Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiograph Technician)
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Application
Details
Posted: 14-Nov-24
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, Arizona
Salary: Open
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 816037700
The Phoenix VA Health Care System is hiring a Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiograph Technician). This position works in the Cardiology section of the V AMC. The echocardiography technician has the intimate knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology as related to cardiovascular function. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-8 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and colorflow Doppler imaging. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of careful arm positioning of transducers. Positioning patients who are unconscious or disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Heavy lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees. The number of echo's required is based on ACA waiting time formula. Every effort will be made by the incumbent to meet criteria. ["Major duties include but are not limited to: Must use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound, and Doppler principles. Must use problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate. Records and interprets the result of the exam and presents information and or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician. Performs 2D, M-Mode, continuous and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exam. Performs transthoracic examinations. Performs stress echo cardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals. Assists physician of results of exam. Receives patients, explains procedure and performs exam. Assist Cardiology Fellows in performing and interpreting echo exams. Independently setting, calibrating and operating of machinery. Schedules In-patients for examinations, evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them. Maintains records of patients treated, examinations performed, scans taken, etc. Maintains permanent record of scans in the digital library. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.