Cardiology Section of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. Echo technicians at this level identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. They incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination.
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: Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University. [(1) Training.] Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for- month basis through the GS-5 level. [(2)] Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices. GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this level may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and duties. (a) Experience. At least 1 year experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. 1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to Echocardiography. *2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. *4. Ability to manage and supervise employees. *5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. (c) Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. Preferred Experience: Holter Scanning & Vascular Ultrasound Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation, see duty section for essential duties of this position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The primary duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) may include but are not limited to: Ensures the intimate knowledge of thoracic and vascular anatomy and physiology as related to cardiovascular function. At the full performance level, performs stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals [e.g. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiograms], performs transthoracic examinations, and transesophageal examinations (including 3D TEE). Performs carotid duplex studies, peripheral venous and arterial studies, aorta studies, transcranial doppler, vein mapping, hemodialysis access studies, and ankle brachial index with and without exercise, but this is not strictly required. Conducts time studies with electrocardio corder (Holter) and scans for the presence of a variety of arrhythmias on the electrocardio canner. Responsible for attaching the Holter electrodes to the patient and removing them at the end of study. Upon the completion of the scanning study the recording is processed through the electrocardio scanner and a final patient report is developed for physician review and signature. Responsible for operating EKG machine to perform EKGs independently and in coordination with treadmill equipment and cardio scope monitor to evaluate patient's capacity for exercise tolerance in coordination with increasing physical stress. Assures patient's condition, vital signs, and other diagnostic information is recorded in accordance with established practices. A scanning study report is generated for physician review and signature. Will work at multiple locations, including New Orleans as well other CBOC locations within the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System. This includes, but is not limited to: Slidell, Hammond, St John and Baton Rouge. Assigned to Medicine Service, Cardiology Section. Ensures following guidelines set by departmental and SLVHCS policies. Cardiology physicians, available for consultation and advice, place considerable reliance on technician's knowledge of complex diagnostic procedures. Situations encountered by the echo technician that are not covered by usual guidelines are referred to the physician in charge of the patient. Ensures productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible. Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 629-01233-F