Summary

An Echocardiography Technician at this level is responsible for performing echocardiography exams which range from the routine to the complex in all echocardiography modalities - which may require problem solving - communication and writing skills - as well as knowledge of regulatory and industry compliance and accreditation issues.

Qualifications

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
• 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
• Certification
• No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification and registered by either ARDMS as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer or CCI as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer
• Grade Determinations: GS-8 Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level of GS-7 which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• Examples of this specialized experience include - but not limited too: perform a range of standard - but complex - echocardiographic examinations with responsibility for calibrating all instruments prior to the procedure - expected to keep an accurate record of tests - daily logs - and videotapes - and maintain cidex logs
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities 1
• Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - two-dimensional - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display - and color flow Doppler imaging
• Ability to produce diagnostic quality - 3D imaging - dynamic heart model - and strain imaging when needed
• 2
• Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and assist with transesophageal echocardiography
• 5
• 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: Essential requirements include - bending - pushing - pulling - reaching and occasional kneeling - crawling and squatting
• lifting - carrying - bending - and manipulation of equipment
• patient assistance and positioning
• walking and prolonged standing
• the ability to read written orders - computer screens - patient records - and equipment controls
• and the ability to communicate with patients - physicians - and coworkers
• Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality
• Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients
• Must have the ability to make critical decisions - interact with patients of different ages and health conditions - maintain patient confidentiality and work under stressful conditions

Duties

• Duties: The duties include - but are not limited too: Echocardiography Technician is under the general supervision of the Supervisory Echocardiography Technician
• The employee is responsible for planning and carrying out their assignment - resolving independently most of the conflicts that arise - coordinating with VA staff and affiliates as necessary - and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives
• The Echo Technician keeps the Supervisory Echo Technician informed of progress and potentially controversial matters
• Duties include providing Echo services in more complex cases
• The Echo Technician performs studies independent of physician over-the shoulder supervision
• Although each study follows an overall standard format approved by the Chief of Cardiology - he/she is expected to modify the study to demonstrate any unexpected abnormalities encountered during the study
• In practically all cases the Echo Technician handles all problems and deviations - rarely consulting the physician
• The Echo Tech communicates life-threatening abnormalities and critical results to the appropriate physician(s) in a timely manner
• The Echo Technician must have knowledge of regulatory requirements for Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and lab accreditation issues (IAC)
• In the absence of the Supervisory Echo Tech - the GS-8 Echo Technician may be asked to assume the responsibilities of supervising the Echo lab if need be
• The incumbent must assist the supervisor in writing lab procedures - protocols and policies for Quality Assurance and IAC accreditation (as needed) - in addition to assisting with special projects and database operations
• Work Schedule: TOD 10 hours - 4 days a week Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 0000