This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more BASIC REQUIREMENTS a. 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.) b. 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. c. 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. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part GRADE REQUIREMENTS GS-10. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. (a) Experience. At least 1 year of 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. 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. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques. *2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program. *3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. *4. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. *5. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions. (c) Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. (d) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 1. Special Assignments. There may be a rare non-supervisory position supporting this grade level. Such a position would typically include knowledge of standards of medical practice in applicable medico-legal responsibilities in diagnostic ultrasound procedures; developing protocols and clinical research projects; developing and updating technical policy and procedure manuals; as well as teaching the correct methodology of diagnostic ultrasound procedures, theory of operations, and theory of interpretation of results to trainees. Preferred experience: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) ["The Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound and Vascular) coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative in the application of non-ionizing high frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis of disease in the clinic or on the wards. Duties include but are not limited to:\n1. The incumbent performs general ultrasonography studies, records, and processes images and prepares the processed media for interpretation by the Staff Radiologist. Assures images are properly identified with patient demographics and verifies archiving on PACS. The studies include: Abdomen - liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, abdominal aorta, vena cava and using Gray Scale, Real Time, and multiple Doppler techniques to evaluate these structures for size, abnormal contour, cysts, tumors, and various pathological disorders. Retroperitoneum - kidneys, adrenal glands, nodes, and urinary bladder using Gray Scale, Real Time and multiple Doppler techniques. Pelvis - urinary bladder, scrotum, prostate. Female pelvis performed with transabdominal and/ or Endo cavity probe for ovaries, and uterus. Miscellaneous scans (small parts) to include thyroid, skin lesions, baker's cyst, hernias, etc. Vascular studies: upper and lower\nextremities (venous)\n2. In addition to the duties in general ultrasound, technicians will be responsible for performing\nrenal doppler, hepatic doppler, mesenteric, TIPS duplex evaluation, Renal Transplant duplex, AV fistula surveys/ grafts and other vascular studies as deemed necessary by the Ultrasound\nSupervisor and Chief Radiologist.\n3. Works with the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound Multiple Function) to\ndevelop and expand the vascular studies offered within the radiology department.\n4. Assists the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound Multiple Function) in\ncollecting vascular correlative data from angiography and vascular surgery.\n5. Incumbent performs percutaneous punctures as directed by the Radiologist. The technician\nperforms studies localizing fluid filled areas under ultrasound and employs sterile technique as\nindicated for punctures and biopsies.\n6. Assist with schedules as required and prepares patients for exams and explains procedures to patients while performing the studies.\n7. Obtains pertinent diagnostic examinations for the physician, which may be necessary for\ncorrelation between the ultrasound scan and the clinical history.\n8. Differentiates artifacts from normal or pathological processes and recognizes electronic\nequipment limitations.\n9. Consults with the Staff Radiologist to determine the proper diagnosis.\n10. Maintains and stocks all supplies used in the ultrasound work area. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm with Call-Rotation, based on agency needs\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: FS50000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants\nEDRP Authorized: Contact jacob.towner@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]