Summary

Functions as a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) General Ultrasound sonographer with Vascular imaging. This position is the designated Ultrasonographer responsible of all workflow issues as related to the ultrasound section and the Vascular imaging for all work done at the assigned CBOC.

Qualifications

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge - Skill - and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.

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
• 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
• 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
• 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-9 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8) - 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 specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services: Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body - including - but not limited to - the abdomen - pelvis - transvaginal - chest - small parts - thyroid - breast - and scrotum
• Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral - renal artery - aortic aneurysm - portal-systemic shunts - etc
• Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location - depth - and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled
• Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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
• 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 diagnostic ultrasonography
• *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• *Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• 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
• Preferred Experience: RDMS (Abdomen - Small Parts)
• RVT
• 7+ years experience working in Ultrasound - working independently with a variety of young adults and geriatric populations
• Knowledge of PACS and scheduling
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: Ensures the activities within the Ultrasound section at the clinic are thoroughly completed and takes appropriate action as required to insure their efficient and effective operation
• Responsible for the quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network
• Works with nursing and other clinical supervisors in addressing the Ultrasound Section issues and to support the maintenance of high-quality patient care
• Participates in quality assurance/improvement activities and/or trainings and ensure compliance with JCAHO requirements
• Participates in the compilation and analysis of data on CBOC Ultrasound activities and prepares reports to the supervisor/management team
• Performs in a clinical setting all ultrasound examinations ranging from the routine to the highly specialized studies
• Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan
• Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit - which will affect time - gain - amplitude - velocity - frequency - attenuation - absorption - reflection - scattering - refraction - and diffraction
• Selects between non-focused - fixed-focus - linear phased array - and annular phased array
• Receives/identifies patients (by 2 identifiers) - explains methods of procedures - assists movement of patients to and from wheelchairs - carts and exam tables
• Advises radiologist or referring physician of critical/acute results of exams in a timely manner
• Responsible for 1) protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss - alteration - or unauthorized deletion and 2) following applicable regulations and instruction regarding access to computerized files - release of access codes - etc. - as set out in a computer access agreement which the employee signs
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them - during a busy clinical operation - and performs add on patients throughout the day
• Maintains records of patients treated - exams performed - scans taken - etc
• Accepts duties/assignments outside of his/her normal workstation for purposes of receiving additional training - and to provide needed coverage as determined by his/her supervisor based on patient workload shift/changes and availability of personnel
• Performs technical operation and general technical maintenance of the computer - disk drives - console - imaging devices - etc
• The incumbent assists manufacturer representative and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions in the equipment used - notifies the Supervisor of any failure - or required service
• Uses computer programs with competence and establishes and monitors quality control programs
• Maintains operations log - maintenance - and service reports
• Performs preventative maintenance as required
• Maintains files on patient - computer data - and technical parameters of each examination
• Maintains archives of recording media
• Coordinates daily schedule and consults with clinic physicians - clinical and administrative personnel pertaining to the next day and future day's availability for patient examinations
• Maintains inventory of medical - and computer supplies and initiates procedures to replenish stock and to receive stock supplies
• Work Schedule: Intermittent Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized