Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

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. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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-06 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: GS-10 Experience: In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-09 level, positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 is 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. 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. 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. 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. 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-10. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
This position is primarily assigned to Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, however, may be assigned to other sites within the Chicago Healthcare System (CHS). The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) performs routine and complex ultrasound examinations. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures, and rearranges patients scheduled to accommodate them. Maintains records and electronic files of patients examined. Cross ­indexes interesting cases for teaching purpose.