This position is located in Cardiopulmonary Service of the West Texas VA Healthcare System, in Big Spring, Texas. Specialty Care Service. This vacancy is being extended until 3/28/2022 or until filled. 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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Preferred Experience: Experience and certification as a Respiratory Therapist are preferred. Advanced experience providing complex treatments and exam procedures. Has assisted in handling complaints and requests from stakeholders/patients. Has provided training on diagnostic equipment and procedures. Experience performing daily maintenance of equipment as it relates to the proper acquisition of data/images. Experience evaluating the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearrange patient priority to accommodate need. Has experience with ordering, tracking and receiving the results of studies. Grade Determinations: SPECIALTY - Echocardiography Technicians operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart walls or the internal structure of the heart and neighboring tissue by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall. Registration is offered 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). Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited. GS-9 Grade Requirements - To qualify for the GS-9 level, you must have 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. NOTE - This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services. For Reference: GS-8 Assignment - This represents the full performance level. Echocardiography 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. They change and develop sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts. They produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound. For Reference: GS-8 KSA's - 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 colorflow Doppler imaging. (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 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. GS-9 KSA's - You must meet the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). 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. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. *Note: Please ensure how you meet these KSAs is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Certifications/Registrations: The following certifications and registrations are desired but are not required at the GS-9 level. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Certification Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G17, Dated 7/7/2012 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9 Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/carrying, 15-44 lbs Straight pulling, Pulling hand over hand, Pushing (1 hour) Use of fingers Both hands required Walking, Standing (1 hour) Repeated bending (1 hour) Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Both eyes required Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors ["Echocardiography Has advance knowledge of complex and treatment and exam procedures and techniques.\nUses independent judgment of clinical cardiology, ultrasound, and Doppler principles.\nProduces diagnostic quality images by manipulating Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow Doppler imaging.\nIdentifies normal echocardiography findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases and record anomalies indicative of diseases, injury, and other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recording of the Doppler.\nConducts cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems, i.e., valvular dysfunction, myocardial wall kinesia, effusions, endocardial lesions, etc.\nAble 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.\nAble 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.\nIncorporates the cause and change and develops sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts.\nIncorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination.\nUses problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate.\nReceives patients, explains procedure and performs exam. Independently sets, calibrates and operates the ultrasound equipment.\nPerforms quality assurance testing on the ultrasound unit using phantom and test checklists for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment. Maintains records of the quality assurance testing so that easy reference is available should servicing be necessary.\nMakes adjustments to the machine when necessary.\nDifferentiates artifacts from normal or pathological processes and recognizes electronic equipment limitation.\nMakes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to ensure accurate results. On basis of findings, determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings.\nRecognizes a diagnostic or non-diagnostic scan and consults with the physician to determine the proper diagnosis.\nResponsible for the quality and quantity of cardiac exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of images.\nPerforms echocardiography independently, without direct supervision.\nElectrocardiography Able to perform Electrocardiograms and Rhythm Strips and recognize artifacts.\nRecognizes critical results and notify the physician.\nKnowledge of pharmacology including the classification and administration of drugs, patient responses, and common dosages as related to this specialty is required.\nAble to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicating medical conditions in order to prepare and position the patient for the prescribed procedure.\nKnowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests.\nKnowledge to apply Holter Monitor and scan Holter tape for physician interpretation.\nRecognizes critical rhythm defects and notify the physician.\nKnowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment.\nMonitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action.\nAble to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing.\nKnowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias.\nKnowledge of pharmacology related to specialized procedures.\nAssists physician with treadmill stress testing including Cardiolite Persantine stress by monitoring patient vials (Heart Rate & Blood Pressure).\nCorroborate with other departments as necessary, including, Imaging, Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical.\nPerforms the all above duties independently; without direct supervision. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Instrument Tech (Echocardiography)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]