This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2022 or the position is filled. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered until the position is 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. 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. 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). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services. 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. 1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures. *2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Preferred Experience: A minimum of 5+ yrs of previous experience of doing diagnostic echo studies that consist of basic, complex and unusual cases. Certification. Registration 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) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. References: VA Handbook 5005 /15, Part II, Appendix 27, Qualifications and Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019. ["The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) will work under the supervision of the Cardiology Non-Invasive Lab's Supervisor along with the Director, Cardiology Non-Invasive Lab. This individual will provide services to a variety of departments throughout the hospital such as the Cardiac Catherization Lab, Electrophysiology Lab, Recovery Room, Critical Care Units, and Emergency Room. And may be required to assist with Trans-esophageal Echocardiograms. The duties of this position are but not limited to the following: Performs transthoracic echocardiograms on the left ventricle assist device (LVAD) patients. Performs diagnostic cardiac ultrasound: the technician will use M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasound to image the pericardium, cardiac walls, chambers, septa, and valves. Uses Doppler ultrasound to identify and characterize intracardiac blood flow patterns. Performs contrast diagnostic ultrasound, and bubble studies, exercise stress echocardiography and pharmacological stress echocardiography. Operates a diagnostic ultrasound machine to perform a complete echocardiogram. Prepares, performs, and analyzes data of pharmacological stress, exercise stress, and contrast echocardiograms. Prepares preliminary diagnostic report for each echocardiogram done for review by the cardiologist using the Cardiology Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Alerts the physician to findings on the echocardiogram that may require prompt intervention before an official interpretation can be rendered. Organizes daily workload in the echocardiography lab: ordering supplies, assuring optimal space on digitized echo equipment and the Cardiology data base. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday -Friday\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]