Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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: 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"
• 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-0649-09 Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) Experience: One year of experience of the assignments and knowledge, skills and abilities, equivalent to the GS-08 grade level
• (GS-08 assignments and knowledge, skills and abilities listed below) Assignment GS-08
• At this level the technician is required to perform a full range of procedures including special complicated examinations for which there are no standard instructions or procedures
• They perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units, emergency room, surgery, and throughout the Medical Center when required
• They also work independently on evenings, nights, and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call
• GS-08 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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, portalsystemic 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
• GS-0649-09 Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience required for the GS-09 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1
• 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
• *2
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• 3
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• Certification: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) is highly desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level
• Assignment: 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
• Preferred Experience: Vascular and general diagnostic ultrasound
• 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-09
• Physical Requirements: Position requires long periods of standing and walking, some bending, lifting, and carrying of moderately heavy items
• Requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Ability to reach above shoulder required
• Both hands and use of fingers required
• Must be able to lift, carry and move heavy equipment/patients routinely.