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The Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiovascular), GS-0649-09, is located within Medical Service at the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia South Carolina. The position works under the general supervision of Cardiology Leadership and most assignments at this grade level are handled independently. 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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Grade Determinations: Experience: 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. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services. Ability to work with Biomed to ensure completion of required electrical testing and maintenance logs. Accepts verbal orders in the case of an emergency and record entries into the patient's medical record for the procedure performed. Assists in providing training and supervision of the ultrasound equipment, diagnostic image acquisition and interpretation of echocardiograms and vascular studies to the cardiologists, cardiology fellows, sonography students as well as fellow physicians, medical residents, medical students and other staff as needed. Ability to identify complex cardiac imaging and diagnostic procedures, i.e. cardiac catheterization, auscultation, electrocardiograms (ECG), myocardial perfusion studies and electrophysiology procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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. Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) and Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) and Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/15; Part II; Appendix G27 dated 3/17/06.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-09. Physical Requirements: The incumbent will work with a diverse, integrated team of physicians, nurses, research physiologists, students and engineers in an intellectually stimulating environment. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to handle high stress situations due to the critical nature of the patient population and procedures performed. The incumbent must possess the physical and mental health of the position. Incumbent must be able to wear a lead apron for extended periods of time. The incumbent engages in physical activities that involve lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, balancing, and kneeling to provide patient care in a changing environment. ["** This announcement is open to US Citizens. Current and permanent employees of the Department of Veteran Affairs please apply to announcement number: CBTB-11440468-22-TA** The Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiovascular), GS-0649-09, at this level must function proficiently in all aspects of the non-invasive laboratory as a senior technician. Duties for the position include but are not limited to: Produces high quality diagnostic images and Doppler, continuous wave Doppler, color flow Doppler, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), x-Plane imaging and 3D imaging modes. Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and/or incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves. Identifies the need and perform complementary ultrasonic examinations when clinically indicated (including noninvasive) transthoracic echocardiography, strain studies, bubble studies, contrast echocardiography, stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. Assists the Cardiologist with stress echocardiography (pharmacological). Acquires diagnostic quality images in 90 seconds or less for assessment of cardiac anatomy, pathology and function during a pharmacological induced stress assessment. Correctly identifies which echocardiogram calculations are clinically indicated and properly perform all measurements and calculations for each individual cardiac ultrasound. Operates the instruments to extract the highest quality image utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter, and sample volume. Adhere to all departmental, service, hospital, agency, and national regulations and policies. Perform basic vascular examinations such as lower extremity duplex, carotid duplex, upper extremity duplex. Performs complex procedures such as stent evaluation, graft evaluation, abdominal aorta duplex, venous insufficiency and other vascular examinations as needed. Other duties as assigned. Additional Knowledge and Skills required for position: Functional knowledge of RME guidelines for sterilization process for TEE probes to include pre-cleaning and disinfection. Performs proper cleaning of the machine, probes and ECG leads according to manufacture recommendations and facility guidelines. Possess intimate knowledge to effectively operate GE and /or Phillip Ultrasound and FLOLAB Machines and assist in evaluation of new equipment and make recommendations resulting in improved diagnostic quality and increased efficiency in collection and analysis of cardiac ultrasound data. Completes diagnostic studies ordered by, and in collaboration, with physician on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision; coordinates appointments/workload according to appropriateness of patients/staffing. Manages Vascular Ultrasound and Echocardiography images in Centricity, GE, Phillips along with other software packages and copy to CD. Obtains a Physician order and coordinate performance of contrast echocardiography with the Nursing staff. Other duties as assigned in the cardiology non-invasive department to include completion of 12 lead ECG studies, cardiac event monitor placement and vital signs. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ; Tour of duty subject to change to meet the needs of the agency.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiovascular)/PD0000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]