Summary

The Oklahoma City VAMC - Diagnostic Imaging Services is recruiting for one (1) Medical Instrument Technologist (Ultrasound). This position will be assigned to the the Oklahoma City - OK VAMC.

Qualifications

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
• 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 aredesirable
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• Grade Determinations: GS-08 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-07 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge - skills - and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• References: VA Handbook 5005/15 - Part II - Appendix G27
• Appendix C - Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Medical Instrument tech provides imaging to the Veterans at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (OKC VA HCS)
• OKC VAJCS is a level 1b major interdisciplinary teaching facility with service-lines serving medical - surgical - and neurological outpatients and inpatients - with a level III emergency department and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCS) Medical Instrument Technologists at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures and more complex studies under complete autonomy
• The technologist functions independently in carrying out these standardized procedures and the most complex studies
• The technologist should be familiar with deviations from regular procedures - anticipate problems - and unfamiliar situations
• The technologist works with the Radiologist to ensure the study is optimal taking only the most complex issues for Radiologist opinion
• At this level the sonographer is more proficient in performing complex exams and may assist other sonographers in the performance of difficult exams
• Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct routine and complex sonography examinations in accordance with infections disease - sterilization - and patient safety protocols - policies - and procedures
• Ensure room is properly stocked and ready each day
• Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic Examination
• Prepare requisitions and schedule for the next day
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information
• Utilizes cross sectional and structural anatomy and physiology to perform examinations
• Prepares for examinations by reviewing patient history - prior imaging studies i.e.: CT - MRI - and prior ultrasound
• Review exam orders for accuracy in relation to reason for study and patient
• history
• Communicate with ordering provider and/or Radiologist for corrections
• Evaluate any contraindications - insufficient patient preparation - and the patient's inability or unwillingness to tolerate the examination and associated procedures
• Communicate with the patient in a manner appropriate to the patient's ability to understand - explains procedure and answers question in regard to the procedure
• Use proper patient positioning tools - devices - equipment adjustment - and ergonomically correct scanning techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety - and to prevent compromised data acquisition and musculoskeletal injury to the sonographer
• Applies protocols to examinations
• Utilizes patient position - scan plane - transducer type - measurements - and Doppler to acquire diagnostic images
• Labels images correctly
• Compensates for imaging artifacts
• Perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the physician in accordance with professional and facility protocols - which includes but not limited to abdomen - Doppler examination of intra- abdominal blood vessels - pelvis - superficial structures - soft tissue - scrotum - and head/neck within the department or as a portable Provides diagnostic images by recognizing normal anatomy versus pathology for all examination types including disease processes
• Assists the radiologist with procedures such as biopsies - paracentesis and thoracentesis utilizing sterile technique
• Determine depth - location and required needle angle for procedure
• Confers and works under direction of the radiologist/physician when performing complex examinations such as renal cyst punctures - organ biopsies and fluid aspiration - as well as intraoperative procedures
• Independently performs various ultrasound exams without direct supervision refers unusual or difficult situation to Staff Radiologist or Supervisor
• Daily workflow is arranged by Supervisor of Ultrasound
• Spot checks on completed exams may be performed by the Radiologist to determine if objectives were achieved
• Performs irregular stand-by duty on a rotational basis to provide 24-hour hospital coverage
• This requires the technologist to be available within 30 minutes from receipt of call so that proper and effective emergency care is provided to the patient
• The Supervisor provides direction on objectives and priorities for new work - deadlines - changes for new and established work
• The employee identifies the work done - plans and carries out the steps required and submits completed work to users without supervisory approval
• The Technologist is to rely on established departmental policy and guidelines when working irregular tours
• Supervisory guidance is available via a phone call or pager
• The Technologist is expected to use sound judgment and standard protocol when making decisions
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 51641-A