Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

This position is approved for a 20% Recruitment/Relocation Incentive!

VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

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. 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 are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.

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).

Preferred Experience: For this position it is highly preferred that the MIT be credentialed in at least 2 specialized areas.

Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Ultrasound Technicians operate diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). (See Appendix C) Positions should be assigned to the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT), GS-647 series, when both ultrasound and other modalities which require the delivery of ionizing radiation are performed. Positions in which ultrasound duties are performed exclusively (no other modalities are performed), should be assigned to the Medical Instrument Technician, GS-649 series, since ultrasound duties solely do not require the delivery of ionizing radiation.

Supervisory Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician: Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the work of subordinate technicians. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; providing diagnostic ultrasound technician services in more complex cases; reviewing and making recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures; providing instruction and training to new staff; interviewing candidates for positions; recommending selections, advancements, promotions; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs.

GS-10. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.

(a) Experience. At least 1 year of 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.

1. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques.
2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program.
3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.
4. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
5. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions.

Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) 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.

Special Assignments. There may be a rare non-supervisory position supporting this grade level. Such a position would typically include knowledge of standards of medical practice in applicable medico-legal responsibilities in diagnostic ultrasound procedures; developing protocols and clinical research projects;

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying 15-44 pounds, Pushing 4-8 hours, Reading above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking 4-6 hours, standing, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, 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 and shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability, hearing aid not allowed in MRI, working closely with others and alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, exposure to bodily fluids.

Responsibilities:

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

The incumbent of this position functions as the supervisor for a group of Medical Instrument Technologists at the GS-9 level in the General and Vascular Ultrasound section, of Imaging Services at VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS), a level 1A facility and report to the Chief Technologist.

In addition to performing as a direct patient care sonographer 70% of the time, the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technologist has the overall responsibility for the efficient coordination and performance of the Ultrasound Section using data to effectively manage workload, quality, performance and productivity. The incumbent possesses the skill to develop new policies and ultrasound guidelines as needed. The incumbent works closely with the technologists, radiologists, clinicians and clerical staff to assure optimum quality control, efficient coordination of activities, high quality diagnostic/therapeutic exams, timely results, and patient satisfaction.

Functions:
a. Advises radiologists of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination.
b. Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, small parts, chest and extremities, retroperitoneal space for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders.
c. Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate ultrasound records so that easy recall of patient examinations may be achieved. This requires maintaining a diagnostic log, patient schedule log, and procedure log, editing and when necessary registering patients in the Radiology Information System (RIS).
d. Incumbent will adhere to all infection control procedures according to JC guidelines Additionally, Incumbent shall advise administrative staff of possible infection and patient fall risks along with near accidents and the proper ways to avoid them.
e. Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to insure accurate results based on sonographic findings.

Supervisory Duties
a. Ensures that adequate quantities of Ultrasound supplies are available to meet workload demands through a systemized process of ordering, receipt and inventory control. Assures that Ultrasound procedure rooms are stocked with necessary supplies at all times with special attention to emergent equipment and supplies. Assists in determining costs for specific exams, and projecting costs for budgetary purposes. Coordinates new product evaluation. Recommends methods and products to reduce costs and/or increase quality.
b. Develops and maintains an on-call schedule for Ultrasound technologists. Determines staffing requirements based on past, present, and future workload patterns and develops the weekly/monthly schedules. Organizes staff work assignments, including lunch and break rotations. Reports absences and tardiness to Chief Technologist. Recommends the reassignment of techs if necessary because of call-ins or increased/decreased workload. Coordinates leave requests i.e. vacation schedules, to maintain optimal staffing levels.
c. Trains new technologists in ultrasound procedures to meet VA requirements. Develops formal orientation, training, and evaluation programs. Recommends, coordinates and evaluates new or modified procedures/protocols. Instruct other technologists on specialized tasks and new/modified procedures and policies. Participates in the education of ultrasound technologists as well as other technologists through departmental in-services. Participates in the evaluation of new employees.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 07:00-3:30 with rotating on-call
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $113,577 - $123,043