Medical Instrument Tech (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Veterans Health Administration • Coatesville, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Coatesville VA Medical Center and provides ultrasound services to medical, surgical, and psychiatric inpatients and outpatients. The technologist works closely with sonographers, radiology supervisors, radiologists, clinicians, technologists, and clerical staff to support quality control, diagnostic and therapeutic exam results, and patient satisfaction. The role requires independent judgment in addressing employee and patient concerns and resolving process problems affecting daily operations.

The technologist performs routine through highly specialized ultrasound examinations and must be skilled in producing, recognizing, and analyzing ultrasound images and patterns used for diagnosis and treatment. The role requires knowledge of ultrasound image acquisition and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), and the sonographer’s expertise informs the radiologist’s final interpretation. Duties include performing Liver Elastography exams, assisting radiologists with ultrasound-guided steroid injections using sterile technique, and acquiring Doppler, M-mode, image, and Doppler-shift recordings with patient information for radiologist interpretation.

The technologist identifies patients using two identifiers, explains procedures, assists with patient transfers and positioning, and performs requested examinations. They control ultrasound technical factors and select appropriate transducer configurations. They assist the Lead Ultrasound Technologist with routine examination protocols, exercise independent judgment when deviating from standard procedures, and alert the radiologist to significant abnormalities requiring immediate attention.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is not telework or virtual, and relocation or recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station authorization are not available. The full performance level is GS-9.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level and directly related to the position, demonstrating the knowledge needed to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques sufficient to provide training and supervision, evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and write relevant policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• United States citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• For male applicants born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Selected applicants are subject to background and security investigation, pre-employment drug testing, onboarding requirements, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Selected applicants must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Applicants using foreign education to meet qualification requirements must provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with their transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.
• Certification in General Sonography (ARDMS AB) and vascular imaging (RVT) is desired.
• Experience with a GE Logiq E10 is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine through highly specialized ultrasound examinations in a hospital setting.
• Perform Liver Elastography examinations using elastography software.
• Assist radiologists with ultrasound-guided steroid injections, including procedures involving fingers, hands, and shoulders, using sterile technique.
• Acquire images and Doppler signals, M-mode recordings, Doppler-shift recordings, and patient information for radiologist interpretation.
• Identify patients using two patient identifiers, explain procedures, assist patients to and from wheelchairs, position patients, and perform requested examinations.
• Control ultrasound technical factors, including time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction, and diffraction.
• Select the appropriate ultrasound transducer configuration, including non-focused, fixed-focus, linear phased array, or annular phased array.
• Assist the Lead Ultrasound Technologist in establishing protocols for routine examinations.
• Make independent judgments when it is necessary to deviate from standard procedures.
• Advise the radiologist of significant abnormalities requiring immediate attention and visualization during an examination.
• Work with the Sonographer, Radiology Supervisor, radiologist, clinicians, technologists, and clerical staff to support quality control, exam quality, and patient satisfaction.
• Address employee and patient concerns and provide solutions to process problems affecting day-to-day operations.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Eligible selected applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed