Medical Instrument Technician - Diagnostic Ultrasound

Veterans Health Administration • Syracuse, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician - Diagnostic Ultrasound position is in the Clinical Support ICC Imaging Service, Ultrasound Section at the Syracuse VAMC, a tertiary care facility that provides acute medical, surgical, rehabilitative, emergency, and intensive care services, along with outpatient specialty services, a spinal cord injury center, and primary care and specialty programs.

The General and Vascular Ultrasound Technologist coordinates and performs examinations for assigned patients, collaborating with technologists, radiologists, clinicians, and clerical staff to support quality control, efficient operations, diagnostic quality, and patient satisfaction. The position performs complex general and vascular ultrasound examinations and ensures high-quality imaging for radiologist interpretation. It uses filmless radiology methods, including PACS, and requires competency in diagnostic general and vascular ultrasound.

The technologist gathers relevant information from patient electronic charts and PACS images, determines appropriate procedures based on imaging findings, makes equipment adjustments, and communicates significant abnormalities to the appropriate physician. The role also includes distributing examinations for interpretation, maintaining patient and procedure records in relevant systems, transferring images to PACS, supporting equipment quality assurance, maintaining supplies and a clean, sanitary work area, and providing training to staff and students. The position safeguards sensitive and electronic information in accordance with applicable privacy laws and policies.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized. The position is at the GS-9 level, with a full performance level of GS-9.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, demonstrating knowledge needed to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services.
• Knowledge of complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques sufficient to train and supervise others, evaluate and initiate performance-improvement projects, and write policies, procedures, and protocols for diagnostic ultrasonography.
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
• Ability to manage and supervise employees.
• Ability to provide or arrange staff development and training.
• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable VA rules.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to meet applicable background/security, pre-employment physical, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Selected applicants must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification for continued employment after that period.

Nice To Haves

• Two to three years of employed diagnostic general and advanced vascular ultrasound experience.
• Registration by ARRT with certification in Sonography or Vascular Sonography, or registration by ARDMS, preferably in AB or VT; certification is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform examinations for assigned patients, ensuring assignments are completed promptly and effectively.
• Coordinate activities with technologists, radiologists, clinicians, and clerical staff to support quality control, efficient service, high-quality diagnostic results, and patient satisfaction.
• Carry out and communicate Radiology Service goals, objectives, and work plans to the Ultrasound team, and work with management to support high-quality imaging.
• Monitor performance and help ensure high-quality care in the ultrasound section.
• Perform complex diagnostic general and vascular ultrasound examinations, including vascular examinations of the abdomen, neck, chest, and extremities.
• Use ultrasound imaging findings to determine necessary procedures and make multiple equipment settings and adjustments to obtain accurate results.
• Use independent interpretation of ultrasound images and advise radiologists, vascular physicians, or referring physicians of significant abnormalities requiring immediate attention while the patient is undergoing examination.
• Gather patient-chart information and PACS images so radiologists can correlate examinations with other studies for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
• Distribute examinations and related information promptly to the radiologist responsible for interpretation.
• Maintain diagnostic, patient schedule, and procedure logs; maintain records and files of examinations; and edit or register patients in RIS and the VISTA/HIS-RIS systems as needed.
• Transfer digital images from ultrasound systems to PACS.
• Assist with ultrasound equipment quality-assurance testing and maintain quality-assurance records.
• Maintain adequate supplies and equipment and keep the ultrasound area clean and sanitary, using aseptic techniques during examinations.
• Proctor students in the Upstate Medical school's allied health ultrasound technology program and provide staff and student training on ultrasound procedures and processes.
• Stay current with developments in the field and perform other related duties as assigned.
• Protect sensitive and electronic files under the Privacy Act and applicable laws, regulations, statutes, and policies.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited based on prior federal work or military service, subject to prior request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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