Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Veterans Health Administration • Fort Meade, SD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) will identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury or other medically significant conditions from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the doppler. They incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination. The cardiac sonographer scans independently and rarely needs assistance. Has excellent knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound and Doppler principles. Must use problem solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate. Records and interprets the results of the exam and presents information and/or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician. Performs 2D, 3D, heart model, MMode, continuous wave and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exams. Performs Transthoracic (TTE) examinations. Operates echo equipment for Transesophageal Echo (TEE), as well as set up tray, including for contrast injections, for TEE, as well as operate equipment during procedure. Starts IVs and injects imaging agent and agitated saline for bubble studies.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled.
• Experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases.
• Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with color flow and some Doppler.
• Ability to conduct cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems, i.e., valvular dysfunction, myocardial wall kinesia, effusions, endocardial lesions, etc.
• Knowledge of the set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms.
• Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex, but standardized procedures.
• Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases.
• Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc.
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography.

Nice To Haves

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury or other medically significant conditions from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the doppler.
• Incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination.
• Scan independently and rarely need assistance.
• Use problem solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate.
• Record and interpret the results of the exam and present information and/or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician.
• Perform 2D, 3D, heart model, MMode, continuous wave and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exams.
• Perform Transthoracic (TTE) examinations.
• Operate echo equipment for Transesophageal Echo (TEE), as well as set up tray, including for contrast injections, for TEE, as well as operate equipment during procedure.
• Start IVs and inject imaging agent and agitated saline for bubble studies.
• Operate gas powered/electric passenger vehicles in order to provide Veteran care in the community.
• Drive in all types of weather and may be subjected to driving in all types of traffic.
• Operate and perform preventative maintenance on vehicles.
• Respond to emergency situations when on the road (traffic accident, damage to property, damage to equipment, injury to self or someone else, vehicle breakdown).
• Perform operator level maintenance of vehicles that includes, but is not limited to, getting gas, monitoring fluid levels, washing the vehicle, checking tire pressure, interior and exterior lights, and documenting any damage or unusual wear on the vehicle or its components.
• Produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow Doppler imaging.
• Adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

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