Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Veterans Health Administration • Richmond, VA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician works in the Neurology Department at the Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System (CVHCS) in Richmond, Virginia. The posting summary describes neurodiagnostic duties, including nerve conduction studies, assistance with EMG needle examinations, EEGs, evoked potentials, and research projects. The technician independently operates neurodiagnostic equipment, conducts routine equipment checks, troubleshoots failures, monitors patients for distress, and communicates with patients and healthcare professionals. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available.

The qualifications section also describes echocardiography duties and requirements. Candidates need at least one year of experience comparable to GS-08, including experience conducting diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases. The full performance level is GS-09. Registration as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable, as are Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications. The role requires U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and satisfaction of applicable pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-08, demonstrating the knowledge and skills needed to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases.
• Knowledge of complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques, including training and supervision, performance improvement, and development of echocardiography policies, procedures, and protocols.
• 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.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, physical examination, and required onboarding; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis.
• Meet the seasonal influenza vaccination requirement for VA health care personnel.
• Complete all application requirements in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Only education from institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be used to meet federal employment qualification requirements; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS).
• Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS).
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Grandfathering Provision eligibility, applicable only to current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the stated criteria.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform nerve conduction studies according to laboratory, ASET, and AANEM protocols and standards.
• Recognize patient factors such as limb temperatures or lotions and creams that could affect data acquisition, and take steps to address them.
• Assist physicians with the needle examination portion of EMG procedures.
• Perform high-quality studies for complex and non-routine procedures in demanding environments, including intensive care units and bedside settings.
• Assist with EEGs and Epilepsy Centers of Excellence duties according to EEG lab and ACNS standards.
• Assist with evoked potential studies as needed.
• Assist with EEG research projects.
• Independently operate neurodiagnostic equipment to administer routine and specialized diagnostic procedures.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and adjustment checks, and troubleshoot equipment failures.
• Recognize typical patient reactions to procedures and signs of patient distress.
• Discuss testing indications, value, possible outcomes, prior study results, and limitations with healthcare professionals.
• Communicate orally and in writing with patients, visitors, interdisciplinary teams, and healthcare professionals.
• Coordinate with schedulers to fill schedule gaps with pending patients.
• Call scheduled patients with appointment reminders as the schedule allows.
• Provide training and supervision in complex examination and treatment procedures; evaluate and initiate performance-improvement projects; and write echocardiography policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Manage and supervise employees and provide or arrange staff development and training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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