Medical Instrument Tech (Echocardiography)

Veterans Health Administration • Sevierville, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The JHQVA Medical Center is recruiting a Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) for the Cardiology Section of the Nursing Service Department at the Dannie A. Carr Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Sevierville. The technician performs echocardiography services and is expected to function proficiently across the Echo Cardiology Lab.

The role involves acquiring and evaluating ultrasound images and Doppler recordings, adapting examination techniques to patient and clinical circumstances, and working with physicians on transesophageal echocardiograms and stress echocardiology procedures. The sonographer applies knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy, pathophysiology, hemodynamics, embryology, ultrasound physics, instrumentation, and blood-flow measurement to recognize normal and abnormal findings. The sonographer integrates echocardiographic findings with other diagnostic and laboratory results, exercises independent judgment to optimize and ensure comprehensive examinations, and records and communicates exam results and possible diagnoses to the interpreting physician.

This is a full-time position scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is onsite at the outpatient clinic; telework is not authorized and the position is not virtual. Travel is not required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, directly related to the duties, demonstrating the knowledge needed to provide all aspects of echocardiography services and meeting the applicable KSAs.
• 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.
• Meet the stated physical requirements, including heavy lifting and carrying of 45 pounds or more, pushing and pulling, reaching, use of both hands, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, and specified correctable near and far vision.
• Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, required onboarding and identification requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination program participation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.
• Five or more years of experience as an Echo Tech.
• Outpatient clinic experience.
• Inpatient experience, including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and stress echo experience.
• CCI or RDCS registration.

Responsibilities

• Identify and record anomalies indicating disease, injury, or other medically significant conditions from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous Doppler recordings.
• Incorporate symptoms and clinical conditions into a plan for ultrasonic diagnostic examination.
• Adapt and develop scanning techniques to account for patient mobility, physical condition or dimensions, prostheses or foreign objects, and the ultrasonic response of different body parts.
• Produce diagnostic-quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound.
• Work with physicians to complete transesophageal echocardiograms and stress echocardiology procedures.
• Recognize normal and abnormal cardiovascular structures, function, and blood-flow patterns using knowledge of cardiovascular and thoracic anatomy, pathophysiology, hemodynamics, and embryology.
• Apply knowledge of ultrasound physics, instrumentation, tissue characteristics, blood-flow measurements, and biological effects of ultrasound.
• Integrate echocardiographic results with other diagnostic tests, clinical laboratory tests, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac catheterization results.
• Use independent judgment and problem-solving skills to optimize and adjust examinations so they are comprehensive and accurate.
• Record and interpret examination results and present information or possible diagnoses to the interpreting physician.
• At the GS-9 level, provide training and supervision in complex examination and treatment procedures, evaluate and initiate performance-improvement projects, and write echocardiography policies, procedures, and protocols, as applicable to the assignment.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on the position and eligibility.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service, with possible prior-service credit subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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