Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Veterans Health Administration • Battle Creek, MI

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The National CARDIO-VET Network is recruiting a Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) to perform advanced cardiovascular testing alongside cardiology physicians, including transthoracic echocardiograms. The role requires specialized knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology and biology, ultrasound physics, and cardiac sonography, along with the ability to operate diagnostic equipment to obtain 2D, 3D, Doppler, and M-mode images of the heart and related structures. The technician communicates professionally with patients and employees and follows approved equipment-cleaning procedures.

The technician sets up, uses, reprocesses, and maintains reusable unit- or department-specific equipment in accordance with the equipment standard operating procedure (SOP). The position includes training in those procedures, initial competency validation, and ongoing competency validation at least annually. The technician manages inventory and coordinates supply orders, works with biomedical engineering to maintain cardiac ultrasound equipment, and ensures diagnostic images are transferred promptly to the reporting server for inpatient and outpatient exams.

The role also uses word-processing and data-entry software, including Excel, to store and retrieve electronic files, activate printers, format reports and correspondence, and copy imaging data for internal or external providers according to VA regulations. The technician uses VistA to access the medical center computer system. The position requires 75% travel to duty locations within the Cardiology Hub and Spoke Network in the assigned area, including Battle Creek, Michigan. A valid driver's license is required. The schedule is 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; flexibility may be needed because the hospital operates 24/7, and some positions may rotate tours or work non-administrative tours as determined by the supervisor. A compressed work schedule is available at the agency's discretion.

This is a GS-09 position. Applicants must have at least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade, demonstrating relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities. The position may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory and involves advanced assignments. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Certification is not required, though it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above; the posting strongly prefers RCS or RDCS certification and experience administering ultrasound/echo enhancing agents.

Physical duties include traveling through treatment areas while pushing an echo machine, standing for 8–10 hours while providing patient care, lifting up to 20 pounds, manipulating probes and pressing them against patients' chests, and transporting Veterans on stretchers, beds, and wheelchairs. The role may also involve extended periods sitting at computer terminals and requires proper preventive ergonomic techniques.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the position.
• Knowledge of complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques to train and supervise their performance, evaluate and initiate performance-improvement projects, and write 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 provide or arrange staff development and training.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to meet physical requirements, including standing for 8–10 hours, lifting 20 pounds, manipulating ultrasound probes, pushing an echo machine, and transporting Veterans on stretchers, beds, and wheelchairs.
• Subject to background/security investigation and required pre-employment physical evaluation; selected applicants must complete onboarding and required application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to pre-employment urinalysis; refusal results in denial of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Professional certification as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is strongly preferred.
• Experience administering ultrasound/echo enhancing agents is strongly preferred.
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced cardiovascular testing with cardiology physicians, including transthoracic echocardiograms.
• Operate diagnostic equipment to acquire 2D, 3D, Doppler, and M-mode images of the heart and associated structures.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients and employees to support cardiac patient procedures.
• Set up, use, reprocess, and maintain reusable unit- or department-specific equipment in accordance with equipment SOPs.
• Participate in equipment setup, use, reprocessing, and maintenance training, and complete initial and at least annual ongoing competency validation.
• Maintain inventory and coordinate ordering of supplies needed for echocardiograms.
• Work with biomedical engineering to maintain cardiac ultrasound equipment.
• Transfer diagnostic images promptly to the reporting server for inpatient and outpatient examinations.
• Use word-processing and data-entry software, including Excel, to store and retrieve files, activate printers, format reports and correspondence, and copy imaging data according to VA regulations.
• Use VistA to access information in the medical center computer system.
• Travel to duty locations in the Cardiology Hub and Spoke Network, with expected travel of 75%.
• Travel to treatment areas while pushing an echo machine and transport Veterans on stretchers, beds, and wheelchairs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or agency needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can continue into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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