Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Veterans Health Administration • Bloomington, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The National CARDIO-VET Network is recruiting a Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) to perform advanced cardiovascular testing with cardiology physicians, including transthoracic echocardiograms. The position may require work at multiple duty locations in the Cardiology Hub and Spoke Network, including Danville, Champaign, Decatur, Bloomington, Springfield, Mattoon, and Peoria, Illinois. Travel is expected to be 75%, and a valid driver's license is required.

The technician uses specialized knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, biology, ultrasound physics, and cardiac sonography to produce adequate 2D, 3D, Doppler, and M-mode images of the heart and associated structures. The role includes operating, cleaning, reprocessing, and maintaining reusable department-specific equipment according to manufacturer instructions and standard operating procedures; training and competency validation; supply inventory and ordering; coordination with biomedical engineering; and timely transfer of diagnostic images to the reporting server.

The technician communicates professionally with patients and employees and uses word-processing, data-entry, and VistA systems to manage documents, reports, and imaging data in accordance with VA regulations. The stated work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; compressed or flexible scheduling may be available. Because this is a 24/7 hospital, schedule and assignment flexibility may be required, including rotation of tours or indefinite work on non-administrative tours as determined by the immediate supervisor.

This is a GS-09 position. The full performance level is GS-09. The role requires at least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, along with the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Certification is not required, though it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above; professional cardiac sonographer certification and experience administering ultrasound/echo enhancing agents are preferred.

The position requires the ability to travel to treatment areas while pushing an echo machine, stand for up to 8–10 hours while providing patient care, lift 20 pounds, manipulate probes against patients' chests, and transport Veterans on stretchers, beds, and wheelchairs. It may also involve extended periods sitting at computer terminals.

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 sufficient to train and supervise others, 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, subject to the stated VA non-citizen appointment exception.
• Valid driver's license; expected travel is 75%.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and applicable background/security investigation; selected applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Meet VA onboarding, identification, seasonal influenza vaccination, Selective Service (where applicable), and application-document requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Ability to travel to treatment areas while pushing an echo machine, stand for up to 8–10 hours, lift 20 pounds, manipulate ultrasound probes during procedures, transport Veterans on stretchers, beds, and wheelchairs, and potentially sit for extended periods at computer terminals.

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).
• Experience administering ultrasound/echo enhancing agents.
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced cardiovascular testing with cardiology physicians, including transthoracic echocardiograms.
• Operate diagnostic equipment to obtain 2D, 3D, Doppler, and M-mode images of the heart and associated structures.
• Set up, use, clean, reprocess, and maintain reusable department-specific equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in equipment training and achieve initial competency and ongoing competency validation at least annually.
• 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, data-entry, and VistA systems to store and retrieve files, prepare documents and reports, activate printers, and copy imaging data according to VA regulations.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients and employees in support of cardiac patient care.
• Travel among assigned treatment areas and locations in the Cardiology Hub and Spoke Network.
• Transport Veterans on stretchers, beds, and wheelchairs as needed.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive 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 the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family 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 may be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs.
• Compressed or flexible scheduling may be available at the agency's discretion.

What This Job Offers

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