Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Veterans Health Administration • Martinsburg, WV

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) works in the Diagnostic Imaging service at the Martinsburg West Virginia VA Medical Center. The technician independently performs diagnostic ultrasound examinations using non-ionizing, high-frequency ultrasonic waves, applying technical judgment and initiative in clinical and inpatient settings. The role includes a full range of general and vascular ultrasound procedures, including complex examinations, and may involve assisting radiologists with biopsies, surgical procedures, and fluid aspirations. The technician prepares studies and processed media for interpretation by a staff radiologist and maintains patient records in the VistA radiology package. The position is full time, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not available; the position is not virtual. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized, but permanent change of station is not authorized.

Requirements

• One year of experience performing assignments and demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent to the GS-08 level.
• Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations of multiple body areas, including the abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal area, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum.
• Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, and portal-systemic shunt examinations.
• Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures by determining the lesion location, depth, and required needle angle.
• Ability to assist with surgical procedures and fluid aspirations.
• Knowledge of complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques sufficient to train and supervise others, evaluate and initiate performance-improvement projects, and write diagnostic-ultrasonography policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must complete applicable pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements, including drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, and required seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to evaluation and written certification for continued employment.
• Must be able to meet the physical demands of the position, including prolonged standing and walking, bending, lifting and carrying moderately heavy items, working in awkward positions, reaching above the shoulder, and routinely moving heavy equipment or patients.

Nice To Haves

• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) is highly desirable.
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is desirable.
• Vascular and general diagnostic experience is preferred.
• ARDMS certification is preferred.
• RVT certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Control ultrasound equipment technical factors, including time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction, and diffraction.
• Select the appropriate transducer configuration, set up and adjust equipment, and manually maneuver the transducer to perform examinations.
• Receive and identify patients, explain procedures, assist patients moving between wheelchairs, carts, and tables, position patients, and perform requested examinations.
• Evaluate the urgency of critical and emergency procedures and rearrange priorities as needed.
• Perform ultrasonography studies, record results, and prepare processed media for interpretation by a staff radiologist.
• Maintain patient records in the VistA radiology package.
• Schedule and prepare patients for examinations and explain procedures while performing studies.
• Obtain pertinent diagnostic examinations for physician correlation with ultrasound findings and clinical history.
• Perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal area, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum.
• Perform vascular studies, including carotid duplex, ABI, arterial duplex, venous duplex, renal artery duplex, and visceral vascular examinations of the abdomen.
• Perform preoperative upper- and lower-extremity vein mapping and chronic venous insufficiency studies.
• Assist radiologists with biopsy procedures by determining lesion location, depth, and required needle angle.
• Assist with surgical procedures and fluid aspirations using sterile technique and enforcing sterile practices.
• Recognize diagnostic scans and consult with the staff radiologist to determine the proper diagnosis.
• Perform other assigned tasks and duties.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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