Massachusetts Veterans Jobs

Summary This Medical Instrument Technician Echocardiography position is located at the West Roxbury Campus of VA Boston Healthcare System in the Specialty Care Service. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. Responsibilities Medical Instrument Technicians for Echocardiography at the GS-9 is above full performance level. The incumbent responsible for performing echocardiography exams which range from the routine to the complex in all echocardiography modalities. Responsibilities also include varied administrative duties, staff development and supervisory functions which may require problem solving, communication and writing skills, as well as knowledge of regulatory and industry compliance and accreditation issues. Duties for the position include but are not limited to: Perform real time 3-dimensional cardiac ultrasound using on-line and off- line computer enhancement and reconstruction technology, 3-dimensional Q-Lab analysis, and 3D cropping tools. Provide training and supervision to students in cutting-edge modalities. Perform basic echocardiograms as well as complex procedures such s stress exercise and dobutamine echocardiograms, saline contrast studies, contrast echocardiography, research protocols, valve cases and assist with transesophageal echocardiograms as needed. Adhere to all lab protocols and adjust the scanning procedures to the specific pathology as it presents itself. Set up and maintain the echocardiography laboratory's transesophageal equipment. Assist the supervisor in writing lab and scanning procedures, protocols and policies for Quality Assurance and IAC accreditation. Assist with special projects and datable operations. Assist in managing and maintaining IAC accreditation for the Echo Lab. Compile QA data, and on an ongoing basis present finding to Medical and Technical Directors. Act as the lab liaison between IAC and the echo lab to ensure all required documents are submitted. Assist in creating ideas to better manage workflow and organization of the laboratory via project management plans. Liaison to triage equipment problems and communication with other departments to correct malfunctions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 523-f03633 Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized NOTIFICATIONS: This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. This position is in the Excepted Service. The incumbent may be required to travel to other Boston VA campuses and CBOC's. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants must be fully qualified by the closing date of this announcement. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiology) GS-9: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8), which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the one year of experience, applicants must also demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow Doppler imaging. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. GS-9 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to Echocardiography. And the potential to acquire the following KSAs: 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 provide for, staff development and training. Preferred Experience: 5 years of experience in adult Echocardiography, ability to travel to satellite location, knowledge of stress treadmill and dobutamine stress echo, knowledge of strain imaging, and knowledge of 3D imaging. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), ARDMS or CCI certification/registry is desirable. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease while pushing an Echo Machine. The incumbent must be able to stand for up to 8-10 hours while providing patient care. The incumbent must be able to lift up to 20 pounds of equipment, supplies and records. The incumbent must be able to manipulate the probes during the procedure, pushing against the patient's chest to obtain the appropriate images. Additionally, the incumbent will be required to transport patients on stretchers, beds and wheelchairs. There is the potential for extended periods of sitting at computer terminals. The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.