Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

This position is assigned to the Ultrasound Service (US) within the Radiology Department and supervised by the MRI/US Supervisory Radiologic Technologist (DRT).

***Minimum 1 year Ultrasound experience preferred. MSK Board Certified preferred. Ablation experience preferred.***

Pay ranges listed below for applicants qualifying :
GS06: $63,928 - $83,105
GS07: $71,039 - $92,352
GS08: $78,672 - $102,270
GS09: $83,636 - $108,732
GS10: $89,111 - $115,838

The MIT will provide professional care 100% of the time within the indicated assignment. This position is expected to be fully flexible in support of the needs of the facility and assignments may include both regular tour and off-tour responsibilities in providing routine and non-routine clinical care. The duties and responsibilities of the MIT include but are not limited to the following:

- Use of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine, standardized ultrasonography procedures.
- Use of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality.
- Use of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties.
- Set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and operate the equipment for standardized, routine procedures.- Interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure.
- Coordinate a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative to effectively diagnose patients by using a wide variety of complex imaging exams.
- Use of physical assessments, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions as it pertains to Ultrasound.
- Understand specific regulatory processes, VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions.
- Review medical records, interview patients and communicates with onsite or offsite Radiologist(s) to determine medical appropriateness of requested examination; Review and relay factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
- Gather relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers as it relates to the imaging study.
- Position and image the patient, prepare the processed media for interpretation by a Radiologist and assures images are properly identified with patient demographics and verifies the archiving on the Picture Archiving Computer System (PACS).
- Obtain other pertinent diagnostic examinations (CT, MRI, X-Rays, IR, etc.) for the Radiologist which may be necessary for correlation between the performed exam and the clinical history.
- Provide additional images, when deemed necessary to ensure adequate information for unexpected findings.
- Advise Radiologist(s) of significant abnormalities that require their immediate attention and/or visualization while the patient is undergoing examination.
- Identify patients properly through the Radiology Information System (RIS) interface identifier. This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur. This is done by verifying with each patient verbally using two unique identifiers.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri Days (7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm) W/ Alternating Calls
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 08584F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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. Are you proficient in spoken and written English?

GS-6 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least have 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position?

In addition, can you demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine, standardized ultrasonography procedures.
• Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality.
• Knowledge of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties.
• Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized, routine procedures.
• Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.

GS-7 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least have 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled? This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)::Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation, calibration and function.

• Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex, but standardized procedures.
• Knowledge of zoom, expansion, prospectus, color Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler.
• Knowledge of the digital transmission of images.
• Ability to alter standard, but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

GS-8 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least have 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled? This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body, including, but not limited to, the abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum.
• Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc.
• Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled
• Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

GS-9 Grade Requirements: Do you have 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, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level? This would be specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1

• 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 diagnostic ultrasonography.
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.

Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.

GS-10 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-9) which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level?

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques.
• Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program.
• Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.

Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.

Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year Ultrasound experience preferred. MSK Board Certified preferred. Ablation experience preferred.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

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-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-10.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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/.

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)