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The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) position is assigned to the Imaging Service at NWIHCS-Omaha and operates diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two-dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. The ultrasound tech is regarded as the expert source of all ultrasound imaging. 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. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: Basic Developmental Levels: GS-4 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs -OR- Education: Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of basic medical terminology. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs -OR- Education: Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)GS-6 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions 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 KSAs Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions 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 KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: ARRT (radiography) and ARDMS certifications References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard, G27. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8. ["This announcement is open continuous. Certificates will be issued to the hiring manager on a weekly basis until all positions have been filled. Announcement will remain open until all vacancies are filled, and may close sooner than 9/29/2023. Major Duties Include but are not limited to the following: Performs routine/standard ultrasound examinations in a hospital setting. Exam requires proper alignment and position of patient. Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform exam. The spectrum of examination performed includes, but is not limited to abdomen for tumors, stones, cysts, abscesses, hematomas, inflammatory lesions, such as pancreatitis, and sizes of organs and their location, evaluations of abdominal aorta for aneurysm and/or dissection, vascular ultrasound studies to evaluated abdominal vasculature, scrotal, thyroid, and other small parts examinations, GYN and transvaginal exams. Responsible for obtaining pertinent diagnostic examinations through knowledge of both normal and abnormal human anatomy. Knows and understands principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or reject ability of each scan. This includes preparation and supplies, scanning motions, TCG (Time Compensated Gain), Doppler doppler color flow, zoom, or expansion, picture-oriented examination, organ-oriented examination, and initial interpretation of the examination. Interpreting examination requires identifying normal and pathologic appearances. Initial interpretation will be forwarded by ultrasound tech to radiologist before final interpretation is made. Advises radiologist or referring physician of results of exam. Maintains effective control of ultrasound area by coordinating, planning, organizing, and executing the daily work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department. Schedules patient for exams and maintains daily log of patients and procedures to be incorporated into statistical management workload profiles. Enters patients into Computerized Patient Record System. Receives/identifies patients, explains methods of procedures, assists with movement of patients to and from wheelchairs, carts, and tables, positions the patient and performs examinations requested. Coordinates/performs all examination scheduling. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them. Maintains records of patients treated, exams performed, scans taken, etc. Has a thorough knowledge of ultrasound procedures and examinations and keeps abreast of technological advances in the field of ultrasound. Able to incorporate these advances into new examination procedures and in -service educational programs for the radiology technical staff. Supervises and trains rotating ultrasound students and technologists in ultrasound. Maintains a quality assurance program of all ultrasound scanning equipment. Performs preventative maintenance as required. Troubleshoots equipment used in ultrasound and is able to make minor repairs and/or adjustments. Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all equipment. Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to Biomedical service representative. Properly identifies patient images and exams. Ability to vary tests/treatment procedures to compensate for patient's age, individual medical conditions, and body habitus. Interviews patient obtaining pertinent medical history. Explains to competent patients the rational of procedures and instructions on how to complete the procedure. Reports patient history to interpreting radiologists. Knowledge of basic nursing practices and first aid as related to ultrasound including: emergency cardiac arrest procedures, principles of hypodermic, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections, and sterile operating procedures. Assists radiologists and other non-radiologic physicians during ultrasound guided biopsies, drainages, and aspirations. Notifies radiologist immediately when scans require attention, such as ER exams. May perform other related duties as deemed necessary such as, but not limited to, answering telephones, scheduling patients, inventories, room utilization, and equipment maintenance records. Performs independent portable ultrasound examinations. Required to participate in an active on-call schedule on a regular basis. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; Rotating Shifts: 6:30am-3:00pm, 7:00am-3:30pm and 7:30am-4:00pm with on call duties Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: A relocation/recruitment incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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