Summary

This position is in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Southeast Network (VISN 7) - VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta - Georgia located in the Nursing - Hospital Service Line.

Qualifications

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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: 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: 1
• Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels
• 2
• Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle
• 3
• Knowledge of basic cardiac ultrasound physics and the acoustic mechanisms by which high quality cardiac images are obtained
• 4
• 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
• 5
• 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with color flow and some Doppler
• 28 2
• Ability to conduct cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems - i.e. - valvular dysfunction - myocardial wall kinesia - effusions - endocardial lesions - etc
• 3
• Knowledge of the set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms
• 4
• 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
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is 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 echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• 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
• 2
• Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and transesophageal echocardiography
• 5
• 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
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially extended periods of continued walking - standing - stopping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Ability to performs routine - standardized cardiac ultrasound examinations
• Ability to generate adequate gray scale images to define cardiac borders
• Ability to perform Doppler integration of cardiac valves for determination of flow velocities
• Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning and prepping the patient for procedure
• Ability to function as back up technician for performing 12 Lead EKG's and ambulatory ECG/Event monitor placement as needed
• Ability to manage distribution of emergent - urgent - and elective patients in the Echo clinics and will work with supervisors and or service providers to provide an effective utilization of Echo clinics
• Ability to manage Echocardiography images in PACs
• Ability to adapt transducer positioning - instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied
• Ability to perform cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart using scanning techniques to detect incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves - etc
• Ability to acquire images using 3D echo capability
• Ability to follow facility RME policy for cleaning and sterilization process for transesophageal (TEE) probes
• Ability to follow manufactures recommendations for the care and management of the TEE probe
• Ability to complete diagnostic studies ordered by and in collaboration with physicians on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision
• works with coworkers to coordinate appointments/workload according to appropriateness of patients/staffing
• prioritizes in/outpatients and requests throughout the day
• Ability to valuate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations
• Ability to collaborate with supervisor to provide ongoing staff development and training related to Echocardiography to include orientation and training to newly hired staff members
• Oher duties as assigned by department providers/service chief/MIT supervisor
• Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm - Monday-Friday Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54660F
• 54663F
• 54662F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized