Employees at this grade level serve as staff Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist at the full performance level and are to be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of ultrasound technology. 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: You must be proficient in spoken and written English. Experience: At the GS-09 level the candidate must possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Examples of experience for this position are but not limited to coordinating a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the application of non-ionizing, high frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis of disease in the clinic or on the wards; performing ultrasonography studies and preparing the processed media for interpretation by the Staff Radiologist; perform percutaneous punctures as directed by the radiologist to perform studies localizing fluid filled areas under ultrasound and employ sterile technique as indicated for punctures and biopsies. 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. 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). Preferred Experience: The preferred candidate will have at least 3 years of experience. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8 ["The Ultrasound Technologist coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the application of non-ionizing, high frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis of disease in the clinic or on the wards. The incumbent performs ultrasonography studies and prepares the processed media for interpretation by the Staff Radiologist. Ultrasound studies performed include the following: Abdomen Liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, abdominal aorta, vena cava and femoral arteries using bi-stable and gray scale real time techniques to evaluate the structures for size, abnormal contour, cysts, tumors and various pathological disorders. Retroperitoneum/Renal Kidneys, adrenal glands, nodes, and urinary bladder using bi-stable and grayscale real time techniques to evaluate. Pelvis Urinary bladder, uterus, ovaries, scrotum, and prostate to be examined with Transrectal Transducer and recorded. Thyroid\nVeins/ Arteries Echo venous exams (DVT studies), carotid arteries, popliteal arteries The incumbent will perform percutaneous punctures as directed by the radiologist to perform studies localizing fluid filled areas under ultrasound and employ sterile technique as indicated for punctures and biopsies. Ward exams are to be at the discretion of the Staff Radiologist and will include: gallbladder, pancreas, and visualization of the intrahepatic biliary system, abdominal vessels, liver, and kidney examinations. The incumbent will also: - Schedule and prepare patients for exams and explain procedures to the patient while performing the studies.\n- Obtain pertinent diagnostic examinations for the physician, which may be necessary for correlation between the ultrasound scan and the clinical history.\n- Differentiate artifacts from normal or pathological processes and recognize electronic equipment limitations.\n- Recognize a diagnostic scan and consult with the Staff Radiologist to determine the proper diagnosis.\n- Provide training to student ultrasonographers from affiliated programs and facilities for the attainment of established program objectives.\n- Practice hospital safety, radiation safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures.\n- Perform picture archival duties. The technologist captures computerized images, applies an algorithm, configures the image and verifies patients information before transmitting them to the picture archive system (PACS). This procedure requires the technologist to have a general knowledge of computer operations. Image manipulation and transmission is critical in computerized ultrasonography; lost data can only be recaptured by repeating the images.\n- Be responsible for the quality assurance of images (positioning, labeling, technique, network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network, and routing of exams for transmission to off-site locations.\n- Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 52043F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not require"]