The Birmingham VA Health Care System is recruiting for Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) for the Nursing Service. A recruitment incentive (sign on bonus) has been authorized only for grades GS-07 & GS-08. 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. GS-06: To meet the requirements for the GS-06 grade level MIT (Echocardiography) do you possess 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. GS-07: To meet the requirements for the GS-07 grade level MIT (Echocardiography) do you possess at least 1 year of specialized 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 knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with colorflow and some Doppler. 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. GS-08: To meet the requirements for the GS-08 grade level MIT (Echocardiography) do you possess at least 1 year of specialized 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 knowledge of proper performance of endoscopic equipment and procedures. 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 colorflow 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. 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. 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). Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G27. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing duties of this job the Echocardiography Technician is frequently required to stand walk, bend and reach. Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds. ["Major duties include, but are not limited to: Acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound and related diagnostic technologies. Provide a summary of findings to the physician to aid in patient diagnosis and management. Use independent judgment and systematic problem-solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient care. The operator must be able to properly display cardiac and/or vascular structures and blood flow in each of the imaging views. Echocardiography technologist must demonstrate proficiency in the performance of two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler (pulsed wave, continuous wave, and color flow) echocardiographic diagnostic procedures. Visualization of all cardiac chambers, valves, and vessels, with appropriate structural and blood flow measurements, should be provided using a standardized protocol. In addition, the cardiac sonographer must have several important communications and basic safety-related skills. Work Schedule: Full Time Functional Statement #: 51553F; 51334F; 51333F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment Incentive authorized only for grades GS-07 & GS-08."]

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