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The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) Echocardiography works in the Medical Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center operating medical diagnostic equipment. The MIT is required to perform, independently in both inpatient and outpatient settings, a full range of complex cardiac ultrasound procedures including special procedures and complicated examinations for which there are no standard instructions or procedures . Relocation/Recruitment Incentive Authorized BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. GRADE DETERMINATION: In addition to meeting the above Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Grade Determination criteria below: Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee), GS-04 (a) 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. To receive credit, you must demonstrate experience through job tasks and list hours worked per week in your resume. OR (b) 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. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) showing award of degree or completion of two years of study to receive credit. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs in their resumes: 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee), GS-05 (a) 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. To receive credit, you must demonstrate experience through job tasks and list hours worked per week in your resume. OR (b) 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. You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) showing award of degree or completion of four years of study to receive credit. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs in their resumes: 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography), GS-06 (a) 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. To receive credit, you must demonstrate experience through job tasks and list hours worked per week in your resume. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs in their resumes: Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels. Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle. Knowledge of basic cardiac ultrasound physics and the acoustic mechanisms by which high quality cardiac images are obtained. 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. (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography), GS-07 (a) 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 echocardiographic examinations. To receive credit, you must demonstrate experience through job tasks and list hours worked per week in your resume. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition, the candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs in their resumes: Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with colorflow and some Doppler. 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. Knowledge of the set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms. 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. (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. See Education for Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography), GS-08 information. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 5, 2023 or until this position is filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 20, 2022 and every Tuesday until it closes. Current permanent VA employees, Federal employees from other federal agency, and HPTs should apply under CBST-11751256-23-AYC. The duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) (Echocardiography) includes but is not limited to: Ensures technical quality of his/her work and ensuring procedures are accomplished within the established time frames and are coordinated with the other sections of the hospital. Performs both inpatient and outpatient procedures and ensures that patients requiring emergent or critical procedures are triaged appropriately. The MIT consults with the lead technicians and/or clinical providers regarding triage of emergent or critical procedures. Ensures procedures performed are appropriate and necessary based upon the information provided. This is accomplished independently while complying with established criteria and/or special instructions. In complex cases, the MIT will initiate consultation with experienced technicians for further guidance. Confers with lead technicians regarding special requests, unusual findings, or imaging difficulties. Additionally, the MIT informs experienced technicians of any significant findings that need urgent evaluation. Receives the patient, in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, and explains the purpose and methodology of the procedures in a manner that the patient will understand. The MIT independently positions the patient in accordance to any patient limitations and obtains diagnostic ultrasound images of the heart and all required measurements. The MIT performs specialized cardiac ultrasound examinations, including but not limited to: Transthoracic Echo: Educates and prepares patient for transthoracic echo exam; Acquires high quality, diagnostic images and all required measurements ; and Uses ultrasound picture archiving system to display images for side by side analysis and interpretation by physician. Stress Echo: Educates and prepares patient for stress echo exam; Acquires high quality images before, during, and after exercise stress protocol and as directed by the physician; and Uses ultrasound picture archiving system to display test and post exercise images for side by side analysis and interpretation by physician. Transesophageal Echo: Prepares room and assembles necessary supplies and equipment; Educates and prepares patient for transesophageal exam; Assists in all areas of the transesophageal exam including obtaining, monitoring and documenting vital signs and suctioning. Assists as needed to maintain patient comfort and safety; Maximizes image quality and appropriate image acquisition while a physician manipulates the probe; Uses ultrasound acquisition program to display images for side by side analysis and interpretation by physician; and Follow strict guidelines regarding probe pre-cleaning and sterilization. Contrast Echocardiograms: Educates and prepares patient for echo contrast examination; Ensures proper IV placement for optimal exam quality; and Coordinates with provider and patient to ensure the acquisition of high quality, diagnostic images. Agitated Saline Bubble Echocardiograms: Educates and prepares patient for bubble study exam; Ensures proper IV placement for optimal exam quality; and Coordinates with provider and patient to ensure the acquisition of high quality, diagnostic images. Performs routine and non-routine dimensional and Doppler measurements from digitized images per established protocol and industry standards. Uses knowledge of common computer programs and specialized cardiac ultrasound exam analyzing systems to prepare study for report generation and interpretation maintains procedure and patient records following strict guidelines regarding confidentiality. Maintains scanning equipment calibration, operational techniques and routine maintenance of all peripheral accessories used in conjunction of the ultrasound examination. The MIT is also responsible for the orientation and instruction of new technicians and cardiology fellows, in proper calibration, maintenance and operational techniques of all ultrasound equipment and related accessories. Keeps all equipment and rooms clean following strict environmental guidelines. Maintains continuing education and staying current in the latest ultrasound technology. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for all grades. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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