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This job opportunity announcement (JOA) will be used to fill two (2) Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) vacancies in Diagnostic Imaging Service located within the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System. 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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, please refer to reference mentioned below. 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: 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. OR, 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. 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. OR; 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine, standardized ultrasonography procedures. 2. Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality. 3. Knowledge of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties. 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-7 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 Knowledge, Skills, ad Abilities: 1. 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. 2. Knowledge of zoom, expansion, prospectus, color Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler. 3. Knowledge of the digital transmission of images. 4. Ability to alter standard, but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations. 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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1. 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. 2. Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc. 3. Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled. 4. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations. References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, Appendix 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. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include: heavy lifting of 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying of 15- 44 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time. The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients. ["The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) independently performs standard general imaging and complex ultrasound examinations including non-standard and advanced protocols. The technician uses high frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques for medical imaging purposes. The technician must be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The technician helps with day-to-day processes in the diagnostic ultrasound laboratory and performs highly technical evaluation of the abdomen, pelvis, thorax, thyroids, prostate, kidneys, aorta, scrotum, vascular studies, and interventional procedures. Independently performs standard examinations through knowledge of both normal and abnormal human anatomy. The technician shall perform MSA/PSA functions to include screening, scheduling, and coordinating patient appointments. The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) will be assigned to the Oklahoma City VA Imaging Department. The technician will be available to work various tours. Duties may include but are not limited to; Prepares the ultrasound machine for daily operation, brings system up, checks all self-calibrating parameters. Performs all ultrasound examinations ranging from the routine to the highly specialized. Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam. Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, pelvis, neck, chest and extremities and retroperitoneal space for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders. Technician shall also perform limited vascular imaging, both arterial and venous. Technician knows and understands the principles of ultrasound to approve the acceptability or reject ability of each scan. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm (May vary 30 minutes either way for start time) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53691O/53692O/51639O/51640O/51641O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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