Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent Oklahoma City VAMC employees, current permanent Facility, VA employees as well as past, other federal employees current, and future HPTs. Veterans' preference does not apply to this job series. all others must apply to announcement CBSU-12710760-25-JMS Veterans' preference does not apply to this job series.

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The Medical Instrument tech provides imaging to the Veterans at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (OKC VA HCS). OKC VAJCS is a level 1b major interdisciplinary teaching facility with service-lines serving medical, surgical, and neurological outpatients and inpatients, with a level III emergency department and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCS) Medical Instrument Technologists at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures and more complex studies under complete autonomy. The technologist functions independently in carrying out these standardized procedures and the most complex studies. The technologist should be familiar with
deviations from regular procedures, anticipate problems, and unfamiliar situations. The technologist works with the Radiologist to ensure the study is optimal taking only the most complex issues for Radiologist opinion. At this level the sonographer is more proficient in performing complex exams and may assist other sonographers in the performance of difficult exams.

1. Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct routine and complex sonography examinations in accordance with infections disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures. Ensure room is properly stocked and ready each day.
2. Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic Examination.
3. Prepare requisitions and schedule for the next day.
4. Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information.
5. Utilizes cross sectional and structural anatomy and physiology to perform examinations. Prepares for examinations by reviewing patient history, prior imaging studies i.e.: CT, MRI, and prior ultrasound.
6. Review exam orders for accuracy in relation to reason for study and patient. history. Communicate with ordering provider and/or Radiologist for corrections.
7. Evaluate any contraindications, insufficient patient preparation, and the patient's inability or unwillingness to tolerate the examination and associated procedures.
8. Communicate with the patient in a manner appropriate to the patient's ability to understand, explains procedure and answers question in regard to the procedure.
9. Use proper patient positioning tools, devices, equipment adjustment, and ergonomically correct scanning techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety, and to prevent compromised data acquisition and musculoskeletal injury to the sonographer.
10. Applies protocols to examinations. Utilizes patient position, scan plane, transducer type, measurements, and Doppler to acquire diagnostic images.
11. Labels images correctly. Compensates for imaging artifacts.
12. Perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the physician in accordance with professional and facility protocols, which includes but not limited to abdomen, Doppler examination of intra- abdominal blood vessels, pelvis, superficial structures, soft tissue, scrotum, and head/neck within the department or as a portable Provides diagnostic images by recognizing normal anatomy versus pathology for all examination types including disease processes.
13. Assists the radiologist with procedures such as biopsies, paracentesis and thoracentesis utilizing sterile technique. Determine depth, location and required needle angle for procedure.
14. Confers and works under direction of the radiologist/physician when performing complex examinations such as renal cyst punctures, organ biopsies and fluid aspiration, as well as intraoperative procedures.
15. Independently performs various ultrasound exams without direct supervision refers unusual or difficult situation to Staff Radiologist or Supervisor. Daily workflow is arranged by Supervisor of Ultrasound. Spot checks on completed exams may be performed by the Radiologist to determine if objectives were achieved.
16. Performs irregular stand-by duty on a rotational basis to provide 24-hour hospital coverage. This requires the technologist to be available within 30 minutes from receipt of call so that proper and effective emergency care is provided to the patient.
17. The Supervisor provides direction on objectives and priorities for new work, deadlines, changes for new and established work. The employee identifies the work done, plans and carries out the steps required and submits completed work to users without supervisory approval.
18. The Technologist is to rely on established departmental policy and guidelines when working irregular tours. Supervisory guidance is available via a phone call or pager. The Technologist is expected to use sound judgment and standard protocol when making decisions.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53691-A, 53692-A, 51639-A, 51640-A, 51641-A

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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 aredesirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.

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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
OR,
1.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.
Demonstrated 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
OR,
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.
Demonstrated 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
5. procedures.
6. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine.

GS-06
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-05 grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Demonstrated 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.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.

GS-07 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-06 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 KSAs:
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and 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. (c) Certification. Basic Cardiac

GS-08
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-07 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 KSAs:
Demonstrated 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, portalsystemic 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.

Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27; Appendix C - Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

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-04 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current Permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current Permanent federal employees of other agencies.
4. Health Professions Trainees
5. All other applicants.

This is an open continuous announcement. We accept applications for this occupation on an ongoing basis; Applicants will be referred to selecting official on a continual basis until all vacancies are filled OR until the closing date of this announcement.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.