Clarification from the agency

Current permanent Facility employees VA Puget Sound Health Care System

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Advanced Level Duties:

• These higher-level duties consist of significant scope, complexity ( difficulty), and range of variety.
• Has knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures; evaluates and initiates performance improvement projects; and writes policies, procedures, and protocols that pertain to diagnostic ultrasonography.
• The incumbent is expected to have the experience and knowledge necessary to support the modality with minimal supervisory guidance to include, propose and implement changes in work processes to enhance patient flow/throughput, problem solve with other departments around the Medical Center to improve interdepartmental communication and relations, coordinate with scheduling and management teams to maximize patient workload, and keep/update quick reference list of material for each exam for purposes of training.
• Independently assists the radiologist using ultrasound techniques in the performance of cyst aspiration and surgical biopsies for the purpose of diagnostic treatment. This requires the use of surgical sterile technique in the preparation and setup of a variety of sterile supplies, including but not limited, to syringes, needles and biopsy guns, while ensuring the patient has been properly prepared for procedure, adhering to all JCAHO guidelines as in timeout procedures and proper labeling of single use mixed injectable.
• Has knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance as they relate to the Ultrasound Department. Experience in readiness preparation, and participates in The Joint Commission inspection. Incumbent is aware of the use of sterilization processes for various invasive equipment, as in biopsy guide handling, disinfectant and sterilization processes, and trans-vaginal probe cleansing procedures, in accordance with JCAHO guidelines.
• Incumbent adheres to all infection control procedures according to JCAHO guidelines, and advises Chief Radiologic Technologist of possible noncompliance with JCAHO standards. Additionally, incumbent shall advise administrative staff of possible infection and patient fall risks, along with near accidents and the proper ways to avoid them.
• Maintains and cleans all RME items in accordance with Radiology, VA, Manufacturer, and other agency standards to eliminate or reduce the risk of infection or other harmful contamination to the patient. Is competent in Low Level and High Level Disinfection, to include Infection Control and Hand Hygiene.
• Has ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Utilizes effective and professional communication skills, oral and written, to interact intra and inter departmentally with a broad range of employees throughout the Medical Center.
• Interprets requests and instructions from medical providers and coordinates them with the appropriate radiologist.
• Has ability to manage and supervise employees, to include each rotation of Ultrasound Student Interns as they fulfill their academic clinical experience requirements.
• Manages the ultrasound schedule and add-on exams with the MSAs.
• Identifies and reports Ultrasound Department system, equipment, and fixture errors/failures to the BioMed
• Department. Follows up on and facilitates their timely service/repair. Assesses and reports on safety within the Ultrasound Department. Has the menu/capability to place work orders.
• Has ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training to include; new full-time Sonographers, temporary staffing Sonographers and each rotation of Ultrasound MSAs, Ultrasound Student Interns, and Body Imaging Resident and Fellow Radiologists, etc.
• Ability and willingness to lead training of new Sonographers and Ultrasound Students, and provide less experienced Sonographers with training and guidance necessary for their development in becoming a more proficient and expert Sonographer.
• Takes an active role in the training aspect of each rotation of Body Imaging Resident and Fellow Radiologists relative to the imaging modality of Ultrasound.
• Periodically implements new Ultrasound machines/equipment to include; employee training, machine setup, loading of protocols, testing, etc. Conducts and/or coordinates employee training for new software/hardware, as it relates to ultrasound machines/equipment and the imaging modality of Ultrasound.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0700-1530
Recruitment Incentive: No Authorized
Permanent Change of Station: Not Authorized
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• 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. (Please upload any transcripts)
• 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". (Please upload certifications into application)

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).

Grade Determinations:GS-9 Medical instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound):
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.
Experience: 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. This would be specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols that pertain to diagnostic ultrasonography.
2. *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
4. *Ability to manage and supervise employees.
5. *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
Special Assignments. Non-supervisory diagnostic ultrasound technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level

Preferred Experience: 3 years General Abdomen OB/GYN and vascular ultrasound experience and ARDMS certifications in at least two

References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27

The vacancy is at above full performance level.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting; moderate carrying; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; depth perception; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability

Environmental Factors: working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work; exposure to ionizing radiation; exposure to body fluids

How you will be evaluated

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

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.