Medical Instrument Technician

Summary The Birmingham VA, Diagnostic Imaging Service is seeking a full-time Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) for the VA Medical Center in Birmingham Alabama. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of the Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) Ultrasound includes, but are not limited to the following: The Incumbent must have the ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations of multiple areas of the body including but not limited to the abdominal, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast and scrotum. In addition, must have the ability to perform vascular studies such as renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal systemic shunts, hemodialysis access both pre-surgery and post-surgery. Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible. Incumbent will be on call and must be available to perform emergency procedures that require use of ultrasound examinations. Technologist(s) are to respond to a page and/or phone call within 15 minute and should arrive on station within one hour of the page or phone call. Additionally they are required to update the AOD on any unexpected delays they may encounter. The Ultrasound Technologist (Sonographer) works basically on his/her own, calling the radiologist in to see areas of interest or of questionable abnormality. Therefore, the technologist must have a good knowledge of medical terminology, laboratory test and value, and an excellent knowledge of formal and abnormal pathology. Must be able to know if a request came for an abdomen ultrasound with a history of hemochromatosis or elevated creatine, the technologist must know what this is and which organs would be affected, in order to do the proper scan. Must be able to know if an abnormality was found while scanning, the technologist needs to know what or if any other areas need to be scanned that would cause this abnormality. Must be able to know sterile technique and be familiar with, as he/she is sometimes called in to surgery to help the surgeon localize an area of excision, and to guide the radiologist or nephrologist into an area for a biopsy. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 3:00pm - 11:30pm, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS0249 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required NOTIFICATIONS: This position is a Bargaining Unit position. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Veterans' preference does not apply for current permanent Federal agency employees. You must include VA form 10-2850 in your application package to be considered for this vacancy. Requirements 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. 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. 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 this grade level 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". 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-8 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade (GS-7) 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: 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. Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc. Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled. 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, Appending G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: ???????Frequently required to stand, walk, bend and reach. Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds. May be required to wear gloves, mask, gown and eye shields during specific procedures. They must have full manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: d.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: d.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.