Medical Instrument Technician; Echocardiography

Overview

The Echocardiography (ECHO) Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) functions as a member of the Cardiology multidisciplinary team. ECHO technicians operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart walls - or the ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall. Echocardiography technicians at this level are competent - with specialized advanced knowledge and function expertly in all aspects of the Echocardiography Laboratory.

• Basic Requirements:
  • United States 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
  • 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 are desirable
  • Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
  • Physical Requirements:
    
    See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
  • 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
  • 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 (Echocardiography)
    
    Experience:
    
    At least 1 year 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
  • KSAs at the GS-8 next lower grade level listed below
  • This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services
  • Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - two-dimensional - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display - and color flow Doppler imaging
  • Knowledge of normal echo cardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
  • Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves - etc
  • Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and transesophageal echocardiography
  • Ability to adapt transducer positioning - instrument controls - and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings
  • 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
  • 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 Echocardiography
  • * Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
  • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
  • * Ability to manage and supervise employees
  • * Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
  • Certification:
    Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable
  • Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit…