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Summary This position is located at VAMC Fayetteville, NC in Cardiology Section of Medical Service. duties include, but are not limited to: EKGs, Exercise tolerance test system (Treadmill), Cardiology Data Storage Systems, Ambulatory Monitoring System (King of Hearts & Holter monitors) Holter/Event Scanner, and Quinton Rehab Cardiac Monitoring system. Responsibilities Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following: incumbent performs echocardiography studies involving analysis of the heart structure and the range of movement of component elements, such as the valves. Diagnostic ultrasound technicians initially interpret and generate measurements of sonographic tracings while they are being generated. Examinations require the constant interaction between the patient and the technician and the equipment. The equipment controls must be continually adjusted to alter amplitude and the position of the probe on the patient's body must be constantly varied depending on the technician's instantaneous recognition of the image being produced. Specific diagnostic patterns must be recognized during the test to be able to perform a proper and complete examination. Judgment and decision-making are inherent in this technology in the false positive and the false negative tracings can be obtained if the technician is not thoroughly familiar with organ pathology and technique. Utilizes Xcelera cardiology storage system. Receives request and/or, consults for procedures. Receives assignment for which clear precedents exist. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures or that have special procedures identified and explained. Incumbent understands and carries out the appropriate requests made by practitioners or seeks assistance of the supervision when an uncommon, unique or new procedure is requested. Instructs patient pre-procedure to ensure confidence and cooperation of patient during procedures. Independently explains various procedures including need for positions on table or treadmill, monitoring equipment, adverse reactions to stressing agents. Explains requirements for accurate monitoring and necessity of diary entries. Answers question by patient and or family members. Diagnostic ultrasound entails the performance of noninvasive examinations involving the application of high frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis of disease. Such examinations may consist of the performance of non imaging amplitude-modulated studies for determining anatomic midline position and foreign body localization, or the performance of imaging studies for visualization and determination of organ position, from structure, and physical consistency. Procedures in the discipline are considered operator (rather than equipment) oriented and require knowledge and ability to recognize organ pathology in order to determine proper equipment settings, through knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and acoustical physics; and understanding of the functioning (including underlying principles) of the equipment. Cardiac Ultrasound examinations at this level are performed independently with little to no supervision of a physician who is responsible for the use and interpretation of the procedures. Performs high quality two-dimensional and M-mode Echocardiograms, and Doppler studies to elucidate the nature of abnormalities found or suspected. Aids in the scheduling, set up, and performance of transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) exam. Determines the diagnostic use of micro activation injections and amyl nitrate inhalation in these studies, and adapts methods to each situation as it arises. This position requires a thorough knowledge of three-dimensional cardiac anatomy and significant understanding of cardiac pathology and physiology in order to identify and eliminate artifacts. Identifies unusual results due to malfunctioning instruments, equipment variations, or test procedures used. Troubleshoots problems and performs routine maintenance and minor repairs to instruments and equipment. Notifies appropriate personnel for major problems with equipment. Identifies medical emergencies and responds appropriately. Develops new procedures for special problems, as they arise, for clinical, education, or research purposes. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Certification: Certification is not required for this occupation; however, at this level the following are strongly desirable Registration by the American Board of Registration of EEG, CNIM &EP Technologists (ABRET) or the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists (AEET). Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). 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-10, Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level: 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 Echocardiography. 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: Individuals at this level plan and direct programs at affiliated medical centers and satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of non-supervisory personnel and at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment; providing echocardiography technician services in more complex and non-standard cases; evaluating new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations; participating as an instructor in the facility's clinical training program; making final decisions on selections based on recommendations from subordinate supervisors or leads; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients. Visual Requirements: This position requires the: Ability to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading doctor's orders and visualizing the hue of patient's skin, wounds, etc. Ability to conduct visual inspections during patient assessment. Ability to accurately read measurements on patient-related equipment; examples include thermometers, mechanical gauges, IV pumps, computer monitors, etc. Ability to accurately perceive depth to move around workspace safely and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff. 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: http://ope.ed.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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.