Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

About the role

The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) under general supervision operates ultrasound units to obtain diagnostic images of patients, and to provide guidance for invasive procedures to diagnose and treat disease at the VA Maryland Healthcare System, Perry Point.

What you will do

• Receive patients, confirm patient identification, obtain patient history, provide patient education, provide reassurance, and ensure patient comfort.
• Continually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, and privacy.
• Coordinate care to provide service timely to clinical needs.
• Review exam requests for appropriateness before performing exams.
• Use appropriateness criteria, the clinical history provided on the request, patient interview, chart review or contact with the ordering clinician to clarify as needed.
• Present unresolvable discrepancies or deficient indications to the Ultrasound Supervisor or a radiologist.
• Perform comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound exams in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings.
• Exams include, but are not limited to abdomen and pelvis, chest, small parts, musculoskeletal, aortoiliac and venous studies.
• Apply knowledge of anatomy and organ systems to execute appropriate scanning protocols and to modify techniques as needed to optimally demonstrate normal anatomy and pathology.
• Select appropriate transducers and protocols, and optimize settings to acquire high quality diagnostic images.
• Recognize critical results and initiate timely provider notification.
• Consult with radiologists to review findings or perform additional scanning as needed.
• Document exams with appropriate still images, and imaging clips by protocol.
• Complete an exam worksheet highlighting normal and abnormal findings with appropriate measurements to facilitate efficient and precise physician interpretation.
• Support image-guided procedures.
• Facilitate timely review and scheduling of requested procedures.
• Coordinate nursing and other support needed from other services.
• Set up sterile procedure tables.
• Provide support to the procedure as the circulator or scrub tech.
• Support includes, applied knowledge of supplies and materials specific to each case, understanding of procedures and sequence of steps in the procedure to anticipate and facilitate the actions of the radiologist or other practitioner, proficient handling of supplies and specimens, and applied knowledge of sterile technique.
• Receive cytology specimens and prepare diagnostic smears for interpretation.
• Prepare specimens for transport with appropriate labels and orders.
• Delivers specimens to lab as needed.
• Support ultrasound exams and ultrasound-guided procedures from the Women's Health Clinic including, transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided aspiration and biopsy.
• Support ultrasound-guided procedures by other non-radiologist providers such as for thoracentesis, paracentesis, and percutaneous biopsy and drainage.
• Provide sonography students and residents with an affiliated program didactic and hands-on instruction, ensuring a positive learning experience.
• Provide oversight of student performance and progress and provide evaluations to program faculty.
• Provide instruction and support of POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound).
• Assist non-radiologist users in the effective use of ultrasound including, basic principles, image optimization, scanning technique and other facets of use.
• Administrative functions: register exams, status track completed exams using compliant CPT coding.
• Ensure completed exams are properly archived both in PACS and VISTA Imaging Display.
• Apply infection control practices, both general medical center guidelines and those specific to ultrasound such as general transducer disinfection, high level disinfection, transducer covering for sterile procedures.
• Perform general maintenance on equipment such as warm-up and shutdown sequences, calibration, QC and basic troubleshooting.
• Maintain appropriate logs to document equipment performance history.
• Identify deviations from equipment specifications and initiate corrective action.
• Perform basic troubleshooting on sending images to PACS.
• Use CPRS within scope of technologist duties such as chart review, entering progress notes, patient education notes and policy orders.
• Assist in QA and QC data collection, and the development and updating of procedure manuals, training programs, new employee orientation materials, patient education materials and other written guidance. x Initiate and participate in PI (Performance Improvement) activities using appropriate techniques and measures of improvement.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies and materials.
• Apply stocking procedures to ensure organization and integrity of stock, and removal of outdated items.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Week 1 -Tuesday, Thursday, Friday -8:00am - 4:30pm.
• Week 2- Tuesday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #:260480F

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/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.

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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

Area of consideration: Eligible Candidates will be reviewed and referred in following order: 1. Current permanent employees of the VA Maryland Healthcare System 2. All other current permanent VA employees 3.

Other current permanent federal employees 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.

Documents you must provide

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action RESUME REQUIREMENTS: Your resume must include the following information:Contact information: including email address and phone number Job Title and Employer (for each position) Description of duties (be as detailed as possible) Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2018 to April 2020) of employment Full-time or part-time status (include average hours worked per week) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Professional References: Please provide contact information for one current/former supervisor and two professional reference who can speak to your qualifications and work performance Other (2) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

"Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing.

As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care." Receiving Service Credit for 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.