Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

ABOUT THE ROLE This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Southeast Network (VISN 7), at the VA Augusta Health Care System in Augusta, Georgia. The incumbent operates diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross-sectional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional images for disease diagnosis. The role involves working off-hour shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed. This is a permanent, full-time position in the Excepted Service. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Perform a full range of ultrasound procedures, including special complicated examinations without standard instructions. - Conduct independent portable ultrasound examinations in intensive care units, emergency rooms, surgery, and throughout the Medical Center. - Operate ultrasound equipment independently during evenings, nights, and weekends as scheduled or on call. - Set up and adjust equipment, manually maneuver transducers, and optimize image quality using knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave physics. - Record and process images for interpretation by staff Radiologists or residents. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen. Education: No specific educational requirements; education may substitute for experience only at GS-4 and GS-5 levels. Licensure/Certification: Not required, but registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is strongly desirable for GS-6 and above. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. English Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade-Specific Experience Requirements: GS-6: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade. Must demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, tissue harmonics, soundwave physics, and ability to operate equipment for routine procedures. GS-7: At least 1 year of experience comparable to GS-6. Must demonstrate ability to independently conduct difficult but standardized exams, knowledge of Doppler techniques and digital image transmission, and ability to alter protocols for patient needs. GS-8 (Full Performance Level): At least 1 year of experience comparable to GS-7. Must demonstrate ability to perform exams on multiple body areas (abdomen, pelvis, vascular, etc.), assist with biopsies and surgical procedures, and handle complex, non-standardized cases independently. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment. - Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959. - Must pass pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation. - Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is mandatory for all Health Care Personnel. - Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period upon acceptance. - Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position. - Relocation assistance and sign-on bonuses are not authorized. SELECTION PROCESS - Applications will be reviewed for qualification and eligibility after the vacancy closes. - A referral certificate will be issued to qualified applicants. - Referred applicants may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. - All interviews will use the same set of job-related questions to ensure fairness. - Pre-employment reference checks will be performed. - Final notification will be sent once a selection decision is made. HOW TO APPLY - Apply online via USAJOBS by creating an account or logging in. - Complete the full occupational questionnaire. - Upload required documents: 1. Resume: Use the standard Clinical Resume Document (one-page, unmodified) found at the provided VA link, uploaded into the 'Resume' field. 2. Full Resume/CV: May be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document field. 3. Supporting Documents: Transcripts (if using education to qualify), SF-50s (for current/former Federal employees), licenses, certifications, DD-214, etc. - Submit the complete application package by 11:59 PM (ET) on September 30, 2026. - Contact: Jose Pena, Phone: 404-321-6111, Email: Jose.Pena2@va.gov. EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Work Schedule: 1:30pm - 12:00am, Tuesday-Friday OR 7:30pm - 6:00am, Tuesday-Friday. - Paid Time Off: 37-50 days annually (13-26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 Federal holidays). - Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment. - Child Care Subsidy: Eligible after 60 days for families with income below $144,000. - Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 401K with up to 5% VA contribution. - Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance available. - Union Representation: Yes. - Drug Test: Required. - Security Clearance: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk background check required.