Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Quick Facts

• Role: Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

• Core focus: Diagnostic ultrasound exams and support for ultrasound-guided procedures

• Supervision: General supervision of a staff radiologist

Description

Perform diagnostic ultrasound exams using non-ionizing ultrasound waves, tailoring protocols as needed to document normal anatomy and pathology. Apply ultrasound principles to operate and adjust specialized equipment, ensuring scan acceptability and proper patient positioning. Prepare processed media and support ultrasound-guided procedures, while optimizing patient flow and providing clinical instruction to ultrasound students.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform ultrasound procedures requiring independent judgment

• Operate and adjust ultrasound controls (time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction, diffraction)

• Select imaging mode/arrays (non-focused, fixed-focus, linear phased array, annular phased array) and Doppler/Power Doppler options

• Set up equipment, position patients, and manually maneuver the transducer

• Receive and identify patients, explain procedures, and assist patient movement

• Prioritize exams based on procedure urgency

• Perform diagnostic ultrasound across multiple body regions (e.g., abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, thyroid, breast, scrotum)

• Perform vascular studies (central/peripheral/cerebral, ABI, arterial duplex, venous duplex, renal artery duplex, visceral vascular exams)

• Take vascular assessment measurements (upper/lower extremity blood pressure, transcutaneous oximetry/tcpO2)

• Perform preoperative upper/lower extremity vein mapping for vascular surgery

• Assist radiologists with biopsy procedures (lesion localization, depth, needle angle)

• Assist in sterile surgical procedures and fluid aspirations

• Differentiate artifacts from normal/pathologic findings and recognize equipment limitations

• Determine completeness of diagnostic scans; consult radiologist when appropriateness is in question

• Maintain patient records in Vista and schedule/prepare patients for exams

Benefits

• Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13–26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays)

• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment

• Child care subsidy: up to 25% of eligible childcare costs (subject to income and eligibility limits)

• Retirement: traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with up to 5% agency contributions

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many plans carry into retirement)

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination

• Complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment

• Urinalysis drug screening may be required for testing-designated positions

• Seasonal influenza vaccination participation required

• Serve a 1- or 2-year trial period as a condition of employment

• At GS-09: at least 1 year of experience comparable to GS-08 directly related to vascular ultrasound duties and KSAs

• Ability to demonstrate KSAs for vascular ultrasonography, including training/supervision and knowledge of regulatory requirements