Advance Your Career as a Lead Medical Instrument Technician in Fort Riley
Are you a diagnostic imaging professional ready to take the next step into leadership? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently seeking a highly skilled Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound) to join the team at the Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas. This is a unique opportunity to provide critical care support to service members and their families while enjoying the vibrant, outdoor-focused lifestyle of the Flint Hills.
Job Responsibilities
As a lead technician, your day-to-day work involves more than just imaging. You will serve as a technical expert and team lead. Key responsibilities include:
- Complex Diagnostics: Performing advanced ultrasound examinations across multiple organ systems using spectral Doppler, color and power Doppler, and real-time imaging.
- Quality Oversight: Reviewing scans for technical adequacy and ensuring all examinations meet the highest diagnostic standards.
- Clinical Mentorship: Providing instruction to students, military personnel, and residents regarding equipment operation and clinical application.
- Operations Management: Balancing workloads, assigning tasks, and maintaining ultrasound equipment through regular quality control testing and phantom imaging.
Requirements
To qualify for this GS-09 position, you must demonstrate the following:
| Qualification Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Experience | 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-08 level (or equivalent) performing ultrasound procedures. |
| Education | Master's degree in Sonography/Radiology OR 2 years of progressive graduate study. |
| Combination | A combination of education and experience that totals 100% of the requirement. |
Salary Overview
The annual salary range for this position is $72,763 to $94,598, depending on experience and qualifications. Federal compensation packages include locality pay, which adjusts based on the specific market of the job location.
Benefits
Working for the federal government provides a robust suite of benefits designed to support your work-life balance and long-term security:
- Federal health insurance options.
- Comprehensive retirement programs.
- Paid federal holidays and accrued annual/sick leave.
- Potential for student loan repayment.
- Recruitment/Relocation incentives where applicable.
Application Tips
- Mind the Length: Your resume must be two pages or less. Submitting a longer document will result in automatic disqualification.
- Be Specific: Clearly state your hours worked per week and specific clinical duties. Do not assume the reviewer knows your previous job functions.
- Use Plain Language: Avoid overly specific acronyms that might confuse human resources personnel unfamiliar with your specific facility's internal jargon.
If you are an experienced sonographer with a passion for leadership, this role at Irwin Army Community Hospital offers a fulfilling career path. Apply today via the USAJOBS portal to be considered for this mission-essential position.
Why This Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound) Job Matters
Elevate your diagnostic career while supporting those who serve—join the Defense Health Agency team as a Lead Medical Instrument Technician in the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas.
Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound) Job Overview
The Defense Health Agency is seeking an experienced Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound) to join the Irwin Army Community Hospital team at Fort Riley, Kansas. This role is essential to our mission of providing world-class healthcare to service members, retirees, and their families. As a lead technician, you will not only perform high-level diagnostic ultrasound procedures but also oversee technical workflows and provide mentorship to staff and students in a collaborative, mission-critical environment.
Requirements for Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound)
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- One year of specialized experience at the GS-08 level (or equivalent) performing ultrasound procedures, maintaining equipment, and overseeing workload distribution.
- Ability to provide complex diagnostic ultrasound examinations including spectral Doppler, color/power Doppler, and angio techniques.
- Must be able to pass a drug test.
- Must complete a 1-year probationary period.
- Resume must be two pages or less and explicitly detail relevant experience, including hours worked per week.
- If using education to qualify, must provide official transcripts confirming a Master's degree or 2 years of graduate-level study in Sonography or Radiology.
Preferred Qualifications for Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound)
- Certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
- Professional experience in vascular (VT), obstetrics (OB), and/or breast (BR) ultrasound exams.
Federal Benefits & Perks
- ✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
- ✓Competitive salary with potential for locality pay.
- ✓Recruitment or relocation incentives may be available for qualified candidates.
- ✓Student loan repayment program eligibility.
- ✓Generous paid leave and federal holiday schedule.
- ✓Opportunities for professional development and training.
💡 How to Apply Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound) Job & Insider Tips
Application Steps for Lead Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound) Job
- Create or log into your USAJOBS account.
- Review the full announcement and ensure you meet the specialized experience requirements.
- Prepare a resume that is strictly two pages or less.
- Submit your online questionnaire and upload required documentation (including transcripts if substituting education for experience).
- Monitor your application status through your USAJOBS dashboard.
- Ensure all documents are uploaded well before the deadline to account for virus scan delays.
💡 General Tips
- Be concise: Your resume must not exceed two pages; excess pages will be excluded from review.
- Include specific details: Clearly state your start/end dates (month/year), hours worked per week, and a descriptive summary of your duties for each relevant position.
- Avoid acronyms: Use plain language to describe your clinical experience so the HR team can accurately assess your qualifications.
- Check your status: Regularly log in to the USAJOBS portal to verify that your documents have cleared the virus scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a remote position?
No, this position is located at Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas, and requires the incumbent to be on-site.
Can I negotiate my salary?
Salary negotiation may be available for candidates who are new to the federal service.
What happens if my resume is longer than two pages?
The system will remove any resume exceeding two pages from consideration, which will result in an incomplete application.
Is this a permanent position?
This is an open continuous announcement intended to fill vacancies as they arise.
Are relocation expenses covered?
Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized for this position.
Job from Military Treatment Facilities Under Dha
The Defense Health Agency is the backbone of healthcare for the Department of Defense. Operating an integrated health system, the DHA provides comprehensive medical, dental, and pharmacy services to over 9.5 million beneficiaries worldwide. By working at the Irwin Army Community Hospital, you are contributing directly to medical readiness and the long-term well-being of the military community.