Summary The Medical Instrument Technician (vascular) functions as a senior vascular technician/sonographer. The technician is expected to perform a full range of noninvasive diagnostic vascular examinations including the most complex and non-routine, to assist in diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders affecting the vascular system. The technician performs examinations on inpatient and outpatient Veterans within the peripheral vascular (PV) lab, at the bedside and within the operating room. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Demonstrate a deep understanding of vascular hemodynamics and ultrasound physics to perform and interpret diagnostic examinations. Operate medical equipment proficiently to obtain high-quality images and data using the appropriate technical settings. Accurately obtain data, document pathology, and quantify disease for diagnostic purposes. Perform a full range of non-invasive diagnostic vascular examinations ensuring high-quality imaging and physiologic data acquisition using Doppler, B-mode, duplex imaging, segmental pressures, and photoplethysmography. Produce preliminary interpretations to assist providers in clinical decision-making and management. Obtain patient history and conduct appropriate physical assessments, including observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation. Adhere to established examination protocols while recognizing indications for further investigation beyond established and standardized procedures. Coordinate inpatient and emergent outpatient PV Lab appointments. Effectively communicate with supervisors, peers, and subordinates through various channels. Exercise critical thinking to identify and address the strengths and weaknesses of potential solutions. Stay up-to-date with relevant technical knowledge and apply new learning to the job. Effectively navigate and operate the facility's computer systems efficiently for electronic communication, request generation, report production, and diagnostic image transfer/viewing. Support the facility's research program by performing research protocols and collaborating with the team. Maintain adequate supplies in the PV Lab and ensure that medical equipment and exam rooms are disinfected properly. Recognize and report any malfunctions of medical equipment, computer software, and hardware. Serve as a mentor for students and staff, promoting a positive customer experience and adaptability. Work alongside nationally recognized vascular surgeons, technologists, and academic affiliates. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Day Shift w/on-call rotation and service at CBOC Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92535 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized 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. 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 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. Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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 Determination GS 8 Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular):Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform noninvasive vascular ultrasound procedures as a senior technician. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of cross-sectional and longitudinal vascular anatomy in normal and abnormal vessels, anatomical planes and tissue structures, physiologic effects of disease entities that impact the vascular system, signs and symptoms of acute and chronic vascular disease, and the characteristic appearance of aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, thromboses, stenoses, occlusions, AV fistulae, and morphology of atherosclerotic plaque formulation. 2. Ability to provide Doppler information of peripheral vessels; demonstrate characteristic differences related to the organs they supply; accurately quantify carotid artery stenoses; and identify and correlate specific waveform analysis, plethysmographic tracings, velocity changes, and pressure gradients characteristic of normal, obstructed, or occluded vessels or grafts. 3. Ability to perform intracranial (transcranial) vascular examinations. 4. Ability to operate the instruments to extract the highest quality image utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter, and sample volume. 5. Ability to provide objective data to document progression or regression of disease. Certification - Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. At the GS-8 level the medical instrument technician (vascular) functions as a senior technician. They are expected to perform the full range of vascular ultrasound procedures including the most complex and non-routine and to make appropriate adjustments in established procedures and techniques to obtain the results required for clinical diagnosis and documentation. At this level the technician would also have the ability to perform intracranial (transcranial) vascular examinations. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: At least 3-5 years of full-time experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties to proficiently perform noninvasive diagnostic peripheral vascular procedures. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team. Detail-oriented with strong interpersonal, technical, and organizational skills. Registration/Credentials: Current registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT). Education Graduate of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Vascular Technology Program accredited by the Joint Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Physical Requirements: On a frequent basis during the tour this position requires the technician to endure extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting. The technician is required to regularly carry and push moderately heavy items. The technician must be able to use hands to handle, manipulate, feel objects, tools, and controls The technician is required to view computer monitors and @type for extended periods of time. The technician must be able to audibly detect the presence or absence of an audible signal and must be able to visualize details at close range, distinguish colors, and shades of gray. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 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 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.
