Medical Instrument Technologist (Vascular)

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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).

02Grade Determinations

Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Experience at the GS-7 includes. Ability to perform noninvasive vascular ultrasound procedures or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels which require adaptation of procedures or instruments.

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography. This would also include knowledge of physiological influences on the hemodynamics of blood flow. Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry to understand drug reactions, action, effects, and method of administration specifically related to vascular ultrasonography.

Knowledge of disease entities that impact the vascular system and their influence on the test results to select the appropriate procedures. Ability to obtain a patient history and perform and appropriate physical assessment based on patient presentation and type of exam to include observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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.

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. Ability to perform intracranial (transcranial) vascular examinations.

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. Ability to provide objective data to document progression or regression of disease.

03Preferred Experience

The Best Qualified candidates for this position will have the following preferred experience. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Registered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) as RVT (Please provide license) Graduate from an accredited vascular ultrasound program and registered as RVT through ARDMS (Please provide transcripts) 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).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8 Physical Requirements: Requires longs periods of standing, walking, bending, and moving of patients who are sometimes unconscious or disabled. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is located in the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Surgical Service, Vascular Laboratory Section. Vascular Technologists (Sonographers) perform all examinations and assumes responsibilities associated with the Vascular Lab. The duties performed by the Vascular technologist will entail the performance of non-invasive examinations involving the application of high-frequency ultrasound waves to humans for the diagnosis of disease.

Performs noninvasive vascular ultrasound procedures or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels which require adaptation of procedures. Performance of high quality standardized and routine diagnostic vascular testing of the extremities, cerebrovascular, and abdominal vasculature using diagnostic Ultrasound and Plethysmography equipment.

Ability to perform additional testing including, but not limited to, evaluation of Arteriovenous Fistulas, Palmar Arch Studies, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome evaluation, and Ice Water Immersion. The ability to assist physicians with thrombin injections. Notify vascular surgeon or referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing the examination. Travel to satellite facilities on an as needed basis.

Required to go to the Operating Room when requested by surgeons for additional testing. Ability to maintain a sterile field. Maintain accurate and complete patient records and reports for examinations. Performing complex and non-routine vascular ultrasound procedures. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular sonography. Knowledge of disease entities that impact the vascular system and their influence on the test results.

Follow departmental examination procedures and adapt testing as needed for the patient's condition or disease process. Required to go to the Operating Room when requested by surgeons for additional testing. Ability to maintain a sterile field. Maintain accurate and complete patient records and reports for examinations Prepare preliminary reports from the examination including documentation of procedural difficulties. Following proper coding procedures per departmental policies.

Travel to satellite facilities on an as needed basis. Work Schedule: 7:30-4:00pm; 8:00-4:30pm; Flexible based on the needs of the service Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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 #: 95390-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized