Medical Instrument Tech (Vascular) Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of the position of Vascular Technician is to operate diagnostic equipment using ultrasound to record vascular information such as vascular blood flow, blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, cerebral circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation.

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: 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. 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.

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 Determinations: GS-4 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSA's related to the duties of the position to be filled.

Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields.

The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation.

Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level.

In addition, must also demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2.

Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3.

Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.5.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing. OR, Education.

Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation.

GS-5 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSA's related to the duties of the position to be filled.

This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas.

Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level.

In addition, the candidate must also demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1.

Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.

3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4.

Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5.

Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. OR Education.

Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.

GS-6 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSA's and duties of the position to be filled.

This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform routine, standardized vascular ultrasound procedures where the technician is not expected to deviate from established procedures.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.

Ability to perform standardized, routine vascular ultrasound procedures and/or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels. 2.

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography. 3.

Ability to prepare preliminary reports from the examination including documentation of procedural difficulties in the medical record. GS-7 Experience.

At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSAs related to the duties of the positions to be filled.

This would be experience which demonstrates that the technician has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform complex procedures requiring the ability to select appropriate equipment based on symptomology and the objective of the examination and the ability to adapt procedures and techniques to enhance diagnostic results.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.

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.

2. 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. 3.

Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry to understand drug reactions, action, effects, and method of administration specifically related to vascular ultrasonography. 4.

Knowledge of disease entities that impact the vascular system and their influence on the test results to select the appropriate procedures. 5.

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.

Assignment. At the GS-7 level the medical instrument technician (vascular) is expected to perform complex noninvasive vascular testing for diagnostic purposes.

These procedures are performed with a variety of testing equipment and modalities to include B mode scanning, duplex imaging, Doppler spectral analysis, photoplethysmography, and upper and lower extremity, digit, and pensile blood pressures.

The technician must be able to deviate from normal technique when necessary. GS-8 Experience.

At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the KSA's 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: 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. Additional qualifications are listed in Additional Information. Major Duties:

The Vascular Technician independently performs the full range of vascular ultrasound procedures including the most complex and non-routine, in the peripheral vascular diagnostic lab or on the inpatient wards.

They make appropriate adjustments in established procedures and techniques to obtain the results required for clinical diagnosis and documentation.

They are concerned with blood flow abnormalities, which is one of the specialties in cardiovascular technology.

Vascular technicians use ultrasound machines to record vascular information, such as blood flow and pressure; cerebral, abdominal and peripheral circulation; and oxygen saturation.

Then they share their findings with the doctors for diagnosis. Vascular studies are done in the preoperative workup of patients with vascular disease and also for post-operative surveillance.

Occasionally, vascular technicians will also perform intraoperative studies.

Duties are but not limited to: Participates in all aspects of the mission of the medical center, including clinical service, education, and research, as needed.

Assists the management team with the collection of statistical data needed to monitor and improve the clinical service.

Operate and maintain the treadmill, photoplethysmography, electronic Doppler, duplex scanner and other monitoring devices that are available for these procedures.

Independently set up inpatient appointments, perform the studies, and record the results.

Obtain a brief history and physical pertinent to a peripheral vascular disease with familiarity with the associated signs and symptoms.

Prepare patient education materials pertinent to vascular disease and related surgical procedures. Perform necessary patient teaching.

Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training in these procedures.

Provide in-service sessions regarding Vascular Lab procedures to house staff, medical students, nursing students, hospital nursing personnel, and other groups as requested.

Train others in the performance of the above techniques and procedures. Incumbent is responsible for independently scheduling and rescheduling of patients.

Establish and maintain a permanent filing system for the patient's test results and subsequent follow-up visits.

Receive sales representatives as necessary for the consideration of purchase of new equipment.

Evaluates new products and equipment and makes recommendations regarding such that would improve operations. Responsible for record keeping of all procedures performed in the Vascular Lab.

Design new test forms as new procedures at instituted.

Be familiar with the protocol established by the Medical Records Committee for the approval of such forms for the patient's permanent medical record.

Devise and maintain a protocol and procedure manual regarding the function of the Vascular Laboratory and make revisions and additions when necessary Responsible for ordering and maintaining supplies as needed for the Vascular Lab.

Report urgent findings of medical conditions to Physician Assistants or Physicians, as indicated. Responsible for the minor troubleshooting on all equipment used in the lab.

When equipment needs repair, will contact appropriate biomedical Engineering staff.

Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques and knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements in order to ensure the operation is in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of 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) 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 #: 54160-F, 54161-F, 54162-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized