Summary The Medical Instrument Technician will perform as a Vascular Lab Technologists and will assist the vascular surgeons at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of disorders affecting the vascular system. Responsibilities The vascular lab technicians provide carotid studies, consistent diagnosis criteria and quality control for venous duplex scans, venous reflux determinations, assess for stenosis or occlusion of the mesenteric and renal arteries, assess for DVT of the upper extremities, preoperative vein mapping, intraoperative assessment of carotid endarterectomies and lower extremity vein bypasses, surveillance of vein bypass grafts, and segmented arterial pressure and waveform analysis with formal interpretation. The vascular lab technologists are an integral part of the vascular surgery program. The incumbent will independently work in two difficult and complex modalities including Vascular Ultrasound and Vascular Surgery and will be responsible for clinical, research, and educational duties in these two modalities. The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Work closely with the vascular surgeon, radiologist, and other clinicians to assure optimum quality control, coordination of activities and that high quality diagnostic imaging results are achieved. Independently performs difficult to complex vascular ultrasound examinations and interventional radiology examinations. Responsible for clinical research and educational duties in both the vascular laboratory and vascular surgical service. Performs Vascular Ultrasound Imaging to evaluate the body's circulatory system. Obtains quality vascular images In order to locate and identify blockage (stenosis) and abnormalities like blood clots, plaque or emboli to help plan effective treatment to the patient. Performs Vascular Ultrasound Imaging of the body's veins and arteries, for the purpose of evaluating blockages, such as clots in veins and plaque in arteries by using pulse wave Doppler, color Doppler, power Doppler and duplex Doppler. Confers with Vascular Surgeon to determine requirements for non-standard exams. Determines technical factors, scanning techniques, etc. to satisfy requirements of vascular ultrasound imaging. Advises the Vascular Surgeons, radiologists or referring physicians of the examination results. Performs Vascular Surgery therapeutic treatments, which include: Dialysis graft studies. Assures that sterile supplies, catheters. Contrast media and other materials are set up and readily available prior to the procedure(s). Scrubs and assists the vascular surgeon during the procedure on a demand basis. Research and/or analyze problems, issues or program requirements supporting the functions of a PACS system. Determines pertinent issues and collects relevant information from a variety of sources. Reviews information and applies standard analytical techniques. Develops recommendations and a plan of action to solve problems. Serve as a liaison for OlT, Imaging, Surgery, Biomedical engineering, vendors and clinical users to ensure the PACS system is configured to optimize imaging and clinical operations as well as distribution capabilities in all areas of the NCHCS. Investigates system malfunctions to determine a cause. Defines and isolate the specific problem, using available diagnostic and error recovery techniques, and initiates corrective actions. Contacts vendor representatives to determine the cause of problems that do not respond to available problem solving techniques. Monitors equipment controlling environment and executes emergency procedures in case of natural or manmade disasters and security risk situations. Provides first line technical support for imaging transmissions or display errors related to modalities, VistA interface, display monitors and printers. Responsible for explaining the exams to the patient so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible. Responsible for the cleanliness of the subsection and stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areas. Administrative accountability for departmental supplies and equipment in their area. Anticipates the needs for supplies and provides for them well in advance. Other duties as assigned by management. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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. BASIC REQUIREMENTS A. United States Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a). B. English Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). C. Grandfathering Provision: 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). D. Certifications: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. E. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements. Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) GS-9: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to fully perform all vascular ultrasound tests and examinations and to function as a technical director of the vascular laboratory and provide oversight and/or guidance to other technicians. The KSA's at the GS-8 level are: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to vascular ultrasonography. *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. NOTE: all KSAs must be clearly displayed in resume - (assumptions will not be made) F. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27, Medical Instrument Technician, dated March 17, 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. G. Physical Requirements/Demands: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires to be able to stand or walk for long periods of time period there is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as equipment or records. The technologist must be able to help lift and move patients to difficult positions on the radio graphic table. The incumbent will be using multiple computer systems using both mouse and keyboard input, stressing the hand or wrist. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCMENT and will remain open until filled or September 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 28, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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.