Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

The Vascular Medical Instrument Technician provides specialized, high-quality diagnostic services by applying advanced vascular ultrasonography techniques and supporting physicians in clinical settings. The role combines technical expertise, patient care, laboratory management, and supervisory guidance to ensure accurate diagnosis, safe procedures, and optimal patient outcomes.

• Performs high quality standardized and routine non-invasive diagnostic vascular testing, including duplex ultrasonography, Doppler analysis, and plethysmography which require adaptation of procedures. The vascular ultrasound examinations performed include: cerebrovascular duplex, upper and lower extremity arterial and venous duplex, abdominal duplex (aorta, aortic endograft, aorto-iliac, hepatoportal, inferior vena cava, mesenteric and renal artery/renal transplant), hemodialysis access scan, hemodialysis steal study, and upper and lower extremity physiologic exams; for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations and providing a preliminary report for review by the vascular surgeon/radiologist to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of various medical disorders. No intracranial or penile vascular studies are performed.
• Verifies patient identification and ensures that the requested procedure correlates with the patient's clinical history, presentation, and reason for referral. This requires conducting a patient interview for pertinent medical history and current symptoms, physically assessing the patient through observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation; and review of the medical record for previous angiographic data, surgical findings and other pertinent information. If after evaluating this data, the requested procedure is not relevant, consultation with the referring provider is required for clarification and to determine the most appropriate procedure.
• Documentation of procedural findings, preliminary reports, patient education, and any unusual observations and/or difficulties are required at the time of the occurrence. The technologist provides verbal notification to the vascular surgeon, radiologist or referring physician of significant abnormalities and urgent findings that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination.
• Cognitive sonographic skills are used to identify and record anatomical, pathological, and diagnostic images and tracings to evaluate blood flow, collateral pathways, anatomical pathology, and vessel measurements. The vascular sonographer complies with established protocols and standard scanning techniques, deviating from these techniques as needed to extract the highest quality image possible. Apply both quantitative and qualitative methods of assessing arterial, venous, and cerebrovascular blood flow. Recognize the significance of all structures, differentiate normal from abnormal, and compensate for artifact. Procedures must be performed according to established and validated techniques, using a variety of modalities and testing equipment to include: (a) B-mode scanning, (b) duplex imaging, with and without color flow, (c) spectral Doppler analysis, (d) blood pressure monitoring, and (e) photoplethysmography.
• Operate complex ultrasound equipment, Doppler systems, printers/recorders, and other patient assessment equipment. Selects appropriate equipment, transducer and protocol for each examination. Skilled in instrument operation to extract the highest quality image utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter, and sample volume. Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to ensure accurate results. Responsibilities also include adhering to equipment operation and maintenance guidelines, the ability to troubleshoot equipment to assess the need for repair, maintaining adequate inventory of supplies and ensuring efficient, cost-effective utilization of resources.
• Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for vascular ultrasound examinations to minimize delays of examinations. These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

The preferred candidate is one with BCLS and or ACLS as well as Registration.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. GS-8 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.

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 include specialized experience as an anesthesia technician which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to provide all aspects of anesthesia technician services including specialized duties. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1 through 6 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 7 and 8 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
1. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of laboratory testing procedures to include maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures. This includes the ability to perform these lab tests accurately and correctly.
2. Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems. *3. Comprehensive knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump).
4. Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques.
*5. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 6. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
*7. Ability to manage and supervise employees.
*8. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

Preferred Experience: 1 year experience in Vascular Ultrasound

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-9 .

Physical Requirements: a) Lifting, turning, transferring patients on a bed, stretcher, or wheelchair. b) Moving ultrasound equipment on wheels (weighing up to approximately 500 pounds). c) Use of upper extremities, at times with prolonged arm or hand positions for scanning. d) Fine motor skills/dexterity to manipulate transducers and utilize computers. e) Adequate visual acuity, as the majority of procedures are performed in a dimly lit room. f) Adequate hearing acuity to detect very high frequency flow or very faint Doppler signals. g) Ability to work in close proximity to others, sometimes in a distracting environment. h) Standing/sitting up to 6 hours/day; Stooping/bending & Pushing/pulling <1 hour a day.

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/.

• 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 identification 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.