This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-6 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 routine, standardized vascular ultrasound procedures where the technician is not expected to deviate from established procedures. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to perform standardized, routine vascular ultrasound procedures and/or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography. Ability to prepare preliminary reports from the examination including documentation of procedural difficulties in the medical record. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. Assignment. Assignments at this level are characterized by the performance of routine, standardized vascular ultrasound procedures and techniques in accordance with instructions. GS-7 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 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. 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, photo plethysmography, 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 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 (not performed in this position). 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. 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. References: VHA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, appendix G27, sub-appendix K, March 17, 2006. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting/Carrying (15-44lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking/Standing (up to 4hrs.); Repeated bending (up tot 2Hrs.); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision (correctable) Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and Emotional stability. Environmental Factors: Work may be performed outside and inside, there may be exposure to constant noise, and you must be able to work alone and closely with others. ["The incumbent is a vascular technologist in the Vascular Surgery Section of Surgical and Perioperative Care, whose function is to independently diagnose patients with suspected peripheral arterial and venous disease, oversee scheduling of patients for examination, and provide continuity of follow-up. The duties are performed in the peripheral vascular laboratory, on hospital wards, in the peripheral vascular clinic, and in the operating room. Duties will include: Advise vascular surgeons or referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention. In the Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory: Measure peripheral blood pressures at rest and following the conduction of exercise treadmill testing or hallway walk using Doppler ultrasound and/or plethysmography. Evaluate the extracranial carotid vascular system using duplex scanning and interpretation of spectral analysis. Evaluate the abdominal and pelvic arterial system including mesenteric and renal arteries using duplex scanning and interpretation of spectral analysis. Evaluate the lower extremity arterial system, including bypass grafts and stents using duplex scanning and interpretation of spectral analysis. Evaluate the status of the abdominal and pelvic deep venous system using duplex scanning. Evaluate the status of the lower extremity deep venous system using duplex scanning. Evaluate the upper extremity arterial system using duplex scanning and interpretation of real time spectral analysis. Evaluate the status of the upper extremity deep venous system using duplex scanning. Perform upper extremity arterial blood pressure exams to test for arterial occlusive disease as well as digital arterial photo plethysmography with digital blood pressures, temperature measurement, and/or cold immersion test. Evaluate the patency and caliber of upper and lower extremity superficial veins to determine their suitability for use as bypass conduits. Perform duplex ultrasound of the upper and lower extremity arteries and veins, and Allen's test for preoperative planning of hemodialysis access. Evaluate the function of existing hemodialysis access, including arteriovenous fistula, grafts, and associated stents and bypass grafts. Evaluate arterial diameters in the abdomen and peripheral circulation to determine the presence or absence of aneurysms. Use duplex scanning to determine the patency of endovascular grafts to rule out endoleaks and determine residual sac size of treated aneurysms. Use duplex scanning to determine the presence or absence of pseudoaneurysms. Regularly check the performance of equipment used in the evaluation of patients. Participate in the training of physicians, students, and other technicians so these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of non-invasive vascular testing and how it relates to other diagnostic exams. Train and provide direction for other peripheral vascular technologists. Perform or supervise routine housekeeping duties to assure that the laboratory is clean and sanitary. Review new developments in the field and recommend to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section. Maintain adequate supplies so examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary equipment and supplies. Explain the examination procedure to patients so an understanding of the purpose of the study, as well as any requirement of the patient is thoroughly understood. This is done so that an adequate study may be obtained. Assist vascular surgeons in the performance of injection of pseudoaneuryms. This requires the use of surgical sterile techniques, syringes, needles, etc. On hospital wards: As time allows, measure peripheral blood pressures at rest of ankle/toes and arm/fingers using the pocket Doppler or plethysmography for patients who have had any kind of arterial reconstructive procedure. In the operating room: Assist physicians by operating duplex scanner when requested. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday. Hours negotiable between the hours of 7:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Authorized EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Program Coordinator @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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