The Medical Instrument Technician (vascular) functions as a senior vascular technician/sonographer. The technician is expected to perform a full range of noninvasive diagnostic vascular examinations including the most complex and non-routine, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders affecting the vascular system. The technician performs examinations on inpatient and outpatient Veterans within the peripheral vascular (PV) lab, at the bedside and within the operating room.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf This represents the full performance level as the Medical Instrument Technician (vascular) functions as a senior vascular technician/sonographer. The MIT (vascular) functions as an integral part of the healthcare team by performing non-invasive diagnostic vascular examinations as requested by the healthcare provider and other technical or clerical tasks as might be required. Including, but not limited to: - Demonstrate an understanding of vascular hemodynamics and ultrasound physics which is essential in order to perform, understand, and interpret non-invasive diagnostic vascular testing. - Obtain a patient history and perform an appropriate physical assessment based on patient presentation and type of exam to include observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation. - Proficiently operate the medical equipment to obtain the highest quality image and data utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter and sample volume. -Obtain audible and visual data accurately and provide accurate Doppler information obtained from peripheral vessels; demonstrate characteristic differences related to their perfusion; accurately quantify disease and identify and correlate specific waveform analysis, plethysmographic tracings, pressure gradients characteristic of: normal, obstructed, or occluded vasculature. - Provide objective data to document pathology and disease progression or regression. - Adhere to established examination protocols while recognizing indications for further studies beyond established and standardized procedures. - Coordinate inpatient and emergent outpatient PV Lab appointments. - Effectively communicate with supervisors and peers by providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, electronically, and in person. - Display critical thinking knowledge and skills, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. - Update and use relevant knowledge by keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. - Proficiently operate and navigate the facilities computer system, it's software and hardware used to: electronically communicate, navigate the veterans visit, generate requests, produce preliminary reports, and transfer/view diagnostic images. - Support our facilities research program by performing research protocols and collaborating as a team to complete assignments. - Maintain adequate supplies as needed in the PV Lab. - Perform low level disinfection of medical equipment and exam rooms. - Recognize and report medical equipment and computer software and hardware malfunctions appropriately. - Effectively navigate systems. - Serve as a mentor for students and staff. - Be adaptable and provide a positive customer experience. Work Schedule: Full-time, day shift with participation in on-call rotation Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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). 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 #: 92535-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. 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. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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 6 (a) 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. (b) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. (c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. (d) Assignment. Assignments at this level are characterized by the performance of routine, standardized vascular ultrasound procedures and techniques in accordance with instructions. Grade Determinations: GS 7 (a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. (c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. (d) 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. Grade Determinations: GS 8 (a) 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. (b) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) 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. (c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. (d) 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. Reference: See additional information below Preferred Experience: See additional information below Physical Requirements: See additional information below The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Nikki Lane
• Phone: 734-222-7664
• Email: [email protected]