Summary This position is located in Surgical Service. Medical Instrument Technicians (Vascular) operate state of the arts diagnostic imaging equipment using ultrasound to record vascular information such as vascular blood flow, blood pressure, limb volume changes, cerebral circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation. Responsibilities The duties of this position include but are not limited to: Performs highly specialized/complex or difficult examinations utilizing B-mode, 2 dimensional ultrasound, Color Doppler and Pulsed Wave Doppler measurements. Performs studies such as, ABIs/arterial waveforms, carotid duplex, peripheral arterial duplex of native arteries and bypass grafts, AAA studies, EVAR duplex, AV Fistula/graft duplex, renal mesenteric duplex and venous studies. Triage vascular lab order/procedure request, patient condition to ensure appropriate vascular examination. Obtain a brief history and physical pertinent to a peripheral vascular disease with familiarity with the associated signs and symptoms. Independently make standard examinations and makes more in-depth examinations when abnormalities are present. Advises the vascular physician and ordering provider of preliminary results of the exam, recognizing significant findings that require emergent care and relaying information to insure proper treatment. Correlates findings of non-invasive examinations with findings of other radiologic diagnostic procedures. Ensures the accurate evaluation of results of ultrasound studies and appropriate recommendations for further vascular laboratory diagnostic procedures. Generates accurate preliminary reports complete with supporting documentation (images) in a timely manner for reading physician's review. Communicates urgent /critical, preliminary findings in accordance vascular lab policy. Works with patients who are seriously ill and those who have varying degrees of physical disabilities and medical problems. Assists vascular surgeon in operating room for vascular access, duplex imaging guidance for advance endovascular procedures and emergent post op procedures as requested. Reviews, evaluates and participates in the continuing education programs and refers to pertinent clinical literature with regards to improving the quality of examinations. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 0700-1530 Monday - Friday, Rotating call on Nights, Weekends, and Holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized recruitment incentive Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. 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). 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. Grade Determinations: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: Bachelor's Degree or two years college course work in Business/Healthcare or graduate of approved program in Ultrasound Technology vascular specific. Preferred Experience: The vascular lab technologists will assist the vascular surgeons at the VA Medical Center in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of disorders affecting the vascular system. 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. 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-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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/. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.