Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) Details

Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

US Department of Veterans Affairs - Lexington, KY

Employment Type : Full-Time

DutiesSummary

The Vascular Technologist performs vascular ultrasound and related imaging procedures in radiology, the operative suites, and at bedside throughout the Lexington VA Medical Center. The purpose of these exams is to evaluate and diagnose patients and provide continuity of follow-up, and in some cases, carry out appropriate treatment.

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: A recruitment/relocation incentive has been authorized for this position, and may be offered to a highly qualified applicant.


Responsibilities

At the Full Performance Level the Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) will perform the following duties:

• Provides guidance to support staff in scheduling exams in order optimize all vascular laboratory equipment, while maintaining the flexibility to allow for emergency cases. This requires the prioritization of scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the extreme emergency patients who need immediate intervention. Provides administrative support to management, including assisting with development and maintenance of Policy and Procedure Manuals, Quality Assurance reviews, workload reports, updating coding procedures, reporting laboratory activities to appropriate physicians and supervisory personnel. Responsible for understanding and complying in accordance with the guidelines established by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories, JCAHO, VA Directives, and other industry standards.
• Operates a variety of diagnostic vascular ultrasound equipment independently, performing complex testing of a patient's vascular and other anatomical systems. Preliminary findings are documented electronically and/or via hardcopy into the medical record by the technologist, with subsequent review by the physician and positive findings and/or pertinent negative findings directly conveyed to referring physicians.
• Works with the vascular surgeon and/or radiologist as a member of the medical imaging team, assisting and anticipating the needs of the surgeons and the performance of the exam. Must be continuously on the alert regarding the patient's condition, sterile field, supplies and instrument requirements to assure that all preventive measures have been taken to prevent contamination and minimize hazards associated with the invasive procedures. Adheres to hospital infection control and safety policies/techniques with emphasis on sterile technique; storage of sterile supplies; disposal of body fluids and 'sharps'; proper attire; hand washing practices and continuing education.
• The technologist completes information in the history, physical examination, non-invasive studies, and analyzes the data. Interpretive and diagnostic evaluation by the technologists is part of the evaluation and results in a permanent entry into the medical record. Final diagnostic reports, which directly affect subsequent patient management and therapy, will be performed by qualified physicians.
• Confers with physician to determine requirement of nonstandard exams that do not conform to established standard protocols. Determines technical factors, positioning, etc., to produce a high-quality diagnostic study. Notifies the physician of scans requiring their immediate attention.
• The technologist assumes an active role in the ultrasound clinic and is responsible for the coordination of activities within the clinic (i.e. accurately records clinical data, registration, etc.). He/she performs preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative studies on patients with the responsibility for explaining the procedure to competent patients in a manner that is understandable including what is to be done as well as any potential risks or hazards.
• Provides minor wound treatment, dressing changes, removal and reapplying Unna boots, and compressing bandages as needed.
• Cleans and maintains all laboratory equipment in accordance with Infection Control policies, manufacturer guidelines, biomedical guidelines, and JCAHO criteria. Reports any unsanitary conditions or equipment malfunctions timely to the supervisor.
• Incumbent is responsible for the use of Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and must be familiar with which items are reprocessed locally (on unit) and/or which items are sent to sterile processing and/or SPD for reprocessing and/or sterilization.
• Incumbent involved in reprocessing of RME is responsible for following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations. SPD and Infection Prevention and Control should be consulted when clarification of written instructions are needed.
• Participates and/or assists in the training of physicians, residents, radiology technicians, and students for the purpose of enhancing the personal and professional development of others within the medical service as directed by the lead technologist or management.
• Monitors patient flow and determines triage of patients as required. Works with the physicians and clinic personnel to monitor patient records to determine those clinic patients who may need specialized preoperative and postoperative exams.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; Day Shift.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
Recruitment Incentives: A recruitment incentive has been authorized for this position, and may be offered to a highly qualified applicant.
Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized.
Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

None

• Job family (Series)

  0649 Medical Instrument Technician

• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  QualificationsBasic 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 as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
  • Certification: Basic Cardiac Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.
  
  Preferred Experience:
  • Registration by American Registry of Diagnostic: Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Vascular Sonographer (RVS).
  Grade Determinations GS-08
  Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. his would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform noninvasive vascular ultrasound procedures as a senior technician. Examples include but are not limited 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 penile blood pressures. The technician must be able to deviate from normal technique when necessary.
  
  In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • 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.
  References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician (MIT)Qualification Standards.
  
  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.
  
  Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting of 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying 45 pounds and over; straight pulling and pushing; reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to16" to jaeger 1-4; and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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 job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
  
  It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
  
  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.
  
  Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
  
  If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
  
  Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
  

  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Other

  Drug test required

  Yes

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  

  • Resume
  
  
  VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search.
  
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  
  
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations
  • Other (2)
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
  
  
  Veterans' Preference: Per Annual Determination of staffing Shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the fiscal year to hybrid title 38 occupations reported among the occupations with the largest staffing shortages. This bulletin is in effect through September 30, 2021 and will be updated annually to reflect the current annual shortage occupations.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  Benefits

  A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• The public

  U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.