Position's work involves operating or monitoring diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment associated with vascular and general sonography duties, to include carotid ultrasound and complex doppler studies, as well as general ultrasound. Cardiovascular Credentialing International, (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) and is highly desirable. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. 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. 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). Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a 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. Education/Training To be creditable, education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University.(1) Training. Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for-month basis through the GS-5 level.(2) Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. OR Education Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions Core competencies defined GS8(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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, 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. 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 (a) 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 be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to fully perform all vascular ultrasound tests and examinations and to function as a technical director of the vascular laboratory and provide oversight and/or guidance to other technicians. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. 1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to vascular ultrasonography. 2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. 4. Ability to manage and supervise employees. 5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. (c) Certification Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. (d) Assignments For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 1 Special Assignments. Non-supervisory vascular technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level. Preferred Experience: One year of specialized VASCULAR experience; ?Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27 II-G27-58 ["This position is above the full performance level for the Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) requiring specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. Duties include but are not limited to: a. The work involves operating or monitoring diagnostic and therapeutic medical instruments and equipment associated with vascular and general sonography duties, to include carotid ultrasound and complex doppler studies, as well as general ultrasound. Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International, (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) and is highly desirable. b. Sonographers operate diagnostic equipment using ultrasound to record vascular and gray-scale information, and must be able to perform exams such as Doppler vascular blood flow patterns, blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, involving multiple arterial and venous circulation systems, including but not limited to: cerebral circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation, pre-and post-exercise pulse volume recordings, ankle brachia! indices, and segmental plethysmography, upper and lower extremity vein mapping, venous reflux and evaluation of DVT, AV fistula [AVF] and AV graft [AVG], natural and synthetic arterial grafts, evaluation of AAA and post-EVAR aorta, renal artery stenosis, carotid ultrasound with temporal tap technique, vertebral artery Doppler, thoracic outlet syndrome, temporal arteritis, renal transplant analysis etc. c. Ultrasound guidance for therapeutic procedures and diagnostic maneuvers is required. d. Diagnostic Vascular Technicians operate diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two-dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. Color Doppler duplex evaluation is performed, with utilization of pre-and post-exercise stress equipment for specialized arterial insufficiency examinations or other related applications. Three- dimensional volumetric analysis, stenosis ratio measurement and intimate knowledge of vascular anatomy and physiology is required. e. Diagnostic vascular ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques for medical purposes. The vascular sonographer must be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of vascular ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The vascular sonographer is regarded as the expert source of all vascular ultrasound imaging, and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the vascular sonographers in providing a final interpretation. Performs other related duties.as assigned. f. Clinical Responsibilities- The Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) performs difficult ultrasound technical duties. Preferred Certification: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm unless otherwise noted by supervisor, on call nights and weekends Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Instrument Tech - Vascular/PD000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: An incentive is authorized for this position for highly qualified applicants Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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