Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) performs non-invasive vascular ultrasound studies within the Vascular Laboratory. The position provides diagnostic and follow-up imaging and supports inpatient, outpatient, and emergent care.

About the Role

This position requires basic knowledge of vascular ultrasound procedures and techniques, along with the ability to triage and prioritize vascular referrals based on patient symptoms and clinical indicators.

Responsibilities

• Perform duplex ultrasound examinations including B-mode, color Doppler, and pulsed-wave Doppler for carotid, abdominal, peripheral arterial, and venous systems, and arteriovenous fistulas/grafts.
• Conduct advanced vascular studies such as ankle-brachial index (ABI), arterial waveforms, palmar arch testing, thoracic outlet evaluations, renal and mesenteric duplex, aortic aneurysm (AAA) surveillance, and post-EVAR assessments.
• Adjust scanning parameters to optimize diagnostic image quality based on patient condition and suspected pathology.
• Triage and prioritize vascular referrals according to patient symptoms, urgency, and clinical indicators.
• Independently perform complex and technically demanding vascular examinations requiring advanced skill, including detailed access graft/fistula evaluations, venous reflux studies, and specialized protocols.
• Recognize significant or emergent abnormalities during scanning and immediately communicate findings to ordering providers or vascular surgeons.
• Provide real-time visualization assistance during vascular procedures when requested.
• Generate preliminary technical impressions and prepare diagnostic images for interpretation.
• Notify providers promptly when critical findings are identified.
• Document completed studies in accordance with established vascular laboratory protocols and accreditation standards.
• Affirm compliance with equipment needs, imaging technology, and upgrades.
• Assist with updating and maintaining vascular lab protocols.
• Ensure studies meet quality requirements consistent with laboratory accreditation standards.
• Provide input regarding equipment needs, imaging technology, and upgrades.
• Assist with updating and maintaining vascular lab protocols.
• Ensure studies meet quality requirements consistent with laboratory accreditation standards.
• Provide input regarding equipment needs, imaging technology, and upgrades.

Requirements

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States
• 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. Specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations."
• Training: Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

Qualifications

• 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.
• Technical KSAs: Advanced knowledge of the most complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques, Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program, Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations, Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), Forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget, Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, performance evaluation, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions.

Skills

Desirable skills include:

• Certification/Registration: 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)
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications

Benefits

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Perform duplex ultrasound examinations including B-mode, color Doppler, and pulsed-wave Doppler for carotid, abdominal, peripheral arterial, and venous systems, and arteriovenous fistulas/grafts.
• Conduct advanced vascular studies such as ankle-brachial index (ABI), arterial waveforms, palmar arch testing, thoracic outlet evaluations, renal and mesenteric duplex, aortic aneurysm (AAA) surveillance, and post-EVAR assessments.
• Adjust scanning parameters to optimize diagnostic image quality based on patient condition and suspected pathology.
• Triage and prioritize vascular referrals according to patient symptoms, urgency, and clinical indicators.
• Independently perform complex and technically demanding vascular examinations requiring advanced skill, including detailed access graft/fistula evaluations, venous reflux studies, and specialized protocols.
• Recognize significant or emergent abnormalities during scanning and immediately communicate findings to ordering providers or vascular surgeons.
• Provide real-time visualization assistance during vascular procedures when requested.
• Generate preliminary technical impressions and prepare diagnostic images for interpretation.
• Notify providers promptly when critical findings are identified.
• Document completed studies in accordance with established vascular laboratory protocols and accreditation standards.
• Affirm compliance with equipment needs, imaging technology, and upgrades.
• Assist with updating and maintaining vascular lab protocols.
• Ensure studies meet quality requirements consistent with laboratory accreditation standards.
• Provide input regarding equipment needs, imaging technology, and upgrades.
• Assist with updating and maintaining vascular lab protocols.
• Ensure studies meet quality requirements consistent with laboratory accreditation standards.
• Provide input regarding equipment needs, imaging technology, and upgrades.

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Schedule

Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional: The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Benefits

• Total Rewards: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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 #: 000000
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized