Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular Ultrasound)

About the role

This is the full performance level requiring specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. It is 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.

Responsibilities

• The Vascular Technologist coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative in the application of non-ionizing high-frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for the diagnosis of disease in the clinic or in the Inpatient unit.
• Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan, controls technical factors on the ultrasound unit, which will affect time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction, and diffraction. Selects between non-focused, fixed-focus, linear phased array, annular phased array, and Doppler or Power Doppler.
• Performs the examination requires proper alignment and position of the patient. Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam.
• Receives and identifies patients, explains methods of procedures, assists movement of patients to and from wheelchairs, carts, tables, positions the patient, and performs examinations requested. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them.
• The incumbent performs vascular sonography studies, records, and prepares the processed media for Interpretation by the Staff Radiologist. S/he will maintain records of patients in the Vista radiology package.
• As a vascular sonographer, s/he schedules and prepares patients for exams and explains procedures to patients while performing the studies.
• S/he obtains pertinent diagnostic vascular examinations for the physician, which may be necessary for correlation between the ultrasound scan and clinical history.
• S/he performs diagnostic vascular examination on multiple areas of the body, including, but not limited to, the abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum.
• S/he routinely performs vascular studies including central, peripheral and cerebral applications, TCD, Carotid, ABI, arterial duplex, venous duplex, renal artery duplex, and visceral vascular exams of the abdomen. Regularly performs preoperative upper and lower extremity vein mappings for vascular surgeons, as well as chronic venous Insufficiency studies.
• S/he assists radiologists with biopsy procedures, determining the location, depth, and the required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled.
• S/he assists in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations. This requires performance and knowledge of sterile technique and strict enforcement.
• S/he differentiates artifacts from normal or pathological processes and recognizes electronic equipment limitations.
• S/he recognizes a diagnostic scan and consults with the Staff Radiologist to determine the proper diagnosis.

Requirements

• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM
• Telework: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 60282F
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Benefits

• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.

Qualifications

• 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".
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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/.