Duties
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
The following represents the full performance level as the Medical Instrument Technician (vascular) functions as a senior vascular technician/sonographer. The MIT (vascular) functions as an integral part of the healthcare team by performing non-invasive diagnostic vascular examinations as requested by the healthcare provider and other technical or clerical tasks as might be required. Including, but not limited to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of vascular hemodynamics and ultrasound physics which is essential in order to perform, understand, and interpret non-invasive diagnostic vascular testing.
- Obtain a patient history and perform an appropriate physical assessment based on patient presentation and type of exam to include observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation.
- Proficiently operate the medical equipment to obtain the highest quality image and data utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter and sample volume.
- Obtain audible and visual data accurately and provide accurate Doppler information obtained from peripheral vessels; demonstrate characteristic differences related to their perfusion; accurately quantify disease and identify and correlate specific waveform analysis, plethysmographic tracings, pressure gradients characteristic of: normal, obstructed, or occluded vasculature.
- Provide objective data to document pathology and disease progression or regression.
- Adhere to established examination protocols while recognizing indications for further studies beyond established and standardized procedures.
- Coordinate inpatient and emergent outpatient PV Lab appointments
- Effectively communicate with supervisors and peers by providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, electronically, and in person.
- Display critical thinking knowledge and skills, using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Update and use relevant knowledge by keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Proficiently operate and navigate the facilities computer system, it's software and hardware used to: electronically communicate, navigate the veterans visit, generate requests, produce preliminary reports, and transfer/view diagnostic images.
- Support our facilities research program by performing research protocols and collaborating as a team to complete assignments.
- Maintain adequate supplies as needed in the PV Lab.
- Perform low level disinfection of medical equipment and exam rooms.
- Recognize and report medical equipment and computer software and hardware malfunctions appropriately.
- Effectively navigate systems.
- Serve as a mentor for students and staff.
- Be adaptable and provide a positive customer experience.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Day Shift w/on-call rotation and service at CBOC
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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 #: 92535
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
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.
- 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".
For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.
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).
Grade Determination GS 8 Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular):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.
Certification -Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.
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.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Preferred Experience: At least 3-5 years of full-time experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skill, and abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties to proficiently perform noninvasive diagnostic peripheral vascular procedures. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team. Detail-oriented with strong interpersonal, technical, and organizational skills.
Registration/Credentials: Current registration 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).
Education Graduate of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Vascular Technology Program accredited by the Joint Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Physical Requirements: On a frequent basis during the tour this position requires the technician to endure extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting. The technician is required to regularly carry and push moderately heavy items. The technician must be able to use hands to handle, manipulate, feel objects, tools, and controls The technician is required to view computer monitors and type for extended periods of time. The technician must be able to audibly detect the presence or absence of an audible signal and must be able to visualize details at close range, distinguish colors, and shades of gray.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8.
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
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Preferred Experience: At least five years of experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties to proficiently perform noninvasive diagnostic peripheral vascular procedures. Effectively working with CPRS and VistA software programs.
Physical Requirements: On a frequent basis during the tour this position requires the technician to endure extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, bending, lifting, and twisting. The technician is required to regularly carry and push moderately heavy items. The technician must be able to use hands to handle, manipulate, feel objects, tools, and controls The technician is required to view computer monitors and type for extended periods of time. The technician must be able to audibly detect the presence or absence of an audible signal and must be able to visualize details at close range, distinguish colors, and shades of gray.
Current registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT).
Education: Graduate of Diagnostic Medic al Sonography/Vascular Technology Program accredited by the Joint Review Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
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 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.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link
https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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.
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):
- Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
- An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
- Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
- Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
- Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
- Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
- SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Full Resume/CV
- Other (2)
- Other (3)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
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.