Medical Instrument Technologist (Vascular)

This announcement is for a Medical Instrument Technologist (Vascular) located in the Surgical Care Service. The MIT(Vascular) will operate state of the arts diagnostic imaging equipment using ultrasound to record vascular information such as vascular blood flow, blood pressure, limb volume changes, cerebral circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation. 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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.

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 Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for this grade.

• GS-6 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 routine, standardized vascular ultrasound procedures where the technician is not expected to deviate from established procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
    • 1. Ability to perform standardized, routine vascular ultrasound procedures and/or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels.
    • 2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography.
    • 3. Ability to prepare preliminary reports from the examination including documentation of procedural difficulties in the medical record. (c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. (d) Assignment. Assignments at this level are characterized by the performance of routine, standardized vascular ultrasound procedures and techniques in accordance with instructions.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

• GS-7 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 positions to be filled. This would be experience which demonstrates that the technician has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform complex procedures requiring the ability to select appropriate equipment based on symptomology and the objective of the examination and the ability to adapt procedures and techniques to enhance diagnostic results. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
    • 1. Ability to perform noninvasive vascular ultrasound procedures or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels which require adaptation of procedures or instruments.
    • 2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography. This would also include knowledge of physiological influences on the hemodynamics of blood flow.
    • 3. Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry to understand drug reactions, action, effects, and method of administration specifically related to vascular ultrasonography.
    • 4. Knowledge of disease entities that impact the vascular system and their influence on the test results to select the appropriate procedures.
    • 5. Ability to obtain a patient history and perform and appropriate physical assessment based on patient presentation and type of exam to include observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

• GS-8 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.

Preferred Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in performing vascular testing and interpreting results.
• Certification with ARDMS as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) or with CCI as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS6 to GS8.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary but also requires some standing, walking, bending lifting and carry of light items. The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may require assistance in moving or in lifting wheelchair patients. Please see VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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: . 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: .