Clarification from the agency

All US Citizens and Federal Employees

• Advises Vascular Laboratory Director or Vascular Team of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination.
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, and extremities for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders.
• Participates in the training of physicians, students, Vascular Laboratory, and radiology technicians so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound and how it relates to other diagnostic exams.
• Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate ultrasound records so that easy recall of patient examinations may be achieved.
• Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to insure accurate results. On the basis of radiologic findings, determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings.
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section.
• Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary equipment and supplies.
• Assists the radiologist in the performance of catheter placements for the purpose of treatment using ultrasound techniques such as foam scelero therapy. This requires the use of surgical sterile techniques, syringes, needles, etc.
• Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations in an effort to minimize delays of examinations.
• Explains examinations to be performed to the patients so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood.
• Gathers related information such as patient chart, interpretation of the MRI and other radiology studies, etc., so that correlation of examinations to other studies may be made by the Vascular Laboratory Director.
• Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information to the Vascular Laboratory Director responsible for the interpretation of the exams. This is done so that treatment based on diagnosis may be effectuated in a timely manner.
• Performs quality assurance testing on the ultrasound unit using phantoms, test tools, test check lists, etc. for assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment.
• Supervises routine housekeeping duties to assure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary.
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center, and participate in quality assurance activities as directed.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing is required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English

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.
• English Language Proficiency.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience performing the full range of vascular ultrasound procedures including examinations of the abdomen, neck, and extremities.
• Experience analyzing the laboratory schedule to ensure the laboratory is working at maximum capacity, including making recommendations during expected and unexpected absences of technicians and critical and emergency needs.
• Experience in working in a team oriented, customer driven professional environment. Ability to demonstrate flexibility, integrity, and accountability.

Grade Determinations: 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, 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.

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

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27, Appendix K: Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) Qualification Standard

The full performance level of this vacancy is 08.

Physical Requirements: Heavy (45 lbs and over), moderate (15-44 lbs), and light (under 15 lbs) lifting; moderate (15-44 lbs) and light carrying (under 15 lbs); pushing (8-12 hrs); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing (8-12 hours); repeated bending (8-12 hrs); both legs required; depth perception ability to distinguish basic colors ans shades of colors; must be able to hear Doppler. Must be able to work closely with others, along, and irregular hours of work.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.