Clarification from the agency

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This position is located in the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Surgical Service, Vascular Laboratory Section. Vascular Technologists (Sonographers} perform all examinations and assumes responsibilities associated with the Vascular Lab. The duties performed by the Vascular technologist will entail the performance of non-invasive examinations involving the application of high-frequency ultrasound waves to humans for the diagnosis of disease.

• Performs noninvasive vascular ultrasound procedures or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels which require adaptation of procedures. Assists the Vascular Surgeons in performance of
• Performance of high quality standardized and routine diagnostic vascular testing of the extremities, cerebrovascular, and abdominal vasculature using diagnostic Ultrasound and Plethysmography equipment.
• Required to go to the Operating Room when requested by surgeons for additional testing.
• Ability to maintain a sterile field.
• Maintain accurate and complete patient records and reports for examinations.
• Performing complex and non-routine vascular ultrasound procedures
• Performing intracranial (transcranial} vascular examinations
• Ability to perform additional testing including, but not limited to, evaluation of Arteriovenous Fistulas, Palmar Arch Studies, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome evaluation, and Ice Water Immersion.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular sonography.
• Knowledge of disease entities that impact the vascular system and their influence on the test results.
• Follow departmental examination procedures and adapt testing as needed for the patient's condition or disease process.
• The ability to assist physicians with thrombin injections.
• Required to go to the Operating Room when requested by surgeons for additional testing.
• Ability to maintain a sterile field.
• Maintain accurate and complete patient records and reports for examinations
• Prepare preliminary reports from the examination including documentation of procedural difficulties.
• Following proper coding procedures per departmental policies.
• Notify vascular surgeon or referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing the examination.
• Travel to satellite facilities on an as needed basis.

• At the GS-6 level the medical instrument technician (vascular) is expected to perform complex noninvasive vascular testing for diagnostic purposes while under supervision. These procedures are performed with a variety of testing equipment and modalities to include B mode scanning, duplex imaging, Doppler spectral analysis, photo plethysmography, and upper and lower extremity, digit, and pensile blood pressures. Under supervision, the technician will be able to deviate from normal technique when necessary.
• At the GS-7 level the medical instrument technician (vascular) is expected to perform complex noninvasive vascular testing for diagnostic purposes. These procedures are performed with a variety of testing equipment and modalities to include B mode scanning, duplex imaging, Doppler spectral analysis, photo plethysmography, and upper and lower extremity, digit, and pensile blood pressures. The technician must be able to deviate from normal technique when necessary.
• 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.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

1. Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
5. 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.

1. 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:
2. 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.
3. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

1. 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:
2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
3. 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.
4. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

1. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
2. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

Areas of Consideration - Preference veterans will receive first consideration and will be referred in the following order:

• CPS/CP: A veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent.
• XP: A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; or is a purple heart recipient.
• TP: 5-point preference based on eligible active-duty service.
• SSP (Sole Survivorship Preference): Discharged from active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of a "sole survivorship discharge."
• All other qualified US citizens.