Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Performs various non-invasive vascular studies of the upper/lower extremities, neck, and torso (abdominal and pelvic regions) to diagnose venous and arterial diseases (i.e., aneurysms, plaque, stenosis) and detect thrombosis, as well as incidental tumors, tissue-mass cysts, thyroid abnormalities, fluid collections, and abscesses.
• Participates in clinical work and ongoing research of the Vascular Laboratory, utilizing specialized survey studies, methodologies, and unique equipment (e.g., GE E9, Parks Flo-Lab, TCOMs).
• Performs a variety of non-invasive ultrasound and Doppler tests, including upper/lower extremity arterial and venous studies, segmental pressures, neck studies, cervical studies, abdominal cavity studies including but not limited to evaluation of renal and mesenteric arterial disease and post endovascular aneurysm assessments.
• Employs advanced imaging modalities, including high-resolution imaging, pulsed Doppler with gray scale spectrum, simultaneous 2-D imaging, 3-D imaging, Power Doppler, M-mode, and digital processing.
• Interviews patients to obtain medical and vascular histories used to recognize undetected disease through analysis of significant symptoms.
• Evaluates patient information to decide if additional testing is required beyond original provider requests.
• Confers with ordering providers as well as the vascular tech supervisor and vascular surgical team to ensure appropriate additional testing is completed when indicated.
• Compiles and analyzes patient history, physical examination, and non-invasive study data upon completion of examinations.
• Provides preliminary diagnostic evaluations to referring physicians and immediately alerts medical staff to critical abnormal results or emergency situations.
• Conducts interpretive and diagnostic evaluations as part of testing procedures, providing findings under the supervision.
• Generates diagnostic evaluation reports that influence subsequent patient management and treatment planning.
• Correlates data gathered from non-invasive testing with invasive studies (e.g., venograms and angiograms) for repeat patients to improve clinical performance and research.
• Assists intraoperatively with intraoperative ultrasound and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) procedures.
• Explains procedural methods and positions patients for requested examinations.
• Identifies and accounts for artifacts and abnormalities during procedures to produce high-quality, accurate studies.
• Complies with mandatory VHA Employee Education requirements.
• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.
• Maintains compliance with mandatory requirements in VHA directives, outpatient scheduling processes, and operational procedures.
• Organizes and sets up staff in-service training sessions and clinical conferences.
• Reviews developments in the field and recommends operational improvements to the supervisor.
• Stocks and maintains adequate inventory levels of lab supplies, report forms, and general office materials.
• Coordinates with equipment manufacturers to maximize service contracts/guarantees and acquire adaptable new technologies.
• Performs daily setup, maintenance, and cleanup of medical machinery in the laboratory per Infection Control policies.
• Applies principles of asepsis, sterilization, and infection control to enter sterile operating environments, removing and replacing patient dressings during procedures.
• Delivers care needed to obtain studies or as needed to patients who are seriously ill and may be supported with ventilator or other advanced support or present with varying degrees of physical disabilities, have wounds and complex medical conditions as needed.
• Willing to fill in weekend shifts if needed

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 identification 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.
• This is a clinical position. Consistent with VHA Directive 1177, candidates must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification prior to assuming clinical duties.

• 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.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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.
• 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:

GS-9:

• Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower GS-8 grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to fully perform all vascular ultrasound tests and examinations and to function as a technical director of the vascular laboratory and provide oversight and/or guidance to other technicians.
  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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
  1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to vascular ultrasonography.
  2. *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
  3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
  4. *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

Preferred Experience:

• Professional Certifications: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Sonographer (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.
• Advanced Vascular Duplex Imaging: Demonstrated experience independently performing complex abdominal, visceral, and specialized color duplex evaluations, including:
  • Mesenteric artery duplex studies
  • Renal artery stenosis and graft surveillance
  • Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) / AAA post-intervention surveillance
  • Temporal artery duplex scans (Giant Cell Arteritis assessment)
• Physiological and Microvascular Testing: Proficiency in conducting comprehensive non-invasive physiological testing and tissue oxygenation assessments, including:
  • Segmental Limb Pressures (SLPs)
  • Photoplethysmography (PPGs) and digital pressures
  • Transcutaneous Oxygen Measurements (TCOMs)

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements: This position requires regular physical exertion to safely and effectively perform a wide range of non-invasive vascular studies. The technician must be able to lift, position, and assist patients who may be seriously ill or have significant physical disabilities. Duties require standing and walking for prolonged periods, reaching and bending to operate equipment, and maintaining steady manual control for extended scanning procedures. The technician must be physically capable of entering sterile operating room environments and performing intraoperative ultrasound when needed. The role also requires the ability to adjust or refine procedures to accommodate patients who are debilitated, post-operative, or physically compromised. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.