MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN

Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular). The Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) will function in Surgical Service.

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Overview

* Accepting applications
* Open & closing dates

03/21/2024 to 04/22/2024

* Salary

$36,945 - $100,744 per year

* Pay scale & grade

GS 4 - 8

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

* Cleveland, OH

* Remote job

No

* Telework eligible

No

* Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

* Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

* Appointment type

Permanent -

* Work schedule

Full-time -

* Service

Excepted

* Promotion potential

8

* Job family (Series)

0649 Medical Instrument Technician

* Supervisory status

No

* Security clearance

Other

* Drug test

Yes

* Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

* Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

* Announcement number

CBSR-12362560-24-REG

* Control number

784603200

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This job is open to

* The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens

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Duties

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.

Physical Requirements: Requires longs periods of standing, walking, bending, and moving of patients who are sometimes unconscious or disabled. Must pass pre-employment physical and designated drug testing. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

* 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.

Work schedule: 7:30-4:00pm; 8:00-4:30pm; Flexible based on the needs of the service

Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available

Travel: Occasional travel may be required to Loraine CBOC

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement Title: Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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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.
* 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

* 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.)
* 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.
* Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
* 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.

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
* Ability to perform standardized, routine vascular ultrasound procedures and/or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels.
* Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography.
* Ability to prepare preliminary reports from the examination including documentation of procedural difficulties in the medical record.

* 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
* 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.
* 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.
* Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry to understand drug reactions, action, effects, and method of administration specifically related to vascular ultrasonography.
* Knowledge of disease entities that impact the vascular system and their influence on the test results to select the appropriate procedures.
* 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 (This represents the full performance level)

* 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
* 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.
* 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.
* Ability to perform intracranial (transcranial) vascular examinations.
* 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.
* 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: The Best Qualified candidates for this position will have the following preferred experience.

* Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
* Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Physical Requirements: Requires longs periods of standing, walking, bending, and moving of patients who are sometimes unconscious or disabled. Must pass pre-employment physical and designated drug testing. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

References: VA 5005/15 Part II Appendix G27

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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.

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* Benefits

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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