Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) will respond to the needs of the Vascular Team. Independent work is an integral part of the position. The technician plans and carries out examinations in line with training and accepted practices, and independently makes recommendations about clinical situations, procedures or changes to procedures in some situations; is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of MIT(Vascular) auxiliary staff. 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. English Language Proficiency: Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 38 U.S.C. 7407(d) Grade Determinations: GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. 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 manage and supervise employees. *5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. (c) Certification. 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. (d) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 1. Special Assignments. Non-supervisory vascular technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level. 2. Lead Vascular Technician. In certain programs, either because of their size and scope or because of a lack of specific supervisory positions, lead positions may be appropriate. 3. Supervisory Vascular Technician. Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the work of subordinate technicians. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; providing Vascular Sonography services in more complex cases; reviewing and making recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures; providing instruction and training to new staff; interviewing candidates for positions; recommending selections, advancements, promotions; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs. GS-10. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. 1. Advanced knowledge of the most complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques. *2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program. *3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. *4. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget. *5. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions. (c) Certification. 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 desirable. (d) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 1. Special Assignments. There may be a rare non-supervisory position supporting this grade level. Such a position would typically include knowledge of standards of medical practice in applicable medicolegal responsibilities in vascular ultrasound procedures as well as teaching the correct methodology of vascular ultrasound procedures, theory of operations, and theory of interpretation of results to trainees. 2. Supervisory Vascular Technician. Individuals at this level plan and direct programs at affiliated medical centers and their satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of non-supervisory personnel and at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment; providing vascular sonography services in more complex and nonstandard cases; evaluating new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations; participating as an instructor in the facility's clinical training program; making final decisions on selections based on recommendations from subordinate supervisors or leads; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs. Authority: 38 U.S.C. §§ 7402, 7403 References: See VA Handbook 5005 /98, Part II, Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS10. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["Duties include but are not limited to: The Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) performs difficult ultrasound technical duties including: a. The Vascular Technologist coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative in the application of non-ionizing high frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis of disease in the clinic or on the inpatient unit Portable and emergent examinations are required. b. Must understands the principles of grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound as well as segmental. plethysmography, pulse volume recordings, ankle brachial indices and pre-and post-exercise testing and equipment, and the highly specialized equipment well enough to approve the quality and acceptability or non-acceptability of each examination. c. Prepares the patient for pre-and post-exercise stress testing, utilizing applicable equipment d. Receives and identifies patients, explains methods of procedures, assists movement of patients to and from wheelchairs, carts and tables, positions the patient and performs examinations requested. e. Performs vascular sonography studies, records and prepares the processed media for interpretation by the staff radiologist. Maintains records of patients in the Vista radiology package and any other commercial PACS. f. Schedules and prepares patients for exams and explains-procedures to patients while performing the studies. g. Obtains pertinent diagnostic vascular examinations for the physician, which may be necessary for correlation between the ultrasound scan and the clinical history. h. Routinely performs vascular studies which include, but are not limited to, central, peripheral and cerebral applications, ABI, arterial duplex, venous duplex, renal artery duplex, and visceral vascular exams of the abdomen. Regularly performs preoperative upper and lower extremity vein mappings for vascular surgeons, as well as chronic venous insufficiency studies. Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, chest and extremities, retroperitoneal space, pelvis, OB, and Vascular studies for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders. Explains examinations to be performed to the patients so that understandings of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood. k. Recognizes all the elements of a diagnostic ultrasound examination and consults with Staff Vascular Surgeons to determine the proper diagnosis. Knowledge of cross-sectional, coronal, longitudinal and variable plane 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, stenosis, occlusions, AV fistulae, and morphology of atherosclerotic plaque formulation. n. 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. o. Ability to provide objective data to document progression or regression of disease. p. Performs training of technicians or technologists for any new ultrasound or vascular procedure. q. Performs routine clerical procedures as necessary to include calling patients the day prior to remind them of their appointments and describe any exam prep required. r. Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section. s. Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary equipment and supplies. t. Reviews related information found in the patient's electronic medical record to correlate lab and x-ray for the radiologist. u. Provides and sends ultrasound images and related information to the vascular surgeon responsible for the interpretation of the exams. v. Operates multi-image camera for the-purpose of making hard copy cords of ultrasound examinations. x. Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to assure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary. Trains new and established technologists. Maintains own competencies at the \"mastery level.\" The incumbent has expert level expertise in the medical practice of ultrasound and the associated medical-legal responsibilities in diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound procedures. Ramifications include clinical, research and teaching as applied to technical skills and medical legal responsibilities. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00am - 4:30pm; on call within the rotation schedule Compressed/Flexible: Not Eligible Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized to highly qualified candidates"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.