Summary

The Tennessee Valley Healthcare System is seeking a Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) to join our team in providing care to our patients. MIT for Vascular Service works in the Vascular Laboratory within the Surgery Service Line who independently performs standard and complex non-invasive vascular studies and examinations. The MIT - Vascular evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures - and rearranges patients scheduled to accommodate them.

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
• Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation
• however - it is strongly desirable
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) GS-9 Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8) - 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities at the GS-8 level
• Candidates must demonstrate all of the KSAs below: 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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
• The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) 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
• *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• *Ability to manage and supervise employees
• *Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training 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)
• Preferred Experience: Minimum 2 years of focused vascular diagnostic laboratory experience
• 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) 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time - frequent bending - reaching - stooping - and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus - lifting and repositioning patients (60 to 200 plus pounds) - and pushing or pulling heavy objects and/or equipment
• This position also requires to be prepared to assist patients when needed
• Must be able to complete the duties of an Medical Instrument Technician (MIT)

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The MIT - Vascular Service must demonstrate a knowledge base of cross-sectional anatomy and physiology as well as medical terminology in order to perform procedures with a high degree of accuracy
• The MIT - Vascular Service will also maintain records and other information as needed to satisfy all regulatory and quality assurance/quality improvement requirements - including achieving and maintaining accreditation with the lntersocietal Accreditation Commission for the laboratory
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Perform routine and specialized non-invasive vascular ultrasound tests and studies Capture necessary images and documentation as it pertains to non- invasive vascular tests and studies Timely documentation of preliminary reports from non-invasive vascular ultrasound test findings in the electronic patient record Recognize - document and communicate with appropriate priority both critical (abnormalities and anomalies) and non-critical test findings to referring provider(s) Responsible for ordering and maintaining adequate supplies in the Vascular Lab Responsible for routine diagnostic equipment cleaning and care
• Recognizes equipment malfunction and performs basic troubleshooting
• Communicates with bioengineering staff - equipment sales representatives and equipment service personnel to restore optimal function of the diagnostic equipment - as needed Respond to patient questions and concerns regarding exam procedures and process Complete all paperwork and electronic forms (e.g. - consults and encounters) associated with technical procedures Respond to providers' and clinicians' questions and needs regarding patient procedures and care Serve as one of the main points of contact and liaison between the vascular laboratory and all internal and external customers Review consults for timely and proper scheduling Practice all necessary patient and staff safety - infection control - and contact precaution processes and procedures Assess and monitor patient's physical and mental status during examinations
• Administer first aid or provide life support in emergency situations
• Perform basic patient care task as needed
• Request the assistance of additional personnel when warranted
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - Tour of Duty may vary based on needs of the service Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized