Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

Summary

The Vascular Medical Instrument Technician provides specialized, high-quality diagnostic services by applying advanced vascular ultrasonography techniques and supporting physicians in clinical settings. The role combines technical expertise, patient care, laboratory management, and supervisory guidance to ensure accurate diagnosis, safe procedures, and optimal patient outcomes.

Duties

Performs high quality standardized and routine non-invasive diagnostic vascular testing, including duplex ultrasonography, Doppler analysis, and plethysmography which require adaptation of procedures. The vascular ultrasound examinations performed include: cerebrovascular duplex, upper and lower extremity arterial and venous duplex, abdominal duplex (aorta, aortic endograft, aorto-iliac, hepatoportal, inferior vena cava, mesenteric and renal artery/renal transplant), hemodialysis access scan, hemodialysis steal study, and upper and lower extremity physiologic exams; for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations and providing a preliminary report for review by the vascular surgeon/radiologist to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of various medical disorders. No intracranial or penile vascular studies are performed. Verifies patient identification and ensures that the requested procedure correlates with the patient's clinical history, presentation, and reason for referral. This requires conducting a patient interview for pertinent medical history and current symptoms, physically assessing the patient through observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation; and review of the medical record for previous angiographic data, surgical findings and other pertinent information. If after evaluating this data, the requested procedure is not relevant, consultation with the referring provider is required for clarification and to determine the most appropriate procedure. Documentation of procedural findings, preliminary reports, patient education, and any unusual observations and/or difficulties are required at the time of the occurrence. The technologist provides verbal notification to the vascular surgeon, radiologist or referring physician of significant abnormalities and urgent findings that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination. Cognitive sonographic skills are used to identify and record anatomical, pathological, and diagnostic images and tracings to evaluate blood flow, collateral pathways, anatomical pathology, and vessel measurements. The vascular sonographer complies with established protocols and standard scanning techniques, deviating from these techniques as needed to extract the highest quality image possible. Apply both quantitative and qualitative methods of assessing arterial, venous, and cerebrovascular blood flow. Recognize the significance of all structures, differentiate normal from abnormal, and compensate for artifact. Procedures must be performed according to established and validated techniques, using a variety of modalities and testing equipment to include: (a) B-mode scanning, (b) duplex imaging, with and without color flow, (c) spectral Doppler analysis, (d) blood pressure monitoring, and (e) photoplethysmography. Operate complex ultrasound equipment, Doppler systems, printers/recorders, and other patient assessment equipment. Selects appropriate equipment, transducer and protocol for each examination. Skilled in instrument operation to extract the highest quality image utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter, and sample volume. Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to ensure accurate results. Responsibilities also include adhering to equipment operation and maintenance guidelines, the ability to troubleshoot equipment to assess the need for repair, maintaining adequate inventory of supplies and ensuring efficient, cost-effective utilization of resources. Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for vascular ultrasound examinations to minimize delays of examinations. These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: 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. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications and evaluation

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.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/23/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13087060. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.