Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public 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.

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. 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.

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 8 Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

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 addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities: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.

Certification -Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

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.


Preferred Experience: At least 3-5 years of full-time experience that demonstrates the knowledge skill and abilities and other characteristics related to the duties to proficiently perform noninvasive diagnostic peripheral vascular procedures. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team. Detail-oriented with strong interpersonal technical and organizational skills.

Registration/Credentials: Current registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT).

Education Graduate of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Vascular Technology Program accredited by the Joint Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit position is at full performance level.

Physical Requirements: On a frequent basis during the tour this position requires the technician to endure extended periods of standing walking sitting bending lifting and twisting. The technician is required to regularly carry and push moderately heavy items. The technician must be able to use hands to handle manipulate feel objects tools and controls The technician is required to view computer monitors and type for extended periods of time. The technician must be able to audibly detect the presence or absence of an audible signal and must be able to visualize details at close range distinguish colors and shades of gray.