Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular)

Veterans Health Administration • Hampton, VA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vascular Medical Instrument Technician provides specialized diagnostic services using advanced vascular ultrasonography techniques and supports physicians in clinical settings. The role combines technical expertise, patient care, laboratory management, and supervisory guidance to support accurate diagnosis, safe procedures, and patient outcomes.

The technician performs standardized and routine non-invasive vascular studies, including duplex ultrasonography, Doppler analysis, and plethysmography. Examinations include cerebrovascular duplex; upper- and lower-extremity arterial and venous duplex; abdominal duplex studies; hemodialysis access scans and steal studies; and upper- and lower-extremity physiologic examinations. The technician acquires diagnostic images and tracings and provides preliminary reports for review by a vascular surgeon or radiologist. Intracranial and penile vascular studies are not performed in this position.

The technician confirms patient identity and that the requested procedure is appropriate based on the patient’s clinical history, presentation, and referral reason. This includes interviewing and assessing patients and reviewing relevant medical records. If the requested study appears inappropriate, the technician consults the referring provider. Findings, preliminary reports, patient education, unusual observations, and difficulties are documented when they occur. Significant or urgent abnormalities are communicated promptly to the appropriate physician.

The role requires use of sonographic skills to identify and record anatomy, pathology, and diagnostic findings; assess blood flow; distinguish normal from abnormal structures; and compensate for artifact. The technician follows established protocols while adapting techniques as needed to obtain high-quality images. Equipment and modalities include B-mode scanning, duplex imaging with and without color flow, spectral Doppler analysis, blood pressure monitoring, and photoplethysmography. The technician selects and adjusts equipment, transducers, and protocols; maintains and troubleshoots equipment; manages supplies; and supports cost-effective resource use. The technician also develops and maintains patient-preparation procedures and communicates preparation instructions in writing or by telephone.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position is not telework or virtual. Sign-on and relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, directly related to the duties, and meeting the applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of vascular anatomy, vascular disease, signs and symptoms, and the appearance of aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, thromboses, stenoses, occlusions, AV fistulae, and atherosclerotic plaque.
• Ability to provide Doppler information for peripheral vessels, quantify carotid artery stenoses, and interpret waveform analysis, plethysmographic tracings, velocity changes, and pressure gradients.
• Ability to perform intracranial (transcranial) vascular examinations as listed in the grade-level qualifications.
• Ability to operate vascular instruments and optimize image quality using appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter, and sample volume.
• Ability to provide objective data documenting progression or regression of disease.
• Knowledge of laboratory testing procedures, including maintenance, calibration, quality control, and accurate test performance.
• Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting complex problems.
• Knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery catheterization procedures, cardiac-output measurement, and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation procedures.
• Knowledge of airway-management techniques and applicable JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete required onboarding and pre-employment procedures.
• Must comply with the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program for health care personnel.
• Must serve the stated one- or two-year trial period if appointed.

Nice To Haves

• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Registration.
• One year of experience in vascular ultrasound.
• Ability to manage and supervise employees.
• Ability to provide or arrange staff development and training.

Responsibilities

• Perform non-invasive vascular diagnostic examinations, including duplex ultrasonography, Doppler analysis, and plethysmography.
• Conduct cerebrovascular, extremity arterial and venous, abdominal, hemodialysis access, hemodialysis steal, and extremity physiologic studies.
• Acquire and document high-quality diagnostic images, tracings, measurements, and preliminary reports for physician review.
• Verify patient identity and assess whether the requested procedure is appropriate based on the patient’s history, presentation, symptoms, and referral reason.
• Interview and physically assess patients, and review pertinent medical records and prior diagnostic or surgical information.
• Consult referring providers when a requested procedure may not be relevant and help determine an appropriate procedure.
• Document examination findings, preliminary reports, patient education, and unusual observations or difficulties when they occur.
• Promptly notify the vascular surgeon, radiologist, or referring physician of significant abnormalities and urgent findings.
• Apply quantitative and qualitative methods to assess arterial, venous, and cerebrovascular blood flow; distinguish normal from abnormal findings and compensate for artifact.
• Follow established and validated scanning protocols, adapting procedures as needed to obtain high-quality images.
• Operate and adjust ultrasound, Doppler, recording, and other patient-assessment equipment; select appropriate equipment, transducers, and protocols for each examination.
• Maintain and troubleshoot equipment, assess the need for repairs, manage supply inventory, and use resources efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Develop and maintain patient-preparation procedures and provide preparation instructions in writing or by telephone.
• Provide supervisory guidance and support laboratory management, as applicable to the assignment.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and are not detailed in the announcement.
• Potential annual-leave accrual credit for qualifying prior federal, work, or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed