This position is in the Medical Service of the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) in Aurora, Colorado. The medical instrument technician (vascular) functions as a technician. They are expected to perform the full range of vascular ultrasound and ankle-brachial index 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. 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: Education. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. 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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-4 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. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR, Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology.2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used.3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress.4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5 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 in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR, Education: Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. Demonstrated KSAs:1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-6 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 routine, standardized vascular ultrasound procedures where the technician is not expected to deviate from established procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1. Ability to perform standardized, routine vascular ultrasound procedures and/or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels.2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography.3. Ability to prepare preliminary reports from the examination including documentation of procedural difficulties in the medical record. GS-7 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 positions to be filled. This would be experience which demonstrates that the technician has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform complex procedures requiring the ability to select appropriate equipment based on symptomology and the objective of the examination and the ability to adapt procedures and techniques to enhance diagnostic results. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to perform noninvasive vascular ultrasound procedures or examinations of upper and lower extremity, abdominal, and extra-cranial cerebrovascular vessels which require adaptation of procedures or instruments.2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location and function of major body organs and structures as they relate to vascular ultrasonography. This would also include knowledge of physiological influences on the hemodynamics of blood flow.3. Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry to understand drug reactions, action, effects, and method of administration specifically related to vascular ultrasonography.4. Knowledge of disease entities that impact the vascular system and their influence on the test results to select the appropriate procedures.5. Ability to obtain a patient history and perform and appropriate physical assessment based on patient presentation and type of exam to include observation, inspection, auscultation, and palpation. 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 technician. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. ["NOTE: This announcement will remain open until 28 February, or, until all vacancies are filled. Review of qualified applications received will be conducted weekly. Duties of the position may include but are not limited to: Demonstrates the ability to operate and maintain the treadmill, photoplethysmography, electronic Doppler, duplex scanner and other monitoring devices that are available for all vascular diagnostic procedures. Conducts scanning procedures using ultrasound equipment; moves scanner over specified body area; ensures digital images obtained and sent to reading and archiving system. Selects appropriate transducer to optimize visualization, depending on depth of field, vessels to be identified, etc. Adjusts equipment to focus and position patient to optimize testing results. Performs arterial, venous, carotid, and abdominal visceral tests; ensures safety and care of patients undergoing testing. Is able to provide Doppler information of peripheral vessels; demonstrate characteristic differences related to the organs they supply; accurately quantify carotid artery stenosis; and identify and correlate specific waveform analysis, plethysmographic tracings, velocity changes, and pressure gradient so normal, obstructed, or occluded vessels or graphs. Devises and maintains a protocol and procedure manual regarding the function of the Vascular Laboratory and make revisions and additions when necessary. Prepare patient education materials pertinent to vascular disease and related surgical procedures. Perform necessary patient teaching Trains others in the performance of the above techniques and procedures. Receives sales representatives as necessary for the consideration of purchase of new equipment. Be responsible for record keeping of all procedures performed in the Vascular Lab. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-55891-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
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