Vascular Medical Technologist

**Overview of Position**

Vascular technologists are a highly specialized group of allied health professionals who perform non-invasive studies using ultrasound and blood pressure measurements to assess for vascular diseases or disorders. They are important members of the vascular and surgical team; they assist physicians in the planning and management of a patient’s treatment.

Local vascular technologists are trained on-the-job. They typically work with a high level of independence as they are required to compile information gathered from a series of vascular related examinations to give a preliminary impression for the physicians. In order to do this, vascular technologists are required to have adequate training in vascular scanning techniques, physiological testing as well as have an in-depth knowledge about vascular disease.

A minimum of two years training is required for a vascular technologist trainee to be competent in all aspects of vascular testing. A professional certification awarded by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) is required at the end of training.

Vascular technologists work in a fast-paced and physically demanding environment. Vascular studies typically take between 30 minutes to as long as 2-3 hours depending on the number of scans ordered.

**Responsibilities**
- Finger/ankle/toe-brachial pressure index studies for evaluation of peripheral arterial diseases. In relatively fit patients, exercise ankle-brachial index can be performed to determine the severity of claudication in the lower limb (pain in lower limb muscles as a result of impaired blood flow) when they are on the move.
- Arterial studies for lower and upper extremities for evaluation of peripheral arterial disease. For patients who present with intermittent claudication, ulcers/gangrene in the extremities etc.
- Carotid (neck) arteries for blockages.
- Screening and surveillance of abdominal aorta, iliac and visceral (renal, mesenteric and celiac etc) arteries for disorders like aneurysm (abnormally large arteries), dissection (tear in the wall of the artery), blockages in the arteries, follow-up for post stent insertion or bypass surgery.
- Pre-operative scan for arterio-venous fistula creation (for dialysis) to determine the patency and lumen diameters of blood vessels in the upper or lower limbs.
- Surveillance study of arterio-venous fistula or graft when difficulties are encountered during dialysis eg. Increase arterial or venous pressures, difficulties in needling etc.
- Venous studies of the upper and lower limbs for deep vein thrombosis (blood clot).
- Varicose veins/venous reflux studies for chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, spider veins etc.
- Pre-cardiac or vascular surgery screening/assessment to determine lumen diameters of conduits for harvest. They include great saphenous veins, radial arteries and internal mammary arteries.
- Specialised vascular studies for compression syndrome like thoracic outlet syndrome for the upper limb, May-Thurner syndrome (compression of left iliac vein), nutcracker syndrome (compression of left renal vein), median arcuate ligament syndrome (compression of celiac artery) etc.
- Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TCPO2) studies to detect viable tissue in the extremities to determine healing of wound or determine optimum amputation level.
- Intra-operative scanning of vessels for difficult cases.

**Requirements**:

- Degree in Biomedical Sciences/Medical Technology/Nursing/Biotechnology /Life Sciences.
- Possess a positive, a can-do and proactive working attitude, with initiative and flexibility.
- Self-driven individual willing to learn a new skill.
- Meticulous, with good organization skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills.