The Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization) provides direct patient care to patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional procedures. The Medical Instrument Technicians (Cardiac Catheterization) performs, under a physician's direction, diagnostic tests, both invasive and noninvasive, of the pulmonary system (lung) and the cardiovascular system (hear and circulation). They operate, monitor, and collect data from instruments used in procedures such as cardiac catheterization.

Duties

The Cardiac Catheterization Technician operate, monitor, and collect data from instruments used in procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angiography, valvuloplasty, angioplasty, electrophysiology studies, cardiac pacing, cardiac pacemaker lead wire insertion, bronchoscopy, and endobronchial ultrasound. The Cardiac Catheterization Technician executes position responsibilities and demonstrates leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex systems including the following:

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. 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. Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Grandfathering Provision:?????? 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: Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization) 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. 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: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and basic electrocardiography. 2. Knowledge of sterile techniques, catheterization laboratory supplies, and equipment used in the procedures. 3. Ability to circulate, assist, monitor, and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure. 4. Knowledge of and ability to prepare intra-aortic balloon catheters. GS-7 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to assist with insertion of temporary transvenous pacemaker catheters. 2. Ability to maintain intra-aortic balloon pump equipment during procedures. 3. Ability to complete individual cases by pulling sheaths and holding pressure to obtain hemostasis. 4. Ability to assist with closure devices. 5. Ability to appropriately educate patients and patient families regarding procedures and post-catheterization care. GS-8 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics of the positions to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to scrub, circulate, and monitor advanced procedures (including electrophysiological) to include rotoblation, intravascular ultrasound, RADI or wave-wire, angiojet, filter wires, myocardial biopsies EPS, permanent pacemaker insertions, AICD insertions, and biventricular pacemaker insertion. 2. Advanced knowledge of equipment, medications, and supplies used in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the ability to set-up, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot this equipment. 3. Knowledge and understanding of wave forms from the great vessels and all chambers of the heart including the ability to recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal, artifact from abnormality, and forewarn the physician of an impending life-threatening situation. 4. Knowledge of quality control and performance improvement indicators for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and ability to prepare and analyze quality control of test results. Preferred Experience: 1-2 years of experience working in a cardiac cath lab, electrophysiology (EP) lab, or Interventional Radiology (IR) lab in multiple roles, including scrubbing, circulating, monitoring, and utilizing fluoroscopy systems. 1 year of work experience (scrubbing, circulating, monitoring, utilizing fluoroscopy systems) in an interventional cardiac cath lab that provides PCI, CIED, and STEMI services. 1-2 years experience in the set-up, timing, and insertion of Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP). 1-2 years experience in setting up, scrubbing and assisting in the use of specialized cath lab/IR equipment, such as, Angiojet, Shockwave, IVUS, rotablator atherectomy, Jetstream, and Commander CO2 Delivery systems. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54, PART II, APPENDIX G27 Physical Requirements: The tasks of this position generally require sitting, standing, occasional crouching or kneeling. Moderate lifting is required to move equipment throughout the procedure areas. Considerable manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are continuously required during procedures. This includes continuous observations of computer screen, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that demands coordination and stamina.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: Rolane Jack
• Phone: 808-835-9634
• Email: [email protected]