The Medical Instrument Technician (Electrophysiology Lab) provides direct patient care to patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional procedures. The Medical Instrument Technicians (Electrophysiology Lab) 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 Electrophysiology.

Duties

Duties may include: Cardiac Catheterization / Electrophysiology Technician at this level function as full members of the Cardiac Catheterization /Electrophysiology Laboratory Team. They scrub, circulate, operate equipment, etc., on the most complex examination and treatment procedures such as left and right hearth catheterizations, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, percutaneous coronary, carotid and peripheral interventions, endocardial biopsy, radio frequency ablation procedures, and intra-aortic balloon pump therapy. They mentor and train lower graded technicians, nursing students, and cardiopulmonary/electrophysiology technology students on cardiac catheterization/EP laboratory procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities. The incumbent provides technical assistance to the cardiologist during all procedures occurring in the EP lab. These duties include but are not limited to: LHC, RHC, PCI, Stent deployment, IABP, TAVR, Atherectomies, pericardiocentisis, biopsies, temporary pacemakers, EP studies, permanent pacemaker and ICD placement and peripheral, renal and Carotid procedures. The incumbent monitors the progression of procedures requiring independent judgment in order to provide specific instrument and or catheters, as they are needed in anticipation of request. Assists the unit manager improving technical training for new employees, fellows and students. Directs patient inquiries to appropriate person. The accurate monitoring and recording of intra-vascular pressures and electrocardiograph tracings require knowledge of normal/abnormal waveforms and cardiac rhythms. This is needed for patient safety during procedures and keeping the physician abreast of patient's status to prevent life threatening situations. The incumbent must distinguish electrical artifact from normal/abnormal pressures and EKG patterns. The incumbent operates digital radiographic computer systems, assists physician in procedure by performing scrub person duties, injection of contrast, and/or panning during the procedure. Has expertise in data acquisition, data storage and rearrangement, data retrieval, independent operation of programs used to analyze a variety of cardiac functions (i.e. coronary anatomy, coronary flow reserve, mapping, LV function and EF calculation). Able to trouble shoot equipment failures and independently correct the problem short of electrical involvement. Calibration of instruments and calculation of all pressures, heart rates and other recorded parameters. Retrieving and re-calculation of data as necessary. Expertise in the archiving of images both CD and PAC systems. Preps patient prior to procedures. Aides in patient teaching, pre, intra, and post procedure. Filing of reports in patient chart and cardiology files. Is responsible for completion of patient record to include EP report and nurses note. The incumbent is under the unit Supervisor and Manager of the Cardiology Section who relies on the input from the Registered Nurse(s) assigned to the Labs. The incumbent proceeds in his/her work using independent judgment and following guidelines, set by departmental and hospital policies. The supervisor places considerable reliance on technician's knowledge of complex procedures, but is available for consultation and advice, if situation warrants. Work Schedule: Hours to be determined by service Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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". 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-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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. Assignment. The cardiac catheterization technician at this level aids physicians in aspects of cardiac catheterization and related invasive procedures such as coronary angioplasty, pulmonary angioplasty, and intra-aortic balloon insertion. The technician must be able to recognize cardiac arrhythmias and take appropriate action. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. Assignment. Cardiac catheterization technicians at this level aid physicians in all aspects of standard cardiac catheterization and related invasive procedures such as coronary angioplasty, pulmonary angioplasty, and intra-aortic balloon insertion. They select, set up, and calibrate surgical instruments, catheters, radiographic contrast injectors, and radiographic imaging devices. They prepare cardiac medication for administration by the physician and must be able to recognize cardiac arrhythmias and take appropriate action. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Cardiac catheterization technicians at this level function as full members of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Team. They scrub, circulate, operate equipment, etc., on the most complex examination and treatment procedures including procedures such as endocardial biopsy, radio frequency ablation procedures, and intra-aortic balloon pump therapy for very critical patients. They prepare and administer cardiac medications as directed by the attending physician. They mentor and train lower graded technicians, nurses, nursing students, and cardiopulmonary technology students on cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities. Preferred Experience: A minimum of 1 year EP experience and preferred RCIS and ACLS certifications. References: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G - 27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. Physical Requirements: Duties are performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Electrophysiology Laboratory as well as other areas in Cardiology. The incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease. The majority of time is spent working in the labs wearing Lead Aprons of 20 - 40 pounds. The incumbent must be able to stand for up to 8 - 10 hours in a Lead Apron while providing patient care. The incumbent must be able to lift up to 20 pounds of equipment, supplies and records. Additionally, the incumbent will be required to transport patients on stretchers, beds and wheelchairs. When not in a Lead Apron, there is the potential for extended periods of sitting at computer terminals. The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties.

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 Ann Arbor VA Medical Center 2215 Fuller Road Ann Arbor, MI 48105 US
• Name: Nikki Lane
• Phone: 734-222-7664
• Email: [email protected]