The Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization) provides direct patient care to patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional procedures. Technicians at this level function as full members of 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 critical patients.

Duties

Ability to scrub, circulate, and monitor advanced procedures (including electrophysiological) to include rotoblation, intravascular ultrasound RADI or wave-wire, Angio jet, filter wires, myocardial biopsies EPS, permanent pacemaker insertions, AICD insertions, and biventricular pacemaker insertion. Set-up, calibrates, operate and troubleshoot equipment. Recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal, artifact from abnormality, and forewarn the physician of an impending life-threatening situation. Prepare and analyze quality control of test results. Mentor and train lower graded technicians, nurses, nursing students, and cardiopulmonary technology students on cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures and assist the supervisor/manger with quality a control and performance improvement activities. Assist lab clinical staff with patient care, as needed, before and after invasive procedures to include, patient preparation pre-procedure is assisted with as needed and assigned, procedure/supply set up is consistently and appropriately performed, procedure equipment is prepared and calibrated as needed and post procedure care is assisted with including but no limited to monitoring of patient vital signs, sheath removal and patient transportation. Participates in supporting lab operations to include supplies are received and stocked appropriately, supplies are assessed, reordered and par level are consistently maintained, and holding /receiving recovery areas are consistently organized, safe and well stocked. Develops ongoing technical proficiency in clinic support role to include assistance to the physician is provided throughout the procedure within the scope of the technicians defined skills/competency including scrubbing into the procedure and operating imaging equipment with appropriate direct oversight, sterile technique is maintained, and procedure supply needs/product requirements are met as needed. Other duties as assigned to include participation in the training of students, residents, and fellows is provided as appropriate including acting as a preceptor/mentor for new and developing lab staff, accuracy and quality are maintained for activities, specific support functions are handled in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and basic electrocardiography Knowledge of sterile techniques, catheterization laboratory supplies, and equipment used in the procedures Ability to circulate, assist, monitor, and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure. Advanced Knowledge of equipment, medications, and supplies used in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the ability to set-up, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot their equipment. 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 abnormity, and forewarn the physician of an impending life threating situation. Knowledge of quality control and performance improvement indicators for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and ability to prepare and analyze quality control of test results. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position .Functional Statement #: 53352F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. 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: All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry. 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-5 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. 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: 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. Grade Determinations: 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. Grade Determinations: 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. Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54, PART II, APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: The Cardiac Catheterization Technician will be able to meet the physical demands of the position. The work requires long periods of standing for 4 to 6 hours and physical exertion. The Cardiac Catherization Technician will lift and bend frequently to position patients for testing. Reaching and stretching is required to set up equipment; pushing and pulling ambulatory equipment is necessary between patient care areas. The incumbent will also be required to wear 15 pound of lead.

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]