The Veterans Healthcare Administration is recruiting for a Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Cath Lab) for the Medical Specialty Nursing Service.

Duties

Catheterization Technicians perform under physicians' direction, both diagnostic and interventional invasive procedures, of the cardiovascular system (heart and circulation) and pulmonary system (lungs). They operate monitor and collect data from instruments used in procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angiography, angioplasty and other coronary intervention, cardiac pacing, or cardiac pacemaker and lead wire insertion. Major duties include but are not limited 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. 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. Prepare and administer cardiac medications as directed by the attending physician. 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. Assists 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 not 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 levels are consistently maintained and holding/receiving/recovery areas are consistently organized, safe and well stocked. Develops ongoing technical proficiency in clinical 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 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 an organized and timely fashion, deadlines for activities are met and specific support functions are handled in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned by management Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0730-1800 Subject to change based on Agency Needs. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53352F 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 appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). Education or Training. 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. 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-8(a) 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: (b) 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. (c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. (d) 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: RCIS Formal CVT training On the job experience Cath Lab / EP experience 2+ years ACLS/BLS References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard GS-649 VHA. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

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: Rosemay McIntosh
• Phone: 404-719-2985
• Email: [email protected]