Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization) provides specialized technical support to the total scope of operation needed to operate the Cardiac Cath/Electrophysiology Laboratories. They operate highly complex equipment which requires the knowledge and proficiency to operate and maintain in optimum working order; this requires the proficiency to be such that calibration and quality control is maintained and monitored daily and during routine and lifesaving procedures.

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"
• At this level - it is highly desirable that supervisors possess certification in one or more appropriate functional areas
• 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-9. (a) Experience
• At least 1 year of experience - comparable to the next lower grade level - which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• This would be experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide the most complex cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology techniques
• Equivalent experience and roles include special assignments such as - providing cardiac catheterization technician services in more complex cases
• reviewing and making recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures
• 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
• 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
• Knowledge of quality control and performance improvement indicators for the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and ability to prepare and analyze quality control of test results
• Scrubbing - circulating - and operating equipment 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
• 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
• AND (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 1
• Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures - to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects - and to write policies - procedures - and protocols - that pertain to the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory
• 2
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• 3
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• 4
• Ability to manage and supervise employees
• 5
• Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• (c) Certification
• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) is highly desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level
• Preferred Experience: ARRT strongly preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-9. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over - Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds - Straight pulling 2 hours - pulling hand over hand 2hours - pushing 2 hours - reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - walking 7 hours - standing 7 hours - repeated bending 2hours - far vision correctable in one eye to20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - Ability to distinguish basic colors - Hearing (aid permitted) - Mental and emotional stability.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This incumbent operates highly complex equipment that requires knowledge and proficiency to operate and maintain in optimum working order
• Instrumentation includes - but not limited to
• Data collection - the use of Avoximeter Blood Gas Analyzer - ACT/iStat Analyzer - Medrad/ACIST Contrast Injectors - Intra-vascular Ultrasound Imaging - Rotablator - Flow retriever - Shockwave - Intra-Aortic Balloon pumps - OCT/FFR/RFR/IFR Analyzer - Impella Assist device as well as other interventional and Electrophysiology equipment
• Typically these duties include: Maintaining day-to-day operation of the Cardiology/Electrophysiology laboratories Report any Department equipment malfunctions to include disconnections - failure - breakage - and availability of equipment required to maintain safe patient operation Data that is collected and reviewed from such complex procedures as angiography - angioplasty - Orbital atherectomy - stents - cutting balloons - pericardiocentesis - valve studies - IAB insertions - temporary/permanent pacemakers - Intravascular/intracoronary ultrasound - OCT/FFR/RFR/IFR systems and electrophysiology studies with the ability to operate the Hemodynamic/ Physiologic Recorder - Micro-Pace Stimulator - Ablation devices - Endocardial Solutions Mapping System - CARTO Mapping System - defibrillators and various catheters and connectors and equipment related to these procedures Provides backup support to the non-invasive exercise stress laboratory or EKG station Work Schedule: 0700-1530 - Monday-Friday - with on-call rotation Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Only at supervisory discretion - Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000