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.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/28/2024.
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.
- 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.
- English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
Preferred Experience:
- Minimum 5 years' critical care or cath lab experience, preferred
- Must be able to stand for up to 60 minutes while wearing lead protection equipment
- Must be able to assist with patient transfer from stretcher/procedure table
- Must be able to rotate through an on-call schedule and respond to hospital emergencies in less than 30 minutes of being alerted
Grade Determinations:
Medical Instrument (Cardiac Catheterization)
GS-6
(a) 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:
(b) 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.
(c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.
(d) 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
(a) 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:
(b) 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.
(c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
certifications are desirable.
(d) 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 Full Performance Level
(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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/5, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standards. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-08.
Physical Requirements: Physical and mental status of individuals should enable them to perform all their duties under normal and emergent conditions. Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing aid permitted.