Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT PERMANENT VA EMPLOYEES AND OTHER CURRENT PERMANENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES OF OTHER AGENCIES IF YOU ARE NOT A PERMANENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEE, YOU SHOULD APPLY UNDER THE ANNOUNCEMENT CBTC-12844562-26-LS

The Cardiovascular Technician functions independently as a member of the cardiovascular lab under the supervision of the nurse manager. The technician works with the patient care team that includes registered nurses, cardiovascular technologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other on peripheral vascular disease. Catheterization/Electrophysiology Technicians perform diagnostic tests, both invasive and noninvasive, of the pulmonary system (lung) and the cardiovascular system (heart and circulation).

The MIT (Cardiac Cath) duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Cardiac Cath / Electrophysiology Technician at this level function as full members of the Laboratory Team. They scrub, circulate, operate equipment, etc., on the most complex examination and treatment procedures such as left and right hearth catheterizations, percutaneous coronary, carotid and peripheral interventions, endocardial biopsy, radio frequency ablation procedures, and intra-aortic balloon pump therapy.
• Mentor and train lower graded technicians, nursing students, and cardiopulmonary/electrophysiology technology students on laboratory procedures and assist the supervisor/manager with quality control and performance improvement activities.
• Provides technical assistance to the cardiologist during all procedures occurring in the Cath lab/Electrophysiology lab. These duties include but are not limited to: LHC, RHC, PCI, Stent deployment, IABP, TAVR, Atherectomies, pericardiocentesis, biopsies, temporary pacemakers, EP studies, permanent pacemaker and ICD placement. 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.
• Be able to function independently during a diagnostic catheterization from patient preparation table setup, scrub, hemodynamic monitoring, circulate, sheath pulling and patient education.
• Be able to assist with more complicated procedures such as right heart catheterization, temporary pacemaker insertions, intra-aortic balloon pump, Percutaneous Transluminal Cardiac Angioplasty (PTCA) and peripheral vascular studies.
• Accurate monitoring and recording of intra-vascular pressures and electrocardiograph tracings require knowledge of normal/abnormal waveforms and cardiac rhythms. Must distinguish electrical artifact from normal/abnormal pressures and EKG patterns.
• 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).
• Assist with trouble shooting equipment failures and 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.
• Ability to archive images in 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 catheterization/electrophysiology report and nurses note.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
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)
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: Not eligible for telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 30357F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be US Citizen. 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, per VA Handbook 5005, Qualification Standards.
• 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.
• Licensure or Certification - Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years Cath Lab Technologist Experience
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications
• Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

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:

• Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and basic electrocardiography.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques, catheterization laboratory supplies, and equipment used in the procedure.
• Ability to circulate, assist, monitor and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure.
• Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized, routine procedures.
• Knowledge of and ability to prepare intra-aortic balloon catheters.

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:

• Ability to assist with insertion of temporary transvenous pacemaker catheters.
• Ability to maintain intra-aortic balloon pump equipment during procedure.
• Ability to complete individual cases by pulling sheaths and holding pressure to obtain hemostasis.
• Ability to assist with closure devices.
• Ability to appropriately educate patients and patient families regarding procedures and post-catheterization care.

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. They select, set up, and calibrate surgical instruments, catheters, radiographic contrast injectors, and radiographic imaging devices.

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:

• 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.
• 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.

GS-9
Specialized Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-08, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and applicant must fully meet the KSAs listed below.

• Experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of cardiac catheterization technician services. 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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.
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
• Ability to manage and supervise employees.
• Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training

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.

Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work requires, occasional heavy lifting, (45 pounds and over), occasional heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), moderate straight pulling, frequent patient positioning on exam table, moderate walking, occasional climbing, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid (permitted), emotional stability, ability to hear whispered voice, the use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, prolonged standing (6-8 hrs.), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• License/Registry Certificate (if applicable)
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications
• ARRT certification.

Current VA employees must submit the following:***SF50: must be current (indicate current title, series, grade and salary) and/or highest grade held SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action (Not an award SF50).

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Resume/CV
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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