Summary Medical Instrument Technicians (Cardiac Catheterization) perform, under a physician's direction, diagnostic tests, both invasive and noninvasive, of the pulmonary system (lung) and the cardiovascular system (heart and circulation). They operate, monitor, and collect data from instruments used in procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angiography, valvuloplasty, angioplasty, electrophysiology studies, cardiac pacing, or cardiac pacemaker or lead wire insertion. Responsibilities The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) - Cardiac Catheterization serves in Patient Care Services at the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center. Cardiac Catheterization/Electrophysiology Technicians perform, under a physician's direction, diagnostic tests, both invasive and noninvasive, of the pulmonary system (lung) and the cardiovascular system (heart and circulation). The MIT (Cardiac Catheterization) duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Cardiac Catheterization 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. They 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. Directs patient inquiries to appropriate person. 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. Preferred Experience: IABP/Impella experience Pacer/ICD device scrub experience Clinical Certification Experience in Cath Lab EP experience Scrub experience ACLS Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be authorized for highly qualified candidate. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Functional Statement #: PD41053F Requirements 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 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, 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 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" Desired certifications include: 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. 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 must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This experience includes: Experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of cardiac catheterization technician services. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 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. Additionally, the knowledge, skills, and abilities at the next lower grade level (GS-8) are: 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. 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. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. If selected, you may be required to submit narrative responses then. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs at the GS-09 grade level and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ():: 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. Preferred Experience: IABP/Impella experience Pacer/CD device scrub experience Clinical Certification Experience in Cath Lab EP experience Scrub experience ACLS Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. 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. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
