Career Center

Summary

Medical Instrument Cardiac Catheterization Lab 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). 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 leadwire insertion.

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
• 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"
• For all specialties identified in this standard - Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - in order to perform the duties in this position
• 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-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 cardiac anatomy - physiology - and basic electrocardiography
• Knowledge of sterile techniques - catheterization laboratory supplies - and equipment used in the procedures
• Ability to circulate - assist - monitor - and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure
• Knowledge of and ability to prepare intra-aortic balloon catheters
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable
• 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 procedures
• 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
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• 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 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
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• 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: 5 to 10 years of Medical Instrument Technician experience with Coronary and Electrophysiology Cath Lab Case Procedures - RCIS/RCES Certified
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 6 to GS 8
• Physical Requirements: Duties are performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Electrophysiology Laboratory as well as other areas in Cardiology
• The incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease
• Majority of time is spent working in the labs wearing Lead Aprons of 20 - 40 pounds
• The incumbent must be able to stand for up to 8 - 10 hours in a Lead Apron while providing patient care
• The incumbent must be able to lift (up to) 20 pounds of equipment - supplies and records
• Additionally - the incumbent will be required to transport patients on stretchers - beds and wheelchairs
• When not in a Lead Apron - there is the potential for extended periods of sitting at computer terminals
• The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Cardiac Catheterization 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)
• 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 leadwire insertion
• Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
• GS-6 Duties: Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties
• 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 Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties
• 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 Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties
• 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
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
• 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) Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92183A - 92184A - 92185A
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.