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This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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". English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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-8 (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. GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. (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 which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of cardiac catheterization technician services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.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. (d) 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. 1. Special Assignments. Non-supervisory medical instrument technician (cardiac catheterization) may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level. Preferred Experience: Cath lab, Electrophysiology lab, Operating Room or interventional radiology experience preferred also scrub experience. Certification-Basic Life Support (BLS) Required, Advanced Life Support preferred upon hire. References: 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-9. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling 2 hours, Pulling hand over hand 2 hours, Pushing 2 hours, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 7 hours, Standing 7 hours, Repeated bending 2 hours, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Mental and emotional stability. ["Duties include but not limited to: 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, Intra-Aortic Balloon pumps, OCT/FFR/RFR/IFR Analyzer, Impella Assist device as well as other interventional and Electrophysiology equipment. Digital X-Ray Imaging Systems, Physiologic/ComboLab recorders, Various mapping systems (CAR TO and ESI), CYRO ablation, Loop recorder, Ability to accurately measure electrophysiology EKG cycle lengths and operate Cardiac Output Systems. The technician is required to maintain day-to-day operation of the Cardiology/Electrophysiology laboratories. Reports any Department equipment malfunctions to include: disconnections, failure, breakage and availability of equipment required to maintain safe patient operation. Data 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/lntracoronary 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. Incumbent may be called upon to provide backup support to the non-invasive exercise stress laboratory or EKG station.Additional responsibilities to include but not limited to: Assist Technical Supervisor Cardiology over seeing budgetary controls and all ordering required to operate and maintain the invasive, non-invasive arenas of Cardiology. Trouble shoots in areas of equipment, inventory control management, consults and collaborates with Technical Supervisor regarding cardiology control points. An in-depth understanding of cardiac anatomy and physiology and complex instrumentation is necessary to perform cardiac catheterization/electrophysiology procedures and assist in Transeptal puncture Detailed knowledge of a wide variety of normal and abnormal cardiac diagnoses Must make rapid and accurate observations of patient reactions to testing and procedures being performed Alertness, precision in timing and coordination of action are all required, especially when performing procedures of long duration Detailed knowledge of cardiac/electrophysiology technologies utilized in the new prototype equipment, and modification of the settings and parameters in the procedure to optimize the best possible examination for the patient to include various research protocols. Knowledge of location of heart structures. Record and identify any anomalies indicative of disease, injury or other medically significant condition using all Ultrasound equipment. These are separate skills for which there are not standard guideline To maintain a high level of competency, the technician is preferred to be a Registered Radiological Technologist RT (R) or RCIS and comply with the continuing medical _education credits required by the American Society of Radiological Technologists and RCIS. Must be fully trained and knowledgeable in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other medical emergency procedures and have ability to recognize and identify medical emergencies and provide emergency assistance. Must be BLS/ACLS qualified. Knowledge of monitoring equipment and ability to monitor continuous ECG and other hemodynamic parameters Must be knowledgeable in clinical chemistry to perform accurately and interpret correctly various blood gas determinations and air sampling tests. Must possess a technical-knowledge of electronics so as to perform minor repair, assess alarm systems, perform preventive maintenance or have the ability to recognize major problems and take corrective action Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0700-1530 with on-call rotation and 30 minutes response time. Nights/holidays/weekends/on-call only when on-call. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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