Summary

The North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System - MEDICAL SERVICE is recruiting to fill a Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization) vacancy. The Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization) will perform entry level to highly advance specialized skills in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Electrophysiology Lab, and the Hybrid OR Suites at the Gainesville VAMC. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for qualified applicants.

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. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/06/2025.

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.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf The complexity of duties may vary depending on Grade Level (GS-06, GS-07, GS-08) & experience
• Duties include: Skilled in basic through advanced performance in scrubbing, circulating and recording diagnostic catheterizations and percutaneous coronary intervention cases
• Skilled in basic through advanced performance in scrubbing, circulating and recording pacemaker and ICD implantation and other electrophysiology cases
• Skilled in basic through advanced performance in scrubbing, circulating and recording in hybrid suite cases, TAVR procedures
• Skilled in the operation of basic through advanced radiologic equipment as well as coordinating equipment usage and staff scheduling to ensure ongoing staff competencies on specialized equipment
• Duties and responsibilities of the Cardiac Catheterization MIT include but are not limited to full understanding of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and basic through advanced electrocardiography, sterile techniques, catheterization supplies and equipment Ability to circulate, monitor and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms
• Knowledge and understanding of medications and equipment used in the cardiac catheterization suite
• OCHCO Bulletin Subject: Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages, dated October 8, 2023
• This authority permits the Secretary to recruit and appoint qualified individuals to occupations reported as having the largest staffing shortages, notwithstanding 5 U.S.C. §§ 3304 and 3309 through 3318 (i.e., competitive service and Veterans' preference)
• While this authority supports VHA in addressing staffing shortages and the need to be flexible in hiring top talent to support urgent mission needs, the VA highly encourages the hiring of Veterans
• Work Schedule: Compressed schedule - 4 days a week - 7:00 am - 5:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized to qualified applicants up to $20,000 Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized