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