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. 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; desired certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. English Language Proficiency. All 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. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization) 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. Preferred Experience: Electrophysiology experience and CCI Registry References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 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. ["Major duties include but are not limited to: Cardiac Catheterization / Electrophysiology Technician at this level function as full members of the Cardiac Catheterization /Electrophysiology Laboratory Team. They scrub, circulate, operate equipment, etc., on the most complex examination and treatment procedures such as left and right hearth catheterizations, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, 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 cardiac catheterization/EP 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. 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 and peripheral, renal and Carotid procedures. The incumbent 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. Will be able to assist in the Electrophysiology Laboratory as needed. The accurate monitoring and recording of intra-vascular pressures and electrocardiograph tracings require knowledge of normal/abnormal waveforms and cardiac rhythms. This is needed for patient safety during procedures and keeping the physician abreast of patient's status to prevent life threatening situations. The incumbent 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. Aides in patient teaching, pre, intra, and post procedure. Filing of reports in patient chart and cardiology files. Is responsible for completion of patient record to include cath report and nurses note. Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (varied between hours of 7:00 am- 5:30 pm) Compressed/Flexible: Yes Telework: No Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:92833-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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