SummaryThe Medical Instrument Technician works in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Seattle VA Medical Center. The technician performs invasive cardiovascular procedures utilizing highly complex and technical monitoring equipment under the direction or prescription of a qualified physician.
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The technologist will scrub, circulate, and operate both electrical and physiologic monitoring equipment as well as single plane I bi-plane fluoroscopic equipment etc., for the most complex examination and treatment procedures including procedures such as endocardial biopsy, cryoablation and radio frequency ablation procedures, intra-aortic balloon pump, and ventricular assist devices, as well as transcatheter aortic valve replacements for very critical patients. They inject contrast manually or with the aid of a mechanical contrast device to visualize anatomical structures and administer intra-coronary medications via a manifold system during angiography procedures.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Triages exam requests to give priority to cases that are clinically more urgent and coordinates the completion of inpatient exams with scheduled outpatient exams.
- Assures all equipment is operational prior to patient procedures.
- Operates cardiac physiologic monitoring equipment. Set up and calibrate pressure transducers. Properly identifies, labels and samples intracardiac and vascular waveforms. Completely and accurately documents all aspects of the procedure including capturing and inputting data or procedural calculations in the hemodynamic monitoring system.
- Facilitates insertion and manipulation of guidewires and catheters into vasculature under fluoroscopic guidance for diagnostic and interventional purposes.
- Obtains invasive hemodynamic data, cardiac output, and blood samples.
- Injects contrast manually or with the aid of a mechanical contrast device to visualize anatomical structures (angiography, venography, etc.).
- Administers intra-coronary medications via manifold system during angiography procedures.
- Operates single plan/ bi-plane fluoroscopic equipment utilized in imaging. Manipulates imaging equipment to optimally define anatomy. Selects magnification acquisition technique specific for procedure and anatomy and performs post processing of acquired images including quantitative analysis, digital subtraction and image annotation.
- Sets up and operates ancillary procedure equipment including the power injector, IVUS/OCT, ICE, FFR/CFR/IFR, Atherectomy I Thrombectomy Devices, Intra-aortic Balloon Pump, Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices, PACS image archive system, Hemodynamic system, EP Recording system, 3D non-invasive Mapping System in Electrophysiology procedures, as well as both RF and Cryo Generator systems.
- Performs Activated Clotting Time (ACT), Whole Blood Oximetry, and Blood Glucose Monitoring quality control and patient testing using Point of Care equipment in the procedure labs.
- Provides in-services/ training to colleagues, new employees, students, and trainees.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:30am - 4pm or 7:30am - 6pm
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
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 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 #: 0000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
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.
- 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.
Titles and Certifications/Registrations: 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).
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:
Medical Instrument (Cardiac Catheterization)
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 (*):
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
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 provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
Preferred Experience: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
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Repeated bending; Pushing, 2 hours; Walking, 2 hours; Standing, 6 hours; Visual Acuity 20/30 (corrected permitted); Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted);
Environmental Factors: Working with hands in water and Working closely with others
The incumbent performs his/her work in a setting which regularly and recurrently involves exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, radiation risks and other risks that require special health and safety precautions such as gloves, protective clothing, and the use of radiation safety badges.
EducationNote: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional informationReceiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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