Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta, GA, United States
Summary
Medical Instrument Technician provides a broad range of services for the Ambulatory Surgery Program involving direct patient care and clinical administrative support. The primary function is the provision of clinical and diagnostic patient examination and testing. The secondary role is the provision of administrative support to ensure efficient – effective – and coordinated management and delivery of patient care.
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.
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
(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 Ability to scrub - circulate - and monitor advanced procedures (including electrophysiological) to include rotoblation - intravascular ultrasound RADI or wave-wire - Angio jet - filter wires - myocardial biopsies
EPS - permanent pacemaker insertions - AICD insertions - and biventricular pacemaker insertions
Set up - calibrate - operate - and troubleshoot equipment
Recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal - artifact from abnormality - and forewarn the physician of an impending life-threatening situation
Prepare and analyze quality control of test results
Mentor and train lower-grade 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
Assist lab clinical staff with patient care - as needed - before and after invasive procedures - including patient preparation - pre-procedure is assisted with as needed - and assigned - procedure/supply set up is consistently and appropriately performed - procedure equipment is prepared and calibrated as needed and post procedure care is assisted with including but no limited to monitoring of patient vital signs - sheath removal and patient transportation
Participates in supporting lab operations to include receiving and stocking supplies appropriately - supplies are assessed - reordered - and par levels are consistently maintained - and holding /receiving recovery areas are consistently organized - safe - and well stocked
Develops ongoing technical proficiency in a clinic support role to include assistance to the physician - which is provided throughout the procedure within the scope of the technician's defined skills/competency - including scrubbing into the procedure and operating imaging equipment with appropriate direct oversight - sterile technique is maintained - and procedure supply needs/product requirements are met as needed
Other duties as assigned to include participation in the training of students - residents - and fellows are provided as appropriate - including acting as a preceptor/mentor for new and developing lab staff - accuracy and quality are maintained for activities - specific support functions are handled in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
Knowledge of cardiac anatomy - physiology - and basic electrocardiography
Knowledge of sterile techniques - catheterization laboratory supplies - and equipment used in the procedures
Ability to circulate - assist - monitor - and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure
Advanced Knowledge of equipment - medications - and supplies used in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the ability to set up - calibrate - operate - and troubleshoot their equipment
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
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 - 19 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-grade 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
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
Preferred Experience: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-0649-07
Physical Requirements: The position requires standing - walking - bending - stooping - lifting - and transferring during the administration of patient care
In addition - the incumbent must be emotionally stable and adjust to different types of personalities - demonstrating compassion - courtesy - and concern.
Duties
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)
Incumbent provides technical clinical support for the Surgical subspecialty
Internal Medicine/Cardiology and Anesthesiology attending physicians and house staff/residents - physician assistants - nursing staff - and other clinical and administrative personnel
Work is performed in the Ambulatory Surgery Preadmission (PAT) - Risks Evaluation and Admission/Discharge Unit (ADU) outpatient clinics
Duties include patient screening and triage - EKG testing - and laboratory phlebotomy - assessing and recording patient information to include chief complaint(s) and medication history - etc
Ensure patient screening is performed and documented correctly
Assures this information is available when needed and conveyed concisely
May assist clinicians in the performance of minor procedures
Incumbent is responsible for the overall cleanliness and appearance of the clinic's patient care areas
Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of equipment
Ensure equipment and instruments are maintained with adequate inventories as indicated
Pay: 7:30 am-6 pm 4 Days Weekly Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off 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)
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Medical Instrument Technician provides a broad range of services for the Ambulatory Surgery Program involving direct patient care and clinical administrative support. The primary function is the provision of clinical and diagnostic patient examination and testing. The secondary role is the provision of administrative support to ensure efficient – effective – and coordinated management and delivery of patient care.
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.
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
(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 Ability to scrub - circulate - and monitor advanced procedures (including electrophysiological) to include rotoblation - intravascular ultrasound RADI or wave-wire - Angio jet - filter wires - myocardial biopsies
EPS - permanent pacemaker insertions - AICD insertions - and biventricular pacemaker insertions
Set up - calibrate - operate - and troubleshoot equipment
Recognize and distinguish normal from abnormal - artifact from abnormality - and forewarn the physician of an impending life-threatening situation
Prepare and analyze quality control of test results
Mentor and train lower-grade 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
Assist lab clinical staff with patient care - as needed - before and after invasive procedures - including patient preparation - pre-procedure is assisted with as needed - and assigned - procedure/supply set up is consistently and appropriately performed - procedure equipment is prepared and calibrated as needed and post procedure care is assisted with including but no limited to monitoring of patient vital signs - sheath removal and patient transportation
Participates in supporting lab operations to include receiving and stocking supplies appropriately - supplies are assessed - reordered - and par levels are consistently maintained - and holding /receiving recovery areas are consistently organized - safe - and well stocked
Develops ongoing technical proficiency in a clinic support role to include assistance to the physician - which is provided throughout the procedure within the scope of the technician's defined skills/competency - including scrubbing into the procedure and operating imaging equipment with appropriate direct oversight - sterile technique is maintained - and procedure supply needs/product requirements are met as needed
Other duties as assigned to include participation in the training of students - residents - and fellows are provided as appropriate - including acting as a preceptor/mentor for new and developing lab staff - accuracy and quality are maintained for activities - specific support functions are handled in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
Knowledge of cardiac anatomy - physiology - and basic electrocardiography
Knowledge of sterile techniques - catheterization laboratory supplies - and equipment used in the procedures
Ability to circulate - assist - monitor - and document hemodynamics and electrocardiograms during the procedure
Advanced Knowledge of equipment - medications - and supplies used in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and the ability to set up - calibrate - operate - and troubleshoot their equipment
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
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 - 19 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-grade 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
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
Preferred Experience: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-0649-07
Physical Requirements: The position requires standing - walking - bending - stooping - lifting - and transferring during the administration of patient care
In addition - the incumbent must be emotionally stable and adjust to different types of personalities - demonstrating compassion - courtesy - and concern.
Duties
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)
Incumbent provides technical clinical support for the Surgical subspecialty
Internal Medicine/Cardiology and Anesthesiology attending physicians and house staff/residents - physician assistants - nursing staff - and other clinical and administrative personnel
Work is performed in the Ambulatory Surgery Preadmission (PAT) - Risks Evaluation and Admission/Discharge Unit (ADU) outpatient clinics
Duties include patient screening and triage - EKG testing - and laboratory phlebotomy - assessing and recording patient information to include chief complaint(s) and medication history - etc
Ensure patient screening is performed and documented correctly
Assures this information is available when needed and conveyed concisely
May assist clinicians in the performance of minor procedures
Incumbent is responsible for the overall cleanliness and appearance of the clinic's patient care areas
Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of equipment
Ensure equipment and instruments are maintained with adequate inventories as indicated
Pay: 7:30 am-6 pm 4 Days Weekly Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off 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)
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