Career Center

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To perform the functions of a Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) in the Cardiac Catheterization and/or Electrophysiology/Special Procedures (EP) Lab in a full performance capacity. The Organizational Location of the Position is: The MIT will work in the area(s) assigned by the supervisor and the area(s) assigned maybe modified to meet the needs of the organization. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English 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. Education/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University. Training. Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for month basis through the GS-5 level. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. 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 all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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: GS-4 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 position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR, Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5 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 position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-6 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: 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. GS-7 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: 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. GS-8 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: 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-27. Dated March 17, 2006 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-04 to GS-08. ["This is an open continuous announcement. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until September 30, 2022. This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is January 18, 2022. Additional applications will be referred as needed. Period of Eligibility: For open continuous announcements, the period of eligibility of your application will be 90 days. Applicant must have knowledge of Cardiac Electrophysiology including outpatient and inpatient cardiac device management, electrophysiology procedures in the cardiac EP studies, ablations, pacemaker. The applicant will scrub, circulate with a Registered Nurse, monitor, and operate equipment on complex examination and treatment procedures for critically ill patients in the laboratory. They will assist the physician and team members during a variety of highly complex, potentially life threatening invasive cardiovascular procedures on stable and unstable patients to include both diagnostic and interventional invasive cardiac procedures. The applicant must also be efficient in procedures related to Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiac Catheterizations, Trans-esophageal Echocardiography, and Cardioversion. The applicant must have knowledge of vascular and coronary anatomy and physiology related to cardiovascular function and electro-cardiology. Duties include: Assists with the preparation and testing of a variety of complex cardiac diagnostic procedures. Prepares and operates specialized cardiac monitoring equipment. Provide patient and family education within scope of practice. Monitors the patient's vital signs and records pressure measurements needed to complete the study. Identify and appropriately reports EKG/rhythm abnormalities. Knowledge and understanding of waveforms 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. 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). PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: 2 years recent MIT experience, surgical scrub experience Previous EP/Cath Lab experience/Operating Room/Knowledge of Invasive Procedures Skills in EKG and Vital Sign monitoring Knowledge of sterile technique; preparation and maintenance of a sterile field RCIS certification preferred/ ICVT, CVT, ARRT Must obtain within 6 months of hire. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs; Light lifting, under 15 lbs; Moderate carrying, 15-44 lbs; Light carrying, 15-44 lbs; Straight pulling, .5 hours; Pulling hand over hand, 8-12 hours; Pushing, 8-12 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking, 8-12 hours; Standing, 8-12 hours; Kneeling; Repeated bending, 8-12 hours; Climbing, legs only, 8-12; hours; Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13\" to 16\" to Jaegar 1 to 4.; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguished shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted) Work Schedule: Flexible tour are available Monday -Friday to cover department operations from 7am-8pm including on call rotation for emergency Cardiac procedures with a response time of 30 minutes from activation. May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require. Should operational needs dictate, candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community based outpatient clinics, for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization)/PD000000 and PD0000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]