Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization)

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

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.

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 as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". 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.


GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization), GS-06

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. The knowledge, skills, and abilities at the GS-05 grade level are:

• Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.
• Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.
• Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below:

• Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.
• 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.
• Knowledge of and ability to prepare intra-aortic balloon catheters.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.


Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization), GS-07

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. The GS-06 KSA's were listed in the previous question.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to assist with insertion of temporary transvenous pacemaker catheters.
• Ability to maintain intra-aortic balloon pump equipment during procedures.
• Ability to complete individual cases by pulling sheaths and holding pressure to obtain hemostasis.
• Ability to assist with closure devices.
• 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.


Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization), GS-08

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. The GS-07 KSA's were listed in the previous question.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

Preferred Experience:

• One year of previous Cardiac Lab experience
• Certification in applicable area

References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument technician Qualification Standard, GS-649

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: The physical demands of the work requires, occasional heavy lifting, (45 pounds and over), occasional heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), moderate straight pulling, frequent patient positioning on exam table, moderate walking, occasional climbing, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid (permitted), emotional stability, ability to hear whispered voice, the use of fingers, reaching above shoulder, prolonged standing (6-8 hrs.), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.