Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Cath)

Summary

The Marion VA Health Care System is actively recruiting a full-time Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Cath) to join the Cardiology Department within Nursing Service located in Marion, IL. This position provides technical assistance to the Cardiologist during all procedures occurring in the Catheterization Lab.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent will primarily be assigned to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Cardiology Clinic.
• The incumbent demonstrates knowledge and competency in hemodynamic monitoring and early recognition of cardiac lethal dysrhythmias.
• These duties include, but are not limited to, left heart catheterization, right heart catheterization, and temporary pacemakers.
• The incumbent monitors the progression of procedures; assist the manager in improving technical training of new employees and students as well as directing patient inquiries to appropriate person.
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital.
• The incumbent may be required to rotate tours and duties during low/high census or complete administrative tasks established by the immediate supervisor.
• Not all duties listed, so others may be assigned: The incumbent is responsible to ensure the highest possible quality of care is achieved and that a safe therapeutic environment is provided.
• The incumbent communicates with patients, family members, internal and external co-workers, and customers in a courteous, tactful, helpful, and understanding manner.
• The incumbent is administratively responsible to the Nurse Manager of Medicine Specialty and responsible for other team members.
• The incumbent is required to be BLS and ACLS certified and position is not eligible for telework.
• PLEASE NOTE: These positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.
• If selected, Applicants will provide proof of current certifications prior to employment.
• Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and ACLS certification obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted.
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding Federal holidays.
• 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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.

Education

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: Ability to assist with insertion of temporary transvenous pacemaker catheters. Ability to maintain intra-aortic balloon pump equipment during procedure.

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. Assignment: The cardiac catheterization technician at this level aids physicians in aspects of cardiac catheterization and related invasive procedures such as coronary angioplasty, pulmonary angioplasty, and intra-aortic balloon insertion. They select, set up, and calibrate surgical instruments, catheters, radiographic contrast injectors, and radiographic imaging devices.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: 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.

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 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 graded 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. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of recent Cardiac Catheterization Lab experience from a hospital setting within the last 5 years and BLS/ACLS certification and Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Invasive Specialist (RCIS) is highly desirable. 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-8.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Must be able to communicate effectively with Veterans and staff via phone and in person (with or without adaptive equipment), unusual fatigue factors (emotional stress), protracted or irregular hour of work, work closely with others, light lifting (under 15 pounds), prolonged close computer work, prolonged work in a surgical mask, reading and writing (prolonged periods with or without adaptive equipment, bright artificial lighting, constant noise (shared workplace), ability to rapidly switch between tasks.??????? Note: 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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate’s abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

• To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Resume (required) – Resume must include the following information for each job listed: job title, duties, start and end dates, full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Be sure that your resume clearly addresses your work experience in detail.
• We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
• Please ensure your resume is formatted MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY for all positions held so that we may give you credit for your experience.
• SF-50: If you are a current, permanent Federal employee (required) -Most recent (within 12 months of the closing date of this announcement), SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action NON-AWARD showing your eligibility as a VA Employee, series, grade and step is required.
• Do not submit an award SF-50.
• Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License CV/Resume PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript