Clarification from the agency

This is a shortage FY25 occupations and Veterans Preference is WAIVED (does NOT apply).

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Major duties but not are limited to:

Procedural Technician: the MIT-CATH must be able to scrub and serve as first assistant to the
attending cardiologist (except when a cardiology fellow is available) for all procedures listed below.
He/she should master sterile technique, table and supply preparation, manifold and transducer
setup, catheter, wires and general tool care and management, contrast handling, syringe labelling,
and fluoroscopy and image acquisition operation for the following procedures:

• Diagnostic cardiac catheterization
• PCI (includes balloon angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy and thrombectomy)
• Intravascular ultrasound
• Intra-coronary physiologic assessment
• Intracoronary lithotripsy (Shockwave)
• Drug-coated balloon angioplasty.
• Electrophysiology Studies
• Arrhythmia device implants (PPM, CRT, AICD)
• Temporary endovenous and transcutaneous pacing
• Leadless pacemaker insertion
• Intra-aortic balloon
• Impella axial pump
• Pericardiocentesis
• Transseptal puncture
• Left atrial closure device
• Valvuloplasty
• Vascular closure devices
• Hemostasis (manual, femoral clamp, or radial band) following sheath withdrawal

Procedural Circulating Assistant: when not scrubbed in a case, the MIT-CATH will function as a circulating procedural assistant with the following specific duties:
a. Deliver procedural supplies on-demand to the operator.
b. Primarily responsible for performing - sterile field just before opening the package to ensure it is correct. The read-back should
be spoken out loud for the primary operator to hear and confirm back, and include at a minimum of the following information:

1. Item type and size/shape specifications (e.g. 5F JL4 diagnostic)
2. Item expiration date (full date if year is current one, only year if future year).
3. For all implants, the MIT-CATH must obtain an independent verification from an additional staff member of the procedural team (MIT-CATH, RN, or physician).

c. Setup equipment needed for additional procedures such as rotational atherectomy, pressure wire, or intravascular imaging.
d. Assist with positioning of the patient or procedure monitors.

Work Schedule: 8:00-4:30pm Monday to Friday. (Position requires on-call assignments for emergencies, during which the candidate must be available outside of regular work schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays).
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 60077F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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.

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.
• 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".
• 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.

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).

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:

• 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.

Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of recent Cardiac Catheterization Lab experience from a hospital setting within the last 5 years and BLS/ACLS certification.

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 GS-8.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.