Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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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.

Cardiovascular (Electrocardiograph Technician, Cardiac Catheterization

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Work Schedule: 7:30 am-6 pm 4 Days Weekly
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 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)
Telework: Not Available
Functional Statement #: 59431F

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.
• 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 used as acceptable forms 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).
• 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 the 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.

(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.

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.