Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiac Catheterization)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with higher step rates based on qualifications

Paid time off (37–50 days per year)

Parental leave up to 12 weeks

Child-care subsidy for eligible employees

Retirement benefits (federal pension, 401(k))

Federal health, vision, dental insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Instrument Technician to work in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Seattle VA Medical Center. This position involves performing invasive cardiovascular procedures and operating complex monitoring equipment under a physician's direction. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, possess certification as a Cardiac Catheterization Technician, and have a robust understanding of medical equipment and procedures. On-site work is required with a Monday-Friday schedule.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
• Certification as a Cardiac Catheterization Technician required.
• Knowledge of complex examination and treatment procedures necessary.

Responsibilities

• Scrub, circulate, and operate cardiac monitoring equipment.
• Inject contrast for angiography procedures.
• Document all aspects of procedures in monitoring systems.

Skills

English language proficiency

Cardiac Catheterization Technician experience

Troubleshooting monitoring equipment

Communication skills with staff

Education

Certification as a Cardiac Catheterization Technician

Tools

Fluoroscopic equipment

Monitoring equipment

Job description

Summary The Medical Instrument Technician works in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the Seattle VA Medical Center. The technician performs invasive cardiovascular procedures utilizing highly complex monitoring equipment under the direction or prescription of a qualified physician.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date.

• United States Citizenship (Non-citizens only if no qualified citizens available).
• English language proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Certification and experience as a Cardiac Catheterization Technician, including diagnostic and interventional procedures such as cardiac catheterization, angiography, valvuloplasty, angioplasty, electrophysiology studies, cardiac pacing, pacemaker or leadwire insertion.
• Proficiency in using and troubleshooting monitoring, fluoroscopic, and hemodynamic equipment.
• Knowledge of the complex examination and treatment procedures to enable training, supervision, performance‑improvement projects, and policy development for the Catheterization Laboratory.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements (e.g., JCAHO and related standards).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with staff at all grade levels.
• Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training.
• Preferred: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS).
• Preferred: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.
• Preferred: Experience with the use of Point‑of‑Care equipment for quality control and patient testing.
• References: Qualification Standards available at https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy lifting – 45 pounds or more.
• Repeated bending, pushing, walking, and standing (up to 6 hours).
• Visual acuity of 20/30 (corrected permitted).
• Ability to distinguish basic colors.
• Hearing – hearing aid may be permitted.

Environmental Factors

• Working with hands in water and closely with others.
• Regular exposure to infectious and contagious diseases, radiation risks, and other hazards requiring special health and safety precautions such as gloves, protective clothing, and radiation safety badges.

Duties

• Scrub, circulate, and operate electrical and physiological monitoring equipment, as well as single‑plane and bi‑plane fluoroscopic equipment for complex examinations and treatments.
• Inject contrast manually or with a mechanical device to visualize anatomical structures and administer intra‑coronary medications during angiography procedures.
• Triage exam requests to prioritize cases that are clinically more urgent and coordinate the completion of inpatient and outpatient exams.
• Ensure all equipment is operational prior to patient procedures.
• Operate cardiac physiologic monitoring equipment and set up and calibrate pressure transducers.
• Identify, label, and sample intracardiac and vascular waveforms.
• Document all aspects of the procedure, including data capture and procedural calculations in the hemodynamic monitoring system.
• Facilitate the insertion and manipulation of guidewires and catheters into vasculature under fluoroscopic guidance for diagnostic and interventional purposes.
• Obtain invasive hemodynamic data (cardiac output, blood samples) and perform quality‑control testing using point‑of‑care equipment for activated clotting time, whole blood oximetry, and blood glucose monitoring.
• Operate and manipulate imaging equipment to optimally define anatomy and perform post‑processing of acquired images (digital subtraction, image annotation).
• Set up and operate ancillary procedure equipment such as power injectors, IVUS/OCT, ICE, FFR/CFR/IFR, atherectomy and thrombectomy devices, intra‑aortic balloon pumps, percutaneous ventricular assist devices, PACS, hemodynamic system, EP recording system, and 3‑D non‑invasive mapping system for electrophysiology procedures.
• Provide in‑services/training to colleagues, new employees, students, and trainees.
• Work schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm (compressed/flexible options available).

Benefits

• Competitive salary with opportunities for higher step rates based on qualifications or special needs.
• Paid time off: 37–50 days per year (average 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays).
• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks for birth, adoption, or foster care placement after 12 months of employment.
• Child‑care subsidy: eligible after 60 days of employment for full‑time employees with total family income below $144,000; subsidy up to 25% of eligible costs, maximum $416.66 per month.
• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care insurance (many programs can be carried into retirement).
• Telework: Not available; this is an on‑site position.
• Functional Statement #: 0000000; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.