Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Duties

This individual will work in the Cardiac Non-Invasive Laboratory which provides service to a variety of departments through out the hospital such as the ECG lab, Cardiac Catherization lab, Recovery room, Critical Care units, Emergency room, Electrophysiology lab and Outpatients clinics.

The primary responsibilities of this technician are to perform routine 12 lead, rhythm strip, special procedure (i.e. Nuclear Stress test) and STAT electrocardiograms in a timely manner. The technician will operate proficiently the computerized ECG equipment i.e. entering pertinent patient demographics and related medical information into the ECG cart. The incumbent will transmit data from ECG carts to the computerized central ECG storage system (MUSE), edit unconfirmed ECGS and retrieve ECGS if necessary.

The incumbent will be trained to apply ambulatory Holter/Event monitoring, Holter scanning and assist with nuclear stress tests.

The incumbent will maintain a comprehensive knowledge and proficiency of the use of the hospital computer database system (VISTA, CPRS) such that the entry of test results performed in the Cardiac Non-Invasive Lab are available for retrieval for clinical purpose and research. The incumbent is responsible for closing consults on Holter & Event Monitor hook-up, and outpatient EKGS.

The incumbent will assume the responsibility when for their own self development, seeking training and education to maintain a high standard of performance. The tech will show initiative to learn , teach new technicians, nurses and other medical staff and work as a team player.

It is necessary for the employee to maintain CPR certification and a comprehensive knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The incumbent will be familiar with the "crash cart" and effectively perform during emergent situations.

Requirements

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 probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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). IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE and/or KSAs. Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area.[Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled.Part-time Experience. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service.Fellowships. N/AInternships. N/AGrade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.Education/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University.(1) Training. Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for-month basis through the GS-5 level.(2) Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. GS-06 Experience: At least one 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 KSA's:Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:1. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels.2. Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle.3. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure. 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. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures, and typical readings including arrhythmias and abnormalities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:1. Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias.2. Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures.3. Ability to modify procedures/positions to obtain the correct results with patients with complicating conditions such as amputations, Parkinson's disease, structural defects, and scar tissue.4. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians.Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications.References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and physical exertion. The technician will lift and bend frequently to position patients for testing. Reaching and stretching is required to set up equipment; pushing and pulling ambulatory equipment is necessary between patient care areas. The incumbent will also be required to walk long distances between testing areas. Dexterity is required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .