Summary

Medical Instrument Technicians (EKG) does the evaluation of pacemaker performance of monitoring technology of approximately 71 -000 Veterans with implanted pacemakers who are located in the western-half of the United States. Independently performs pacemaker strip evaluation with specialized computer software applications. Evaluation and assessment of pacemaker device data from Veterans with home remote monitors. National Cardiac Device Surveillance Program.

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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: 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: 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.5
• Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation
• Assignment : This represents the full performance level
• Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing - ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias - and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients
• They monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear - when to repeat certain procedures - when to stop test procedures - and when to get the immediate attention of a physician
• They evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results
• This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination
• They edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician
• Preferred Experience : Incumbent must have prior training in ECG interpretation
• In-depth knowledge of pacemaker operation - manufacturers - pacemaker and lead models 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
• 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 7
• Physical Requirements : This position requires to undergo a pre-employment medical examination/physical - TB test - and other medical related requirements.

Duties

• Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position
• Independently performs pacemaker remote monitoring of Veterans with implanted pacemakers located in the western-half of the United States
• Correctly diagnoses normal sinus rhythm and arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation/flutter - atrial tachycardia - supraventricular/ventricular tachycardia
• Evaluates device and rhythm management information such as atrial and ventricular long term histograms - AF/AT burden - and automatic changes in pacing and sensing polarity
• Differentiates different pacing modes
• Independently recognizes pacemaker malfunctions such as failure to capture - change in capture thresholds - failure to sense - no pacing output - abnormal impedance measurements - and impending battery depletion
• Creates reports for transmission encounters in both text-rich and pdf format and upload reports to the NCDSP Application when applicable for viewing by all referring clinicians
• Notifies VA clinics of abnormal test results
• Technician must work efficiently and are required to maintain an accuracy rate of greater than 85% on quarterly audits and average no less than 15 points per hours based on the Program Productivity Mode Work Schedule: 8am to 4:30pm
• Varied shifts/hours
• Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized