Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) works in the Cardiology Department of the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine (DHSM) performs complex - non-invasive cardiovascular diagnostic procedures - and all associated administrative workload - for the Cardiology Support Services Lab.

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
• Electrocardiograph Technicians (EKG) operate instruments used to record electrocardiograms - exercise tolerance tests - 24-48 heart monitoring and scanning - and pacemaker evaluations
• Certification is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)
• 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: Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) (1) GS-6 (a) 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities 1
• Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities - impaired mobility - and complicating medical conditions in order to prepare and position the patient for the prescribed procedure
• 2
• Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests
• 3
• Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment
• 4
• Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action
• 5
• Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing
• (c) Certification
• No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification
• (2) GS-7 (a) 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: (b) 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
• 5
• Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation
• (c) 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
• Preferred Experience: Current Certification as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Two years' experience with cardiac stress testing procedures 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS7
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination
• Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties
• Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy - regulation - or statute

Duties

• The incumbent is required to perform a full range of diagnostic procedures using complex and technical monitoring equipment - including cardiac stress testing - electrocardiograms - ambulatory cardiac monitoring and any related non-invasive cardiopulmonary exam as necessary
• The incumbent has specialized knowledge of anatomy - physiology - and biological systems and can collect data related to physiologic changes during any procedure
• The incumbent is proficient in operating all aspects of the variety of exam storage and retrieval software associated with procedures performed
• The incumbent performs independent electrocardiogram examinations throughout the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) as required
• The incumbent works independently on evening - night - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or on call if required
• The incumbent evaluates test results to determine when appropriate machine adjustments are needed and uses alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish diagnostic results
• This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination
• The incumbent edits and selects appropriate sample portions of rhythm tracings for further interpretation by the physician
• The patient populations treated are at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest and the technologist must be competent to assist with rescue during these events
• The duties include - but are not limited to: a
• Properly identifies patient using facility-wide established method and enters all pertinent patient information into equipment b
• Initiates - and terminates - non-invasive cardiac exams performed in the Cardiology Support Services Lab - under direction of provider c
• Possesses knowledge of non-invasive cardiac exams - including stress tests - electrocardiogram exams - and the full range of non-invasive ambulatory cardiac monitoring d
• Uses correct lead placement for all exams to accurately obtain diagnostic tracings on all exams a
• Assigns non-invasive exams to interpreting physician within 24 hours of receipt if the provider is reading off-line - or daily if the provider is reading on-line
• e
• Completes editing of exam interpretation within 48 hours of receipt f
• Provides patient education regarding cardiac monitoring process - application - and completion g
• Interacts with all outside vendor software to classify rhythms and document symptomatic episodes and alerts providers per established lab protocol h
• Interacts and communicates as a liaison between cardiac monitoring vendor - VAPORHCS - and patient to ensure diagnostic results are obtained - proper education and assistance provided - and to ensure proper in-house inventory of equipment
• i
• Provides support to provider performing exercise stress testing by patient education - documentation of any patient vitals collected - documentation of symptoms - and provide other assistance as needed Work Schedule: M-F 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized