Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT): Electrocardiogram (EKG) works in the Cardiology Department to perform limited routine assignments. Duties at this level are performed without direct supervision. Technician can communicate relevant information to supervisor or provider as needed.

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 - 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)
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of the qualification standard (June 7 - 2012) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation Grade Determinations: GS-4 Experience or Education: 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 position to be filled
• Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant - practical nursing - or similar fields
• The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level
• OR Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology Ability to learn the components - operating characteristics - and settings of the equipment to be used Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted Ability to communicate orally and in writing GS-5 Experience or Education: 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 position to be filled
• This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level
• OR Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation - or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine GS-6 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests
• Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment
• Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action
• Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing
• Certification: No certification is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification
• 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize - report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias
• Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures
• 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
• Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians
• Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation
• 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: Preferred candidates for the electrocardiogram (EKG) position should have previous experience and be proficient in performing electrocardiograms - recognition of cardiac rhythms and abnormalities - operation of stress testing equipment - placement of ambulatory cardiac monitor devices - be proficient in communication - both written and oral - for patient and team interaction - and have BLS certification
• Desirable to have familiarity with electronic medical records (EHR) systems or have certifications in EKG or cardiac monitoring and the ability to work independently and collaboratively for Veteran focused care - is preferred
• 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-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo an annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Heavy Lifting (50 LBS and over)
• Heavy Carrying (50 LBS and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 3 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Performs the full range of electrocardiograph (EKG) procedures - stripe recording management - application of event monitoring devices - & related examinations
• Operates diagnostic medical equipment as part of treatment of patients - supports registered nurses - providers - & other cardiology clinical staff with support in the use of cardiac equipment
• Performs 12 Lead EKGs using proper lead placement to obtain accurate diagnostic tracings on exams
• Alerts providers to critical findings - when appropriate
• Corrects application of short-term patch technology that records two-weeks of cardiac rhythm data - the associated patch registration for reporting - management of the arrhythmia/event monitoring consults/ & scheduling coordination support
• Manages workload to provide EKGs to patients
• Monitor report posting upon monitor completion
• Uses proper infection control policies when performing duties
• Demonstrates compliance with all infection control practices - including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) - hand hygiene - & facility reusable medical equipment policies (RME)
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on equipment
• including disassemble - clean - reassemble - & calibration
• Knows the calibration of equipment to ensure safe accurate testing
• Communicates when supply or stock are low - with ability to troubleshoot
• Communicates with vendors as needed for necessary items/ supplies
• Maintains & keep up to date on Basic Life Support (BLS) & Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) requirements
• Develops & maintains skills & knowledge of cardiac rhythms - arrhythmia - & potential effects on patients
• Develops & maintains expertise in the use - understanding - & care of regularly used equipment - as well as new equipment
• Keeps informed of new developments in the field of Non-Invasive Cardiac Support Services Accepts a share of the responsibility for maintenance of safety - cleanliness - & orderliness of the EKG/Cardiology department
• Documents patient care & technical work
• Uses the VA computerized patient record system - EKG tracing/reporting system - cardiac monitoring system
• Accepts all patient/customer/provider feedback - positive or negative - & acts to resolve any complaints immediately - providing written summary of action to Supervisor or designee
• Demonstrates professional behavior & works with others in giving care to patients
• Completes orientation - attends in-services - & mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner
• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities to improve care delivered to Veterans
• Uses proper infection control when preforming duties
• Demonstrates compliance with all infection control practices - including use of (PPE) - hand hygiene - & following (RME) polices
• Maintains safe - orderly work areas
• Reports any accident to self or patient & completes proper documentation
• Follows Life Safety Management (fire protection) procedures
• Reports safety hazards - accidents - & injuries
• Reviews hazardous materials - SDS - waste management - & recycling process
• Follows emergency preparedness plan
• Follows security policies/procedures
• Complies with federal/state - & local environmental & other requirements preventing pollution - minimizing waste - & conserving cultural & natural resources
• Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (hand washing - universal precautions - & isolation procedures.) Work Schedule: M-F 7:30 am-4:00 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary & 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 offer 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) & 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 Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53196-A
• 53197-A
• 53198-O
• 53199-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized