Medical Instrument Technician (Ekg)

Summary
This is an open continuous announcement until March 19, 2023. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. An EKG Technician works under the supervision of a cardiologist or designee to perform cardiac diagnostic testing and collect medical data for use by medical providers.
This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Videos
Duties
Functions:
Gather and Analyze Patient Information

• Collect, analyze and integrate patient information to identify and meet patientspecific needs (physical/mental limitations, emotional/physiological status) regarding the testing procedure. Determine testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering provider, clinical director and protocols.? Explain pre-testing, testing, and post-testing procedures to the patient.
• Recognizes cardiac arrhythmias and obtains extended recordings when appropriate to facilitate cardiac rhythm interpretation.
• Recognizes cardiac emergencies, including acute myocardial infarction and dangerous arrhythmias, in real-time of EKG acquisition. Takes appropriate action, including prompt notification of physicians for implementation of emergency measures.
• Responds to emergency requests which involve making EKG tracings at the bedside, the operating room, Occupational Health Clinic, the Intensive Care Unit, etc.
• Communicates with other hospitals or providers to obtain previous tests, procedure reports, discharge summaries, and progress notes as needed for review and comparison. .
• Inform the provider of actions taken and directs the results to them.
• Enters test results and other pertinent patient information into CPRS promptly as directed by the cardiologist.
• Prepares periodic reports of the electrocardiography station's activities and manages routine supplies utilized in its operation
• Enters CPRS orders on behalf of requesting physicians for EKGs that are completed (either in an outlying primary care clinic or ER) to expedite processing.

Assist with CARDIOLOGY CLINIC

• Prepares exam room, then retrieves patients from the waiting room.
• Obtains patients' vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, weight and temperature. ? Enters data in CPRS. Assist with

AMBULATORY CARDIAC MONITORING

• The incumbent is responsible for ambulatory cardiac monitors. This requires knowledge of the equipment, lead placement to the correct anatomical areas after proper preparation, and instruction of the patient in their role in the procedure and operation.

Assist with STRESS TESTING

• Assist with exercise testing protocols. Both physical (treadmill) and chemical (dipyridamole, dobutamine, adenosine, etc.) forms of stress may be employed. All forms of stress are performed with electrocardiographic monitoring and may be followed by nuclear imaging (thallium, sestamibi, etc.)
• Assist in preparing and connecting the patient to the electrocardiographic apparatus, blood pressure monitor, and oscilloscope.
• Perform pertinent pretesting and modifications to standard exercise protocols at the cardiologist's instruction.
• Monitor and record heart rate, electrocardiogram tracing, and blood pressure. Note and record patient symptoms, including pain, dyspnea, lightheadedness, excessive fatigue, and nausea. Stress testing will be performed under the direct supervision of a physician.
• Notify the cardiologist of findings suggesting hemodynamic or cardiac instability.
• Compile data and provide it to the physician for interpretation.
• Complete documentation and route materials to appropriate destinations.

EKG Testing Preparation Procedures

• Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make necessary adjustments.
• Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards.

EKG Procedures

• Follow procedural protocols
• Perform EKG data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments, if necessary.
• Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment, assessment, and education of adult and geriatric patents.
• Generate accurate reports and clinical event data.
• Although not responsible for interpretation of the results, the incumbent must know how to recognize abnormalities and promptly bring them to the attention of the supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am -4:00pm
Telework: Not eligible for Telework
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
• 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
English Language Proficiency:Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken & written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part
Grade Determinations:
GS-4:
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, & other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields (ie. nursing assistant, practical nursing). The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic & 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
Education: Successful completion of 2 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, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's:

• Knowledge of basic medical terminology
• Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, & settings of the equipment to be used
• Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved & ability to recognize signs of distress
• Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted
• Ability to communicate orally & in writing

GS-5:
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-4 which demonstrates the KSA's & 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
Education: 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, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's:

• Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities & ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• Ability to learn the normal & abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize & 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, & calibrate the machine

GS-6:
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-5 which demonstrates the KSA's & other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, & complicating medical conditions in order to prepare & position the patient for the prescribed procedure
• Knowledge of the specialized equipment & accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring & ability to perform such tests
• Knowledge of universal precautions & sterilization techniques & ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment
• Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions & take appropriate action
• Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard & 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 GS-6 level which demonstrates the KSA's & other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the equipment, standard tests & procedures, & typical readings including arrhythmias & abnormalities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of typical patient reactions & signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report & treat potentially lethal arrhythmias
• Knowledge of common equipment settings & standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors & 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, & scar tissue
• Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians
• Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment & related instrumentation

Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) & ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications
References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27
Preferred Experience: Previous work experience in a full functioning cardiology clinic
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.
Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, & turning. Requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, & transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available & are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. Work may involve pushing or lifting weight more than 50 pounds & going up & down stairs. May be exposed to infected patients & contaminated materials & may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech, & manual dexterity. Requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position & the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients.
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 determinin...