Medical Instrument Technicians (Electrocardiograph Technician) (EKG) 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 a Physician's attention is required.
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. Experience or Education - You must have one of the following: 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 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. Candidates must also demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities below: 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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: GS-7, Medical Instrument Technician (EKG). (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-6, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, G27 Physical Requirements: The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)must be able to help move equipment, transfer and position patients, and perform delicate manipulations as needed to obtain accurate and complete studies. Work is in a clinical cardiac non-invasive laboratory on general patient floors and in intensive care unit environments as required to obtain ECG studies on a all patients. Radioisotopes may be present for nuclear studies during exercise. Nuclear medicine personnel will assist in all studies involving radioisotopes. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will wear a radiation badge.
Stress Test: 1. Assist in performance of exercise treadmill and pharmacologic stress tests. 2. He/she will inform patients about the protocol for exercise or pharmacologic stress testing. 3. Carefully prepare the patient's skin and apply electrodes to eliminate interference. 4. Monitor blood pressure accurately and rapidly before, during, and after exercise or pharmacologic stress, and observe the ECG for changes in rate or rhythm that would require modifications in the test protocol or the discontinuation of the procedure. 5. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will operate computerized ECG acquisition equipment. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will monitor patients for exercise tolerance where appropriate and assist in determining when exercise must be terminated. 6. Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be prepared to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency and must be competent to initiate basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation if needed. Holter Monitor: 1. Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall prepare patients for holter monitoring. This includes patient teaching, skin preparation and application of electrodes and acquiring a standardized baseline. 2. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall be able to scan (read) holter tapes using an automated, computerized reading station and prepare standardized arrhythmia summaries for reading by the physician. 3. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care. Cardiac Event Monitor: 1. The technician shall instruct patients in the use and application of cardiac event monitors. 2. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will instruct patients on methods of telephone transmittal and receive telephone transmittal of arrhythmia recordings from patients. 3. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care. 4. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be capable of recognizing malignant arrhythmias and significant abnormalities such as ischemia and infarction patterns. EKG: 1. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall record routine and emergent 12 lead electrocardiograms on both outpatients and hospitalized patients. 2. The technician shall also make appropriate lead placements, e.g., Lewis leads to locate atrial activity, where these are appropriate, whether or not his referring physician has ordered them. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall be able to download recorded ECGs to a computerized ECG data management system (GE, MUSE). 3. The technician shall also assist in EKG monito ring during tilt testing and pharmacological interventions and be prepared to warn the physician immediately of any untoward drug effects. Other Duties: 1. The technician shall instruct residents, fellows, and medical students in how to perform non-invasive procedures and basic interpretation of tests. 2. The technician shall maintain all equipment in good working order and make minor repairs and adjustments as needed. Any malfunction will be reported immediately to the biomedical engineering or his/her designee. 3. Supporting the EKG Administrator for data, training and reports. Act as back-up EKG administrator as needed. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized and may be offered to selected applicants. Pay: Competitive salary and 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) and 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 #: 91286-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.