Medical Instrument Technician; Ekg

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG/Holter/Stress) is responsible for the technical operation of the Cardiology Unit - including all equipment and procedures undertaken. The work involves providing expertise and guidance to patients - relatives - and employees in the performance of assigned duties.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Licensure or Certification:
  Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation
• however - it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above for applicants to have Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• 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-07 Medical Instrument Technician:
  
  Experience:
  
  Candidates must possess 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
• Qualifying experience includes but is not limited to: be responsible for understanding event and Holter monitors for ongoing patient monitoring - understand each patient's specific medical history and make adjustments to the equipment parameters and settings to accomplish best monitoring function - have basic knowledge of pharmacology and the effects on cardiac rhythm that require customized adjustments to alarm parameters and monitoring functions - train new employees - patients - technicians - and RNs - throughout the medical center on continuous telemetry - holter monitors - and 12
  
  Lead EKGs - have basic knowledge of scanning of holter monitor data - proper storage - and cleaning of the equipment
• AND
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 7
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Handbook 5015

• The incumbent independently performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures and related examinations such as applying ambulatory monitoring devices - scanning Holter data cards - performing pacemaker EKG checks - and editing EKG - Holter - and treadmill reports
• Operates diagnostic medical equipment as a part of treatment of patients - supports registered nurses and physicians
• Includes exercise tolerance testing system and Holter monitoring/scanner
• Interprets request from physician for appropriateness of requested procedure for patient's ability to perform prescribed test
• Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures or that have special procedures identified and explained
• Performs 12 lead EKG's for both the inpatient and outpatient populations
• Responds to STAT's - codes - and clinics
• Performs EKG by obtaining three lead rhythm strip and the 12 lead EKG
• Prepares the EKG file for the cardiologist to read by pulling previous EKG for comparison and placing with current EKG
• Edits final official interpretation into the MUSE data storage system
• When performing 12 lead EKG - if recognizes an acute change or arrhythmia will alert the physician requesting the EKG and/or the cardiologist
• Follows established procedures for preparing and placing 24-hour EKG Holter monitor on patients
• Instructs patients as to the reasons for 24-hour monitoring
• how - what - and when to record in the diary - and how to use the Holter monitor to mark events while being worn
• Performs analysis of 24-hour Holter monitor EKG recordings for rhythm - arrhythmias - ST segment - and heart rate variability
• Follows established guidelines for non-nuclear treadmill stress tests
• Will take a brief history of patient - place electrodes - instruct…