Medical Instrument Technician; EKG

Summary

This position serves as a Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) at the full performance level (GS-8) and functions as an independent technician performing a wide variety of specialized and complex electrocardiographic procedures across inpatient and outpatient settings within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS).

• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education:
  
  There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Licensure or Certification:
  Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable
• Grandfathering Provision:
  All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard 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
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency:
  Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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-8 Medical Instrument Technician (EKG):
  
  Experience:
  
  At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) - which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• This would be experience which provided knowledge of advanced specialized procedures - the pharmacology related to this occupation - and knowledge of related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on organs and methods of treatment
• Examples of experience would include: operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias and indirect carotid pulse tracings; monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear - when to repeat certain procedures - when to stop test procedures - and when to get the immediate attention of a physician;
  
  evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results; edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician
• Demonstrated Knowledge
  - Skills - and Abilities:
  In addition to the experience - candidates must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
  Knowledge of pharmacology related to specialized procedures;
  Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians;
  Knowledge of a variety of related acute disorders and diseases - their effects on organs - and methods of treatment;
  Ability to perform more complex procedures such as SAECG (Signal Averaged ECG) - Tilt table monitoring - electrophysiology monitoring - and event monitoring
• 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:
  
  Certified EKG Technician Three or more years' experience performing in EKG field or cardiology;
  Currently employed as an EKG Technician or Cardiology Technician
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• Physical Requirements:
  
  The work is sedentary; some work may require movement between offices - hospitals - warehouses - and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work; work may also require walking/standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site;
  Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the major systems and internal organs to interpret requests and to recognize the need for additional tests or a different position
• Knowledge of pharmacology including the classification and administration of drugs - patient responses - and common dosages as related to this specialty is required
• Ability to perform Signal Averaged ECG
  - Tilt table monitoring - electrophysiology monitoring - and event monitoring
• Perform a wide variety of specialized and complex electrocardiographic procedures across inpatient and outpatient settings within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System(CTVHCS)
• Performs and analyzes routine and…