Medical Instrument Technician; Electrocardiograph Technician

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) works in the Cardiology Department of the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine (DHSM) performs complex - non-invasive cardiovascular diagnostic procedures - and all associated administrative workload - for the Cardiology Support Services Lab.

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 Citizen:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Electrocardiograph Technicians (EKG) operate instruments used to record electrocardiograms - exercise tolerance tests - 24-48 heart monitoring and scanning - and pacemaker evaluations
• Certification is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)
• 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:
  Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) (1) GS-6 (a) 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge
  - Skills and Abilities
  
  1
• 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
• (c) Certification – No certification is required. However, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification
• GS-7 (a) 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
• 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
• 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
• (c) 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:
  
  Current Certification as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Two years' experience with cardiac stress testing procedures
• 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 in the range of GS-6 to GS7
• Physica…