Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT): Electrocardiogram (EKG) works in the Cardiology Department to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise testing - electrocardiograms - ambulatory monitoring of possible arrhythmias - and other non-invasive cardiopulmonary exam(s) items as necessary.

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 and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - 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)
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of the qualification standard (June 7 - 2012) 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-4 Experience or Education: 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
• 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• GS-5 Experience or Education: 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
• 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 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 - and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and 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 - and calibrate the machine
• GS-6 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• 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 next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition - 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
• 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: Candidates for the electrocardiogram (EKG) position should have previous experience and be proficient in performing electrocardiograms - recognition of cardiac rhythms and abnormalities - operation of stress testing equipment - placement of ambulatory cardiac monitor devices - be proficient in communication - both written and oral - for patient and team interaction - and have BLS certification
• Desirable to have familiarity with electronic medical records (EHR) systems or have certifications in EKG or cardiac monitoring and the ability to work independently and collaboratively for Veteran focused care - is preferred
• EKG - Stress Testing - and/or Ambulatory monitoring experience - if possible
• Experience or exposure to Cardiology inpatient/outpatient care setting if possible
• Leadership/administrative responsibilities if possible
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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 4 to GS 7
• Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo an annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Heavy Lifting (50 LBS and over)
• Heavy Carrying (50 LBS and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 3 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• EKG Testing: Performs 12 Lead EKGs using proper lead placement to obtain accurate diagnostic tracings on exams
• Processes EKG tracings obtained and transmitted from Inpatient and Outpatient areas - clinics
• Able to instruct others in the performance of 12-lead electrocardiograms
• Able to assist with editing and processing routine tracings
• Alerting providers to critical findings when appropriate
• Troubleshooting transmission - equipment and end-user issues throughout the Medical Center
• Manage workload to provide timely EKGs to patients
• Arrhythmia Monitoring: Correct application of short-term patch technology that records two-weeks of cardiac rhythm data - the associated patch registration for reporting - managing the arrhythmia/event monitoring consult
• Assigning physicians for reading/interpretation and attaching final reports to the monitor consult/electronic medical record
• Handle patient inquiries and issues as it pertains to short-term monitoring and connecting Veterans to appropriate resources as necessary
• Accurate documentation in the electronic medical record to include device information - patient education and workload per unit protocol
• Enter clinic data - review consults - process consults within 24 business hours of placement - schedule clinic appointments - and work with scheduling staff to complete appointments daily
• Completes event capture of exams to interpretation within 48 hrs
• of receipt
• Exercise Testing and Monitoring: Support in consult triage to review for duplication/ appropriateness by review of consult - patient medical record - and reason for request to send to provider triage
• The laboratory performs stress echo with treadmill testing - chemical stress tests with/without treadmill testing - Dobutamine stress tests and CPET studies
• Provides support to during exercise stress testing by providing patient education - documentation of collect vital signs and data collected - operation of treadmill and noted equipment - documentation of symptoms - and provide other assistance as needed
• Equipment Operation - Repair - Maintenance The incumbent is knowledgeable in the calibration of equipment to ensure safe accurate testing
• Uses proper infection control policies when performing duties
• Demonstrates compliance with all infection control practices - including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) - precautions (as needed) - hand hygiene - and facility reusable medical equipment policies (RME)
• Operates all equipment to collect data as ordered with the ability to adjust as needed per patient's presentation of physical or physiological variations and provided education and calibration to equipment
• Supply and Inventory Communicate with cardiac monitor vendor to ensure adequate supply and equipment are available - communicate or troubleshoot as necessary
• Responsible for tracking and stocking supplies in the EKG cart and room/area
• Self/ Staff Education Keeps informed of new developments in the field of Non-Invasive Cardiac Support Services
• Develops and maintains expertise in the use - understanding - and care of regularly used equipment - as well as new equipment
• Demonstrates the capability to support and precept the development of lower grade technicians
• Facilitate and conduct in-service training sessions on the use of EKG equipment - operation - and instruction
• Maintain and keep up to date on Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) requirements
• Professionalism Accepts - in a conscientious manner - a share of the responsibility for maintenance of safety - cleanliness - and orderliness of the EKG/Cardiology department
• Documents patient care and technical work
• Documentation is consistent - accurate - concise - and timely
• Uses the VA computerized patient record system - EKG tracing/reporting system - cardiac monitoring system
• Accepts all patient/customer/provider feedback - positive and negative - and acts to resolve any complaints immediately - providing written summary of action to Supervisor or designee
• Demonstrates professional behavior and works effectively with others in giving care to patients
• Completes orientation - attends in-services - and mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner
• Participates in continuous quality improvement activities to improve care delivered to Veterans
• Safety Uses proper infection control when preforming duties
• Maintains safe - orderly work areas
• Reports any accident to self or patient and completes proper documentation
• Follows Life Safety Management (fire protection) procedures
• Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (hand washing - universal precautions - and isolation procedures.) Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53196A
• 53197A
• 53198A
• 53199A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized