Medical Instrument Technician Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG)

Summary This Medical Instrument Technician Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) position is located within the Nursing - Acute Care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Houston - Texas. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States (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 Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions 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 For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments - specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations" Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) - GS-4 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 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 Education 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 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 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) - GS-5 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 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 Education 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 function 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 Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) -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 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 Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) - 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 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: 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: Details you would like considered to be included on announcement Telemetry monitoring experience in acute care setting within the last 2 years - Telemetry Interpretation certification (or equivalent) preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS7 Physical Requirements: 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 - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Duties If you are a current - permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency - you should apply under CBST-12954110-26-JA Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The work involves performance of varied procedures and treatment techniques in providing continuous cardiac monitoring for diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac diseases - cardiac devices such as pacemakers and automated implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD) and other medical problems The monitoring results affect the accuracy and reliability of physicians' diagnoses and treatment and thus the quality of patient care the monitoring results provide patient information - which may ensure timeliness of life-saving interventions The incumbent works at the Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center operating medical diagnostic equipment Duties include continuous monitoring during ambulatory exercise testing - pulse oximetry monitoring - monitoring patients with Holter monitors - MUSE computer storage system for scanning and integration in CPRS and VISTA imaging associated with each Will be expected to perform other duties as assigned The Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) will maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification The work may require the employee to workdays - evenings - nights - rotating shifts - and extended hours This position may be designated as essential during increment weather conditions or other appropriate emergency conditions Will be expected to perform duties independently and required minimal supervision and consultation for unusual circumstances Supervisor may periodically spot check any work at various intervals and completed work is accurate and timely Completed work is reviewed and in compliance with hospital policy and guidelines Specific - detailed guidelines covering all important aspects of the assignments are provided by the service Supervisor Within the established guidelines - uses independent judgment in the performance of duties and whether to repeat - modify or immediately notify staff of monitoring results Identifies and selects the appropriate guideline - reference or procedure makes minor deviation to adapt the guidelines in specific cases and resolve problems Work Schedule: 7:30 PM - 8:00 AM with rotation of work days - weekends and holidays subject to change based on the needs of the facility subject to change based on the needs of the facility Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 00513-F (GS4)

00514-F (GS5)

02138-F (GS6)