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). Qualifications United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation Licensure or certification is not required, but it is strongly desirable at GS‑6 or above as evidence of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) 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 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS‑7), directly related to the duties of the position, and fully meeting the KSAs at that level Examples of experience: operating and monitoring electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations (exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, indirect carotid pulse tracings); monitoring tracings to identify arrhythmias; evaluating test results; editing and selecting sample portions for physician interpretation; performing SAECG, tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring Knowledge of pharmacology related to specialized procedures and acute disorders and diseases; ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff; ability to perform complex procedures such as SAECG, tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring Preferred Experience: Certified EKG Technician with three or more years of experience in the EKG field or cardiology; current employment as an EKG Technician or Cardiology Technician Full performance level of this vacancy: GS‑08 Certification: No certification required, but BCLS and ACLS certifications are desirable Reference: For more information, visit Responsibilities Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and in-depth understanding of major systems and internal organs for interpreting requests and recognizing the need for additional tests or different positions Perform a wide variety of specialized and complex electrocardiographic procedures across inpatient and outpatient settings within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) Perform and analyze routine and specialized diagnostic cardiac procedures, including ECGs, exercise stress tests, Holter monitor hookups and scanning, signal average ECGs, echocardiograms, dobutamine stress echo, stress echocardiograms, arterial plethysmography, and tilt table testing Independently select, operate, and calibrate equipment to ensure accurate and reproducible test results Work with a diverse patient population – including critically ill, isolated, and routine patients – and recognize and respond promptly to arrhythmias, ischemic changes, and acute myocardial infarction patterns Initiate appropriate notification of physicians or emergency personnel when significant abnormalities or life‑threatening conditions are observed Calculate and interpret data such as arterial blood flow and hemodynamic responses during testing and document all findings accurately in the patient record Perform all procedures in accordance with established medical center and national standards to ensure accuracy, safety, and quality of care Maintain reports and documentation for all procedures performed across multiple CTVHCS sites Serve as a subject matter expert for electrocardiography‑related systems and workflows Provide training and instruction to nursing, respiratory therapy, and medical students, as well as new technicians and clinical staff, on correct techniques for obtaining ECGs and the maintenance and operation of ECG equipment Assist with competency assessments and provide feedback on best practices Perform highly specialized and technical procedures such as T‑Wave Alternans (TWA) and tilt table testing, requiring close coordination with physicians to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy Monitor and document blood pressure, heart rate, rhythm strips, and other vital parameters, promptly alerting the physician to any abnormal findings or adverse patient responses Maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and serve as a first responder in cardiac emergencies, initiating emergency procedures and assisting the code team when needed Compensation and Benefits Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm (telework: not available; virtual: this is not a virtual position) Pay: Competitive salary with regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement 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 eligible childcare costs (maximum $416.66 per month) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5 % employer contributions; VA insurance packages (health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care, etc.) can be carried into retirement #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs