Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Summary The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT): Electrocardiogram (EKG)/Stress works in the Cardiology Department to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise testing - electrocardiograms - ambulatory monitoring of possible arrhythmias - vital signs machine - and other non-invasive cardiopulmonary exam(s) items as necessary. This position operates at full performance level. Qualifications 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 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. 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." For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician EKG – GS‑07 level. 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 experience provided knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures, and typical readings including arrhythmias and abnormalities. KSA Requirements: 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 or positions to obtain 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. Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a Medical Instrument Technician 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. Employees Who Do Not Meet All Basic Requirements: For employees in occupations that do not require licensure/certification/registration, reassignment, promotion, or demotion within the occupation is permitted. For those that do require licensure/certification/registration, reassignment or promotion to the full performance (journey) level is allowed, but promotion beyond the journey level or placement in supervisory or managerial positions is prohibited. Temporary appointments prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not be extended or reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until the applicant fully meets the basic requirements. Additional Points: Preferred experience: None. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is in the range of GS‑07 level. Physical Requirements: This position involves walking, frequent bending, reaching, and stretching to assemble, set up, and take apart equipment; the incumbent also carries, pulls, and pushes moderately heavy objects such as equipment and supplies. Above‑average dexterity is required. References: VA Handbook 5005/13 Part II Appendix G27 – March 17 – 2006. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Duties EKG Testing: Manage EKG tracings from the MUSE EKG system, correct frontline user errors, process and assign EKGs to providers, and support/manage the EKG machines located throughout the medical center and community based outpatient clinics. Perform 12‑Lead EKGs using proper lead placement to obtain accurate diagnostic tracings on exams. Process EKG tracings obtained and transmitted from inpatient and outpatient areas, correct demographic errors, edit multiples and blanks, and assign tracings to cardiologists (based on a schedule) at the day of service (admin days/hours). Instruct others in the performance of 12‑lead electrocardiograms. Be familiar with common technical problems requiring adjustment of EKG equipment to ensure satisfactory quality tracing and recognize machine malfunction and make appropriate adjustment and minor repairs. Assist with editing and processing routine tracings. Alert providers to critical findings when appropriate. Troubleshoot transmission, equipment, and end‑user issues throughout the Medical Center. Manage workload to provide timely EKGs to patients. Arrhythmia Monitoring: Correctly apply short‑term patch technology that records two weeks of cardiac rhythm data, manage the arrhythmia/event monitoring consult and associated patch registration for reporting, assign physicians for reading/interpretation and ensure the correct attachment of final reports to the consult. Handle patient inquiries and issues pertaining to short‑term monitoring. Accurately document in the electronic medical record, including device information, patient education, and workload per unit protocol. Enter clinic data, review consults, process consults within 24 business hours of placement, and work with scheduling staff to complete appointments daily. Exercise Testing and Monitoring: Support in consult triage to review for duplication/appropriateness by reviewing the consult, patient medical record, and reason for request. Complete pre‑testing phone calls to ensure patients are aware of instructions including medication management and diet. Perform the stress test with continuous EKG monitoring. Apply leads to the patient and operate the equipment. Provide support during exercise stress testing by providing patient education, documenting vital signs and data collected, operating treadmill, noting equipment, documenting symptoms, and provide other assistance as needed. Insert IV access as per facility policy and document access in the appropriate note in CPRS. Equipment Operation – Repair – Maintenance: Be knowledgeable in use of equipment to ensure safe accurate testing. Keep all equipment clean and safe; request preventive maintenance as needed. Perform routine maintenance, recognize and report malfunctioning equipment, and work with Biomedical Engineering Services for repair. Use proper infection control policies when performing duties and adhere to infection control practices, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, and facility reusable medical equipment policies (RME). Safety: Demonstrate infection control practices, maintain safe orderly work areas, report accidents or injuries, follow life safety management, fire protection procedures, report safety hazards, review hazardous materials, SDS, waste management and recycling processes, follow emergency preparedness plan, follow security policies and procedures, and comply with federal, state, and local environmental requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources. Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr