Summary

The technician works in the Vascular Lab - operating diagnostic medical equipment such as exercise stress test systems (treadmills) in the Nuclear Medicine Department under a Cardiologist's supervision - the MUSE Cardiology Storage System - ambulatory blood pressure studies - cardiac arrhythmia monitoring and scanning (Event & Holter monitors) - Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) vascular analyzers for arterial disease (resting and exercise) - and 12- lead ECG heart tracings.

Qualifications

*To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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 - this part
• Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• 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
• 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: GS-7 Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG): 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: 1
• Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize - report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias
• 2
• Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians
• 5
• Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation
• Assignment: This represents the full performance level
• Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing - ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias - and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients
• They monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear - when to repeat certain procedures - when to stop test procedures - and when to get the immediate attention of a physician
• They evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results
• This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination
• They edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Light lifting - under 15 pounds - light to heave carrying- under 15 pounds to 45 pounds and over - straight pulling - pushing - reaching over shoulders - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing - repeated bending - both legs required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to jagger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - specific visual requirement to see computer screen - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors and hearing (aid permitted)
• Environmental Factors: constant noise - working closely with others and working alone.

Duties

• NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES
• FOR MORE INFORMATION - REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties will include - but are not limited to: Independently performs the full range of electrocardiography procedures - including Holter monitor application and scanning - event monitor application and monitoring - ECG management - and operation of nuclear and non-nuclear treadmills
• Conduct ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and Ankle Brachial Index vascular studies
• The technician operates diagnostic medical equipment to support the treatment of Veterans and assists registered nurses and physicians as needed
• Equipment handled includes exercise stress test systems - Holter and Event Monitor scanning - Ankle Brachial Index - and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring devices
• Receive and review procedure requests or consults - interpreting physician orders for the appropriateness of procedures and assessing Veterans' ability to perform prescribed tests
• Assignments typically follow established precedents
• When encountering requests for uncommon - specialized - or new procedures - the technician applies standard protocols or seeks assistance from supervisors or cardiologists as necessary
• They educate Veterans during pre-procedure sessions to ensure patient understanding - confidence - and cooperation
• This includes independently explaining procedures - positioning requirements (table or treadmill) - monitor equipment - potential adverse reactions to stress agents - the importance of accurate monitoring - and diary entries
• The technician responds to inquiries from Veterans and their families
• The role includes Medical Instrument Technician duties with a stress test specialty - requiring experience operating specialized nuclear and non-nuclear treadmills
• The technician also specializes in Holter/Event Monitoring - applying and instructing on equipment use - compiling and revising data - preparing reports for physician review - and scheduling Veterans for monitor application and removal
• They provide instruction to nursing staff in patient care and clinic areas on EKG equipment operation and train physicians and cardiology staff in the use and storage of the MUSE System
• The technician possesses knowledge of common patient reactions and signs of distress - including the ability to recognize - report - and assist in treating potentially life-threatening arrhythmias
• They understand typical equipment settings - standardized procedures - common errors - and corrective measures
• Modifications to procedures or positioning are made to obtain accurate results when caring for Veterans with complicating conditions such as amputations - Parkinson's disease - structural defects - or scar tissue
• Serves as a mentor or preceptor to lower-grade technicians
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
• Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.