Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Summary The incumbent serves as a Non-Invasive Cardiology Technician at Hines VA Hospital in the following area of specialty: Diagnostic Cardiology Procedures (EKG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, Event continuous monitoring, Routine Cardiology Stress Testing and Nuclear Medicine Pharmacological Stress Testing). Typical assignments involve operating monitoring medical equipment and devices used in cardiology specifically for the recording and monitoring of EKGs, high degree of judgement. MUSE data base. Responsibilities The incumbent serves as a Non-Invasive Cardiology Technician at Hines VA Hospital in the following area of speciality: Diagnostic Cardiology Procedures (EKG, 24 hour Holter monitoring, Event continuous monitoring, Routine Cardiology Stress Testing, Pharmacological Stress Testing). Typical assignments involve operating monitoring medical equipment and devices used in cardiology specifically for the recording and monitoring of EKGs, which require a high degree of judgement. Independently performs a variety of cardiac diagnostic procedures. Identifies data displayed and patient responses to the extent of determining appropriate machine adjustments in selecting the method and techniques that will yield the best results. Recognizes evidence of cardiac emergencies, including acute myocardial infarction and serious arrhythmias from tracings and take appropriate action including immediate notification to the physician and initiating cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Recognizes appropriate anatomical landmarks for accurate and secure electrode placement. The EKG technician performs 12-lead electrocardiograms. Recognizes electrical hazards and other outside factors, which affect the technical accuracy and quality of EKG tracings. Observes special precautions established for critical care areas, the emergency department and the operating room relating to their specialized equipment. Recognizes mechanical, electrical or other interference for correction. Explains routine and non-routine procedures to veteran patients and other authorized individuals to allay fear of the procedure. Emphasizes the importance of following exact directions during monitoring periods, particularly for 24 hour Holter and Event monitoring or other special procedures. Performs proper routine maintenance of equipment per established procedures to obtain satisfactory results. Cleans, calibrates and maintains technical components and related office equipment to product technically correct tracings of diagnostic quality and to prepare the finished report of the procedure. Observes the patients condition making notation of pertinent information including vital signs and other diagnostic information in accordance with the established practice and in response to physician demand or changes in the patients condition. Recognizes the interrelationship between test results, patient response and patients medical condition and effectively communicates information on technically observed abnormal deviations to the physician. Work Schedule: 7:30am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. 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. 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. Preferred Applicants will possess: – Graduate from an accredited EKG program – BLS certification – CCI certification At the GS7 grade level: possession of at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS6) which demonstrates your KSA characteristics related to this position. This experience consists of: – receiving and interpreting physicians requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments; -explaining the procedure to the patient to secure the patients confidence and cooperation; -documenting the patients record; independently performing standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions; – and operating, calibrating, and cleaning and/or sterilizing commonly used equipment. And be able to demonstrate the following: 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, Parkinsons 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standards. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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). Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Duties will require dexterity in the following areas as the work requires regular and recurring moderate physical exertion including but not limited to walking, frequent bending, reaching, stretching to set up and take apart medical equipment, lifting and positioning patients, carrying, pushing or pulling moderately heavy objects. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.