Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Description:

Technician performs Cardiology duties at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center assisting the staff physicians by carrying out a variety of clinical and supportive tasks in the Cardiology section of the Medical Service.

Requirements:

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.
• 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".
• 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.

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).

GS7 Grade Determinations

• EXPERIENCE: 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. Examples of experience include: receive and interpret physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments; explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; document the patient's record; independently perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions; and operate, calibrate, and clean and/or sterilize commonly used equipment. Candidate must demonstrate knowledge of standard medical terminology as well as common diseases and their specific affects.

AND

• DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
  • 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.

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

• EKG tech certification is preferred, but not required.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS07.

Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and physical exertion. The Medical instrument technicians (EKG) will lift and bend frequently to position patients for testing. Reaching and stretching is required to set up equipment; pushing and pulling ambulatory equipment is necessary between patient care areas. The incumbent will also be required to walk long distances between testing areas. Dexterity and agility is required to perform intricate diagnostic procedures in clinical areas of the medical center.