Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

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.

01Basic 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.

02Education

Education can only be substituted for experience only at the GS-5 level. 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).

03Grade Determinations

GS-7 - Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include: Independently monitoring multiple patients on telemetry systems and prioritizing alarms based on clinical urgency.

Advanced knowledge of cardiac rhythms, including the ability to recognize complex and potentially lethal arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, heart blocks) and initiate immediate notification protocols. Ability to analyze rhythm strips for accuracy and ensure proper lead placement and signal quality. Skill in troubleshooting telemetry equipment, minimizing artifact, and ensuring continuous monitoring integrity.

Ability to educate and support clinical staff on telemetry monitoring practices, equipment use, and rhythm interpretation. Ability to serve as a preceptor or mentor to lower-graded technicians and assist with on-the-job training. Ability to participate in or conduct in-service training related to telemetry systems, cardiac monitoring, and patient safety.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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/positions to obtain the 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.

04Preferred Experience

Skill in interpreting and monitoring cardiac rhythms, heart rate, arrhythmias, and promptly communicating changes to clinical staff. Ability to accurately document rhythm strips, calculate PR/QT/QRS/ST values, and maintain complete telemetry reports and logs. Proficiency with telemetry and EKG equipment, including applying leads, troubleshooting malfunctions, cleaning devices, and coordinating with BioMed as needed.

Competence in 12 lead EKGs, exercise tolerance tests, Holter monitoring, pacemaker evaluations, and seizure/EMU monitoring when required. Strong verbal handoff and teamwork skills, including mentoring new staff, participating in interdisciplinary care, and initiating rapid response processes per SOP. Solid direct patient care skills (e.g., transport with monitoring, basic ADL support) and customer service with diverse veteran populations.

Preferred ability to maintain BLS/ACLS and ongoing competency in ECG/arrhythmia interpretation. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 7.

05Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and reaching over head. The incumbent must be able to stand and move for extended periods of time

The incumbent independently performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures and utilizes the MUSE storage system. Demonstrates experience which provided knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures.

Receives request and/or consults for procedures, interprets request from physician for appropriateness of requested procedure for patient's ability perform prescribed test Interprets and documents a new cardiac rhythm strip posts any procedure or testing after patient was off telemetry during procedure Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures or that have special procedures identified and explained Reports all changes in heart rate/rhythm to appropriate nursing staff, via verbal or phone communications Experienced in applying, operating and instructing in Stress test equipment; collection of data, revising reports and completing reports for physician review Responsible for recording when telemetry is removed and when it is reapplied Performs duties with full understanding of related age specific factors Reports and receives shift report, both verbally and on written report sheet Ensures work area and equipment is clean Interprets and monitors cardiac rhythms, heart rate and arrhythmias and communicate them to the appropriate staff Obtains 12-lead EKG Interprets and documents a new cardiac rhythm strip posts posts any procedure or testing after patient was off telemetry during procedure Recognize irregular heart functions such as arrhythmia Conducts a verbal handoff communication at the change of shift or change in personnel monitoring for the remote telemetry activity Other duties as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 0730 -2000, Monday - Friday, possible weekends Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedPay: 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 available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized