Medical Instrument Technician - Electrocardiograph 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. Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. 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. English Language Proficiency.

Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English 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).

02Grade Determinations

GS-6 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1.

Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicating medical conditions in order to prepare and position the patient for the prescribed procedure. 2. Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests. 3. Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment. 4.

Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action. 5. Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing. Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. GS-7 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and 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.

03Preferred Experience

Preferred completion of EKG training course, knowledge of EKG MUSE information system, Telemetry experience or Medical Assistant/Certified Nursing Assistant experience. 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.

04Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties include but are not limited to: Perform standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKGs) on patients as requested by healthcare providers. Ensure proper patient position and placement of electrodes to obtain accurate readings. Interpret basic EKG results and escalate findings that require further analysis by a physician or cardiologist. Prepares patients for EKG procedure by explaining the process and answering any questions.

Maintain a compassionate and professional demeanor to ensure patient comfort and cooperation. Operate EKG machines and related equipment proficiently. Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on EKG and other cardiac monitoring equipment to ensure functionality. Ensure accurate and timely input of EKG data into the patient's electronic medical record (EMR) from MUSE. Review and verify the quality and accuracy of EKG recordings before submission into MUSE and to the healthcare provider.

Completes Encounters for EKGs in CPRS. Place ambulatory cardiac monitors/event monitors, and Mobile Cardiac Provide patients with instructions for the use of these monitors and ensure proper placement and functioning. Document procedures and accurately enter the patient's data into the appropriate monitoring registry. Ensure timely retrieval and processing of data from these monitors for clinicians to view.

Assist in conducting treadmill and exercise stress tests under the supervision of a physician or qualified healthcare provider. Monitor patients during stress tests and record data accurately, ensuring patient safety throughout the procedure. Adhere to all hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements related to patient care and data management. Participate in continuous quality improvement activities to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

Maintain patient confidentiality and adhere to HIPPA regulations at all times. Participate in ongoing training and professional development to stay updated on the latest practices and technologies in electrical cardiography and cardiac monitoring. Attend departmental meetings and training sessions as required. Work closely with cardiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide integrated care for patients.

Communicate effectively with team members to ensure coordinated and efficient care delivery. Train or mentor students/technicians as they rotate through the program. Perform In-service training on EKG/related instrumentation. Complete a formal EKG Technician training program or equivalent Telemetry experience. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Strong understanding of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and basic electrophysiology.

Excellent attention to detail and the ability to recognize abnormalities in EKGs and other cardiac monitoring readings. Proficient in the operation of EKG equipment, cardiac monitoring, and the use of electronic medical records. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Accurately obtain and record vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen level, and temperature as part of the patient assessment.

Recognize and report abnormal vital signs to the appropriate healthcare personnel promptly. This position requires standing for extended periods and may require transferring patient and objects. The EKG Technologist may be exposed to infectious diseases and must adhere to strict safety and infectious control processes and guidelines. Cleans RME (Reusable Medical Equipment), exam rooms, and clinic settings per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Provides training for new employees on EKGs and applying heart monitors. Trains and validates competency of medical center staff on EKG and Telemetry procedures. Ensure all diagnostic reports are scanned and indexed into the patient's electronic health record promptly and in accordance with VA guidelines to support safe, accurate and effective patient care.

Ensure all consults are received and processed in Vista Imaging promptly and collaborate effectively with scheduling personnel to facilitate timely patient appointments in accordance with clinic requirements and VA scheduling guidelines.

Collects and verifies diagnostic data from external monitoring sources, uploads and indexes clinical files within the VistA Imaging systems and ensures data integrity so that physicians and providers can access accurate and complete patient information to support safe, timely, and evidence-based diagnostic decision-making. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 01119F, 01116F Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized