The Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph/Telemetry) will function independently in operating and monitoring electrocardiographic equipment for continuous telemetry rhythm evaluation and interpretation. They will remotely monitor the continuous cardiac rhythms for up to 50 patients under the direction of the RN and medical providers. 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. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-4: 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 position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR, Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. In addition to the experience or education, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5: 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 position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR, Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. In addition to the experience or education, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. 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. Preferred Experience: One year of patient care and Telemetry experience. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work requires at various intervals, long periods of sitting to observe cardiac rhythms on EKG telemetry monitors. Incumbent experiences extended periods during which continual visualization of monitors, various equipment, and computer screens is required. Incumbent assists in positioning patients, placing EKG/Telemetry leads as needed. ["The duties of the position may include, but are not limited to, the following: Operates and performs trouble shooting of continuous electrocardiography and pulse oximetry equipment used in inpatient setting. Provides continuous cardiac surveillance, rhythm interpretation, and reporting of monitor tracings of patients admitted to inpatient units, from a central station, for the purpose of diagnostic exams and/or medical treatment using continuous electrocardiography per physician's order. Documents cardiac rhythm strips, measuring and interpreting rhythms at designated intervals and PRN per Telemetry policy. Ensures rhythm strips are labeled with patient's name, lead, PR, QRS and QT intervals and rhythm interpretation and signed upon completion to be reviewed by physicians and registered nurses to determine efficacy of treatments. Reviews previous shift's rhythm strips for shift history and audit purposes. Confirms active continuous electrocardiography orders for monitored patients in Electronic Healthcare Record. Verifies appropriate parameters from the doctor's orders and notifies the assigned RN of patient changes that are outside of the default alarms or set parameters. Admits/transfers/discharges patients in Central Monitoring Station, documenting patient movements, marking monitors with patient's location when temporarily taken off the monitor (ie medical procedures). Recognizes abnormal or lethal rhythms and notifies appropriate health care personnel, calling Code blue or Rapid Response when appropriate. Monitors continuous oxygen saturation and reports abnormal findings to clinical staff. Conducts ambulating oxygen saturation tests and provides information to appropriate health care personnel to determine home oxygen needs. Operates and maintains commonly used electrocardiographic equipment used for 12-lead electrocardiograms. Performs resting 12-lead EKGs on routine, stat or prn basis for purpose of diagnostic exams and/or medical treatment per physician's order. Position patients for resting 12-lead electrocardiogram based on test required, patient anatomy/ physiology, and use alternate positions for patient with disabilities. Manipulates the controls and programs information into the 12-lead EKG computer to provide tracing. Demonstrates ability to edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician. Alerts proper medical personnel of serious abnormal test results. Obtains patient's confidence and cooperation by providing education on the purpose and use of continuous cardiac monitoring, continuous pulse oximetry, or resting 12-lead EKG. Prepares patient's skin for proper electrode placement; and ensures proper reading. Perform collateral duties within Patient Care Services that could include, but not limited to, nurse aide duties, screening, and sitting 1:1. Work Schedule: Six 12 hour days & one 8 hour day per pay period; variable shifts from 7:45am-8:15pm; variable days\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PD50854A/Medical Instrument Technician-EKG Telemetry\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]