Summary

The electrocardiograph technician is a member of the Acute Care unit team. S/He adheres to medical center polices and guidelines of practice. Monitor technician is a clinical/technical specialist who provides cardiac monitoring and directed patient care under the supervision of the RN. This position requires skill and proficiency in monitoring - interpreting - assessment - and evaluation of the patient receiving care in the inpatient setting. This position requires flexibility in scheduling.

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
• 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"
• For all specialties identified in this standard - Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• 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)
• 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 7 associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation
• In addition - 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-5Experience
• 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 - 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 8 procedures
• 5
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine
• GS-6Experience
• 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-7Experience
• 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
• (c) 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: Previous experience identifying cardiac rhythm's Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties
• Functions: - The incumbent will be assigned to the acute care setting working a rotating tour of duty
• - In this capacity they will observe the patients on the monitor
• They will analyze the ECG strips document finding and report any unusual findings immediately to the RN
• These measurements will be conducted according to policy and as requested
• - Knowledge of common equipment setting 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 amputation - Parkinson's Disease - structural defects - and scar tissue
• - Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians or same grade technicians
• - Monitors tracings to identify arrythmias when gross abnormalities appear - when to repeat certain procedures - when to stop test procedures - and when to get immediate attention of physician
• - Evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results
• - Adapts equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination
• - Edit and select and appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician
• - When not assigned to the technical duty of the monitors - the MIT will perform the following functions under the direction of the RN
• Obtain vital signs as assigned - perform 12 lead EKG's - remove and apply remote telemetry - help maintain a safe environment of care - and other duties as assigned
• Maintains flexibility related to work
• - Equipment Maintenance/Repair: Tracks and maintains records of repair histories
• - Inputs patient data into the telemetry monitoring system and assure patients are placed appropriately in assigned bed and on the correct monitoring equipment.- Assists with the communication in the Progressive until by answering calls and making them as appropriate
• Reports every shift to the manager or designees any patient care issues or abnormal rates and cardiac rhythms
• - Works with the acute care setting team - follows the work assignment accordingly - and takes direction from the register nurse regarding patient care
• - The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the Medical Center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• - Responsible for stocking and inventory of all telemetry supplies and maintaining equipment at the station
• - Documents rhythm interpretation every 8 hours and with any rhythm change - Informs patient about exam being performed and any hazards associated with the exam - so patient understands procedure
• - Maintains and troubleshoots cardiac equipment to remain in clean working order
• -Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Days/Nights 12 hour shifts - rotation to other shifts as needed - as determined by service Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: 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) 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 #: 30474F - 30475F - 30403F - 30402F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized