Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph Technician-EKG)

Summary Medical Instrument Technicians (Electrocardiograph Technician) (EKG) operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. They monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear, when to repeat certain procedures, when to stop test procedures and when a Physician's attention is required. Duties The major duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) position will include: Stress Test: 1. Assist in performance of exercise treadmill and pharmacologic stress tests. 2. He/s he will inform patients about the protocol for exercise or pharmacologic stress testing. 3. Carefully prepare the patient's skin and apply electrodes to eliminate interference. 4. Monitor blood pressure accurately and rapidly before, during, and after exercise or pharmacologic stress, and observe the ECG for changes in rate or rhythm that would require modifications in the test protocol or the discontinuation of the procedure. 5. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will operate computerized ECG acquisition equipment. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will monitor patients for exercise tolerance where appropriate and assist in determining when exercise must be terminated. 6. Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be prepared to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency and must be competent to initiate basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation if needed. Holter Monitor: 1. Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall prepare patients for holter monitoring. This includes patient teaching, skin preparation and application of electrodes and acquiring a standardized baseline. 2. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall be able to scan (read) holter tapes using an automated, computerized reading station and prepare standardized arrhythmia summaries for reading by the physician. 3. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care. Cardiac Event Monitor: 1. The technician shall instruct patients in the use and application of cardiac event monitors. 2. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will instruct patients on methods of telephone transmittal and receive telephone transmittal of arrhythmia recordings from patients. 3. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care. 4. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be capable of recognizing malignant arrhythmias and significant abnormalities such as ischemia and infarction patterns. EKG: 1. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall record routine and emergent 12 lead electrocardiograms on both outpatients and hospitalized patients. 2. The technician shall also make appropriate lead placements, e.g., Lewis leads to locate atrial activity, where these are appropriate, whether or not his referring physician has ordered them. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall be able to download recorded ECGs to a computerized ECG data management system (GE, MUSE). 3. The technician shall also assist in EKG monito ring during tilt testing and pharmacological interventions and be prepared to warn the physician immediately of any untoward drug effects. Other Duties: 1. The technician shall instruct residents, fellows, and medical students in how to perform non-invasive procedures and basic interpretation of tests. 2. The technician shall maintain all equipment in good working order and make minor repairs and adjustments as needed. Any malfunction will be reported immediately to the biomedical engineering or his/her designee. 3. The technician will be able to orient new nursing personnel when there are questions about operation of equipment. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91286-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized and may be offered to selected applicants. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment medical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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. 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). Grade Determinations:GS-7, Medical Instrument Technician (EKG). (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-6, 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: (b) 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, G27 Physical Requirements: The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)must be able to help move equipment, transfer and position patients, and perform delicate manipulations as needed to obtain accurate and complete studies. Work is in a clinical cardiac non-invasive laboratory on general patient floors and in intensive care unit environments as required to obtain ECG studies on a all patients. Radioisotopes may be present for nuclear studies during exercise. Nuclear medicine personnel will assist in all studies involving radioisotopes. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will wear a radiation badge. Education There are no educational requirements for this position. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.