Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

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.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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-08
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-07 which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Examples of experience are: 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; monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear, when to repeat certain procedures, when to stop test procedures, and when to get the immediate attention of a physician; evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results; adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination; edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician.

In addition to the experience, candidates must have demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of pharmacology related to specialized procedures.
• Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians.
• Knowledge of a variety of related acute disorders and diseases, their effects on organs, and methods of treatment.
• Ability to perform more complex procedures such as SAECG (Signal Averaged ECG), Tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring.

Certification. No certification or registration is required. Certification is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT). Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.

Preferred Experience:

• Certification Desired Certified Cardiographic Technician, Certified EKG Tech
• 3 or more years experience performing in EKG Field or Cardiology
• Currently employed as an EKG Technician or Cardiology Technician

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/54, PART II, Appendix G27, Appendix E, GS-649; Medical Instrument Technician (EKG). For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Repeated bending; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Hearing without aid.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.