Summary

This Medical Instrument Technician Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) position is located within the Nursing - Acute Care at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Houston - Texas.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States
• (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"
• Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) - 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 - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology
• Ability to learn the components - operating characteristics - and settings of the equipment to be used
• Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress
• Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee) - 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 function
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities
• Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine
• Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) -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: 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
• Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests
• Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment
• Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action
• 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
• Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) - 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: Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize - report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias
• Knowledge of common equipment settings 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 amputations - Parkinson's disease - structural defects - and scar tissue
• Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians
• 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: Details you would like considered to be included on announcement
• Telemetry monitoring experience in acute care setting within the last 2 years - Telemetry Interpretation certification (or equivalent) preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS7
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS7
• Physical 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 - pulling - 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

• If you are a current - permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency - you should apply under CBST-12954110-26-JA
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The work involves performance of varied procedures and treatment techniques in providing continuous cardiac monitoring for diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac diseases - cardiac devices such as pacemakers and automated implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD) and other medical problems
• The monitoring results affect the accuracy and reliability of physicians' diagnoses and treatment and thus the quality of patient care
• the monitoring results provide patient information - which may ensure timeliness of life-saving interventions
• The incumbent works at the Michael E
• DeBakey VA Medical Center operating medical diagnostic equipment
• Duties include continuous monitoring during ambulatory exercise testing - pulse oximetry monitoring - monitoring patients with Holter monitors - MUSE computer storage system for scanning and integration in CPRS and VISTA imaging associated with each
• Will be expected to perform other duties as assigned
• The Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) will maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• The work may require the employee to workdays - evenings - nights - rotating shifts - and extended hours
• This position may be designated as essential during increment weather conditions or other appropriate emergency conditions
• Will be expected to perform duties independently and required minimal supervision and consultation for unusual circumstances
• Supervisor may periodically spot check any work at various intervals and completed work is accurate and timely
• Completed work is reviewed and in compliance with hospital policy and guidelines
• Specific - detailed guidelines covering all important aspects of the assignments are provided by the service Supervisor
• Within the established guidelines - uses independent judgment in the performance of duties and whether to repeat - modify or immediately notify staff of monitoring results
• Identifies and selects the appropriate guideline - reference or procedure
• makes minor deviation to adapt the guidelines in specific cases and resolve problems
• Work Schedule: 7:30 PM - 8:00 AM with rotation of work days - weekends and holidays
• subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 #: 00513-F (GS4)
• 00514-F (GS5)
• 02138-F (GS6)
• 02140-F (GS7) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized