Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Electrocardiographic Technician to ensure high-quality EKG tracings, operate and maintain EKG equipment, and document patient data.

The role requires understanding of the EKG data management system and ability to interpret requests for diagnostic procedures. GS-07 level requires demonstrating KSAs related to arrhythmia recognition, standardized procedures, and mentoring of lower-graded technicians.

Qualifications

• US citizenship required by VA policy.
• English proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Certification not required but BCLS/ACLS desirable.
• Licensure not required but desirable at GS-6+; certain certifications may be required for higher levels.

Responsibilities

• Receive and interpret physician requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments.
• Explain procedures to patients to secure confidence and cooperation.
• Document patient records accurately.
• Operate, calibrate, and clean/sterilize EKG equipment; monitor patients for adverse reactions.

Skills

Patient safety KSAs

EKG knowledge

Mentorship/Training

Procedural adaptation

In-service training design

Tools

EKG equipment

Job description

The Electrocardiographic Technician's primary function is to ensure that high quality electrocardiographic tracings are obtained. This position requires knowledge of the EKG data management system, a multi-component system that requires the technician to understand the workings of each individual part in its entirety.

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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• 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.
• 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".

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

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-06 Assignment.

Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level receive and interpret physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments; explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; document the patient's record; independently perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions; and operate, calibrate, and clean and/or sterilize commonly used equipment. Assignments at this level require knowledge of standard medical terminology as well as common diseases and their specific affects.

Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG), GS-07 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.

• 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.

Preferred Experience:

None.

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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements:

This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing, bending, reaching, crouching, stooping, stretching, and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals, record boxes, equipment or assisting patients.

See https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/OCHCO/SitePages/D5019.aspx VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.