Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the John Cochran Division, VA St. Louis Health Care System, Saint Louis, MO, seeks a Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) to perform patient electrocardiograms and continuous observation of heart rhythms and oximetry.

This MIT analyzes, interprets, and documents cardiac activity and notifies staff of dangerous arrhythmias or alarm changes. The role involves monitoring real-time cardiac data, ensuring accurate device setup, and escalating issues promptly

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.

Responsibilities

• The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) operates and monitors electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized monitoring of arrhythmias, oximetry and ECGs.
• They 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 nurse or physician.
• They evaluate tracing to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results.

Skills

ECG interpretation

Cardiac monitoring

Medical terminology

Patient communication

Job description

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) position is located at the John Cochran Division - VA St. Louis Health Care System - St. Louis - MO. The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is a skilled technician who performs patient electrocardiograms and continuous observation of patient heart rhythms and oximetry via remote monitoring. The technician analyzes - interprets and documents cardiac activity and oximetry. Provides immediate notification of dangerous arrhythmias or alarm changes.

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) position is located at the John Cochran Division - VA St. Louis Health Care System - St. Louis - MO. The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is a skilled technician who performs patient electrocardiograms and continuous observation of patient heart rhythms and oximetry via remote monitoring. The technician analyzes - interprets and documents cardiac activity and oximetry. Provides immediate notification of dangerous arrhythmias or alarm changes.

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
• Grandfathering Provision
• 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 (GS-3) 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
• GS-5 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-4) 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 four 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: 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
• GS-6 Experience At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities related to the duties of the position to be filled
• In addition to the basic requirements - you must possess the following: At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) 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
• 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
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) operates and monitors electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized monitoring of arrhythmias - oximetry and ECGs
• They 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 nurse or physician
• They evaluate tracing to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results
• This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination
• They edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the nurse or physician
• Major duties and responsibilities of the position: Cardiac surveillance: Real-time monitoring of multiple patient heart rates - rhythms and oximetry using computerize monitoring systems
• Interpretation: Identifying normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms and oximetry levels
• Altering staff: Promptly communicating life-threating or significant changes to nurses and/or physician
• Activates rapid response or emergency Code Blue
• Equipment Maintenance: Prepare patient - applies electrodes - sets up monitoring equipment - troubleshooting issues - changing batteries - cleaning and inspecting leads and telemetry units
• Documentation: Admits patients in the central computer system - meticulously records patient cardiac data in electronic heath record
• Electrocardiograms: performs ECG - ensures transmission
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full Time
• 8 hour tours - nights & evenings
• Tours are subject to change based on the needs of the health care system
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.