The Medical Instrument Technician - Electrocardiograph Technicians (EKG) is located in the Nursing service line of the Phoenix VA Health Care System (PVAHCS), located at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. In this position, you will be responsible for skilled continuous comprehensive monitoring, interpretation, evaluation, and documentation of the patent cardiac monitoring system for acute inpatients with orders for telemetry monitoring.
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 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at the GS-6 level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and GS-7 level have ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. Grade Determinations: GS-5 Medical Instrument Technicians (Trainee): 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 EKG 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. 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. 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 functions. GS-6 Medical Instrument Technicians (EKG): 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. GS-7 Medical Instrument Technicians (EKG) Full Performance Level: 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. Preferred Experience: Telemetry monitor experience. Strong cardiac rhythm interpretation experience. 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 in the range of GS-05 to GS-07. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and reaching over head. The incumbent must be able to stand and move for extended periods of time.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the position include but are not limited to: Uses monitoring equipment with supervision and collaboration with primary RN, charge nurse, or medical provider. Reports rhythm changes and arrhythmias to the assigned RN and charge nurse. Reviews previous shift's rhythm strips for shift history and appropriate parameters of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, or arrhythmias. Interprets and identifies cardiac rhythms and electrocardiographic changes in rhythm. Collects rhythm strips and documents ventricular rate, PR interval, and QRS duration. Gives verbal reports to the assigned RN and other Tele Technicians according to policy. Admits and discharges patients to the Telemetry Report/Log. Sets alarms in accordance with physician orders, clinical alarm policy, and consultations with qualified RN. Troubleshoots to recognize problems, identify possible causes, and seek solutions. Reports and submits work orders for equipment in need of repair. Maintains a log and inventory of equipment as assigned. Follows CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment. Monitors Telemetry equipment and performs all quality control checks. Promotes the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Interacts professionally with both internal and external customers. Participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities. Serves as a member of the health care team and adheres to established lines of authority and communication. Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) Additional Duties: Maintains quality assurance of all Telemetry and EKG equipment. Contacts Biomedical Engineering for periodic maintenance. Reviews new technical developments in Telemetry and recommends improvements to Nursing management. Performs rhythm evaluation and interpretation, understanding cardiovascular anatomy, Medical Terminology, EKG rhythm analysis, and variation of normal. Recognizes equipment malfunctions and calls for service. Reviews and organizes patient's previous studies for effective diagnostic use. Maintains a clean and sanitary Telemetry suite, maintains supplies, and determines need for new or different equipment. Work Schedule: Night Shift - 6:30pm - 7:00am - Rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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)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)