Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level receive and interpret physicians requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments; explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patients confidence and cooperation; document the patients 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.

Functions:
a. Collect analyze and integrate patient information to identify and meet patient-specific needs (physical/mental limitations current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure pertinent medical/social history) and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician and protocols.
b. Complete and verify documentation.
c. Explain pre-testing testing and post-testing procedures to the patient.
d. Informs the provider of the action taken and directs the results to him/her in a timely manner.
e. Enters test results and other pertinent patient information into the computer on a timely basis as directed by the cardiologist.
f. Gather and Analyze Patient Information.
g. Prepare and calibrate equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary.
h. Perform EKG data acquisition while monitoring study-tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and make adjustments if necessary.
i. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide age specific care in the treatment assessment and education of adult and geriatric patents.
j. Generate accurate reports and clinical event data.
k. Upon request for an emergency procedure with an immediate report the results will be shown to the interpreting physician as soon as the test is completed and often must convey the report to the requesting physician.
l. Although not responsible for interpretation of the results the incumbent must know through experience how to recognize abnormalities and promptly bring them to the attention of the supervisor.
m. Recognizes cardiac arrhythmias and makes extended or multiple recordings when the cardiac rhythm is abnormal.
n. Recognizes cardiac emergencies from unread or interpreted tracings Takes appropriate action including notification of a physician so that emergency measures may be instituted as quickly as possible.
o. The incumbent manages distribution and application of ambulatory EKG monitoring devices. This requires knowledge of the equipment including lead placement to the correct anatomical areas after proper preparation of the: patient and instruction of the patient in his/her role in the procedure and operation.
p. Obtains and records patients vital signs.
q. Enters note in CPRS.r. Assist with controlled exercise tests to evaluate the status of selected patients. Both physical (treadmill) and chemical (dipyridamole dobutamine adenosine etc.) forms of stress may be employed. All forms of stress are performed with electrocardiographic monitoring and may be followed by nuclear imaging (thallium sestamibi etc.)s. Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4 pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
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)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 $144000 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 #: 71071-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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. c. Licensure or Certification.
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• 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.