Medical Instrument Technician

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: 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. alternating weekends and holidays with rotation subject to change based on the needs of the service
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 $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 Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00513-F 00514-F 02139-F 02140-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 Parkinsons 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.