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The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:
GS-6
his is a developmental level position. It is expected that the Telemetry Technician, at this level, receive minimal guidance from experienced staff members. If they are new to the role or unit they will have an assigned preceptor and may require frequent, direct supervision. The incumbent needs standard knowledge of medical terminology in the performance of these duties.
The Telemetry Technician will complete tasks that are needed to support the Telemetry Studio. The Developmental Telemetry Technicians operate and monitor cardiac telemetry equipment to perform specialized studies involving identification and notification of rhythm changes, as well as, arrhythmias, and measurements of the following rates and intervals: atrial rate, ventricular rate, PR, QRS, QT, QTC, R-R intervals. They select the most appropriate electrode configuration and choose the best lead selection for arrhythmia detection. They assign pagers and phones and monitor all equipment to ensure it is functioning appropriately. They perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures. They also conduct alarm review and set alarm limits.
The incumbent is the primary notification of arrhythmias to the RN caring for the patient and provide consultation to the medical team. If the arrhythmia identified is a potential lethal arrhythmia, they work with the RN to initiate an emergency code response.
Additionally, the incumbent will become adept at admitting and discharging patients from the central monitor; Updating daily assignment board and sheet with current nurse, patient, pager and phone; Completing telemetry charging log sheets; Assuring that all telemetry orders are current and not expired; Completing and posting telemetry reports; Entering telemetry data; and Assuring that equipment, which is malfunctioning, is sent to BioMed with an accurate description of the malfunction.

GS-7
This represents the full performance level. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. 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 physician by working with the RN to initiate an emergency code response.
They evaluate test results 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 physician.
It is expected that the Telemetry Technician, at this level, to 1) have knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures; 2) have the 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; 3) to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians; and 4) to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation.
Additionally, the incumbent will be adept at admitting and discharging patients from the central monitor; Updating daily assignment board and sheet with current nurse, patient, pager and phone; Completing telemetry charging log sheets; Assuring that all telemetry orders are current and not expired; Completing and posting telemetry reports; Entering telemetry data; and Assuring that equipment, which is malfunctioning, is sent to BioMed with an accurate description of the malfunction.
They assign pagers and phones and monitor all equipment to ensure it is functioning appropriately. They also conduct alarm review and set alarm limits.

Work Schedule: 5:00am - 5:30pm or 5:00pm - 5:30am, Variable days to include weekends and holidays
Compressed/Flexible:Available.
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• 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).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English

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-6
(a) 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:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. 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.
2. Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests.
3. Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment.
4. Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action.
5. Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing.
(c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification.
(d) Assignment. 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.

GS-7
(a) 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:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias. 2. Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures.
3. 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.
4. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians.
5. Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation.
(c) 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.
(d) Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. 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 physician. They evaluate test results 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 physician.

Preferred Experience:
Preferred experience in Cardiac
Telemetry or EKG Direct patient care

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27

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-06 to GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying up to 44 pounds. Straight pulling 1-2 hours. Pushing 1-2 hours. Reaching above shoulder. Use of fingers. Both hands required. Walking 4-8 hours. Standing 4-8 hours. Repeated bending 4-8 hours. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Both eyes required. Depth perception. Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Hearing (aid may be permitted). Mental and emotional stability.

Environmental Factors: Excessive noise, intermittent. Working around machinery with moving parts. Working closely with others. Working alone.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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