Clarification from the agency

Open to All U.S. Citizens. Selections from this announcement will be made without regard to Veterans preference in accordance with Office of the Chief Human Capital Office (OCHCO) Bulletin dated 10/3/2023.

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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. The duties include the following:

• Use of common equipment setting and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures.
• Modify procedures/positions to obtain the correct results with patients with complicating conditions such as amputation, Parkinson's Disease, structural defects, and scar tissue.
• Act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians or same grade technicians.
• Monitor tracings to identify arrythmia when gross abnormalities appears, when to repeat certain procedures, when to stop test procedures, and when to get immediate attentions of physician.
• Evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results.
• Adapt equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination.
• Edit and select the appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician.
• Equipment Maintenance/repair: Tracks and maintains records of repair histories.
• Inputs patient data into the telemetry monitoring system and assure patients are placed appropriately in assigned bed and on correct monitoring equipment.
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the Medical Center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed.
• Responsible for stocking and inventory of all telemetry supplies and maintaining equipment at the station.
• Document rhythm interpretation every 8 hours and with any rhythm change.
• Inform patient about exam being performed and any hazards associated with the exam, so patient understands procedure.
• Maintain and troubleshoot cardiac equipment to remain in clean working order.
• Assist nursing with determining alarm setting and customizing parameters for each patient.
• Recognizes lethal rhythms/arrhythmias (including acute myocardial infraction, STEMI, NSTEMI) and immediately notifies appropriate staff.
• Centralized monitoring, prints and interprets all elements of telemetry rhythm strip and informs nursing staff of any changes in rhythm.
• Document communication with nursing staff regarding changes in patient condition and monitor settings.
• Provide companionship (sitter) as needed, completes labs as assigned, functions as a Nursing Assistant as assigned, breaks sitters, assists with transport, completes as assigned documents I&Os, and oral care as assigned.
• Work with the Nursing team, follows the work assignment accordingly, and takes direction from the registered nurse regarding patient care.
• When not assigned to the technical duty of the monitors, the MIT will perform the following functions under the direction of the RN. Obtain vital signs as assigned, perform 12 lead EKG's, remove and apply remote telemetry, help maintain a safe environment of care, and other duties as assigned. maintains flexibility related to work.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Full-time, Based on the needs of the service
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 71131-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• 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.
• 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 desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) Certifications.

Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation.

Grade Determinations:

GS-7 (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.

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & 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.

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.

Preferred Experience: 1-2 years telemetry monitoring and/or EMT, CNA, ED tech experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (50 LBS and over); Heavy Carrying (50 LBS and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing(1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted)

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.