Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform routine 12 lead, rhythm strip, special procedure (i.e. Nuclear Stress Test) and STAT electrocardiograms in a timely manner.
• Incumbent will operate proficiently the computerized ECG equipment i.e. entering pertinent patient demographics and related medical information into the ECG cart.
• Incumbent will transmit data from ECG carts to the computerized central ECG storage system (MUSE), edit unconfirmed ECGS and retrieve ECGS if necessary.
• Incumbent will be trained to apply ambulatory Holter/Event monitoring, Holter scanning and assist with nuclear stress tests.
• Will maintain a comprehensive knowledge and proficiency of the use of the hospital computer database system (VISTA, CPRS).
• Responsible for closing consults on Holter & Event Monitor hook-up, and outpatient EKGS.

Electrocardiography:

• Incumbent will review ECG for any major abnormalities (i.e. MI, tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation) and bring it to the attention of a nurse or physician.
• Will respond appropriately to emergency cardiac situations such as "CODE BLUE".
• Incumbent will coordinate work assignments, download ECG carts on a daily basis to insure prompt editing and availability of interpreted ECG test results.
• Will participate in training and/or orientating new technicians, physicians, and nurses in performing various cardiac non-invasive procedures when needed.
• The incumbent is knowledgeable of the technical abilities and limitations of the equipment and is able to trouble-shoot and correct minor equipment malfunctions.

Editing ECGS:

• The technician will be trained to edit patient's name & social security # in the MUSE.

Application of a Holter monitor and Event monitor:

• Incumbent will prepare patients for Holter monitoring.
• Will prepare patients for event monitoring.
• Will instruct patients on method of telephone transmittal of arrythmia that they are experiencing.

Holter Scanning:

• The technician must be able to identify all arrythmias and independently compose a report for the physicians to review for interpretation.
• The technician is responsible for Holter test results being entered in the hospital's DHCP computer system.

Nuclear Stress Test:

• The technician will prepare patient for stress test. This includes patient teaching, skin preparation, application of electrodes and attaching lead wires.
• Will get brief history on patient to assess ability to comprehend and perform the procedure.
• Will operate computerized stress equipment during the stress test. Will monitor and record patients' blood pressure and heart rate accurately according to protocol.
• Incumbent will be able to recognize and report to the physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner (that is performing test) any abnormal or unusual ECG or rate changes during stress test.
• The technician will be able to recognize and trouble shoot minor problems with the computerized stress system.

Encounter Forms:

• The technician is responsible for completing an encounter form in CPRS for Cardiology Diagnostic test i.e. application, scanning and physician interpretation of holder monitor application of event monitor.
• Incumbent is also responsible for putting in a progress note in CPRS for any Cardiology Diagnostic test done.

May perform additional duties as required.

Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm M-F
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)
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: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.
• 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

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.
• 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 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.
• 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-7
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 being filled. This experience shows knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures, and typical readings including arrhythmias and abnormalities. As example, receiving and interpreting physician's requests for procedures and/or treatments; explaining the procedure to a patient; documenting the patient's record, etc. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.


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.

Physical Requirements: Work is performed throughout the hospital in various settings as listed above. There is extensive walking, standing, sitting, talking, some bending and some patient positioning is involved. There is pushing of equipment (i.e. ECG machine) daily.

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.