Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This position is open to department employees only.

Videos

• Electrocardiograms:
  • Performs 12 Lead EKGs for inpatients and outpatients.
  • Processes EKG tracings obtained and transmitted from Inpatient and Outpatient areas, clinics, correcting demographic errors, editing multiples, blanks and assigning tracings to Cardiologists (based on a schedule).
  • Able to instruct others in the performance of 12-lead electrocardiograms. Must be familiar with common technical problems which require adjustment to the EKG equipment to ensure satisfactory quality tracing and recognizes machine malfunction and able to make appropriate adjustment and minor repairs.
  • Able to assist with editing and processing routine tracings.
  • Alerting providers to critical findings when appropriate.
  • Troubleshooting transmission, equipment and end-user issues throughout the Medical Center.
  • Tracking and entering clinic workload data.
• Event/Arrhythmia Monitors:
  • Correct application of short-term patch technology that records 3 days up to two-weeks of cardiac rhythm data, the associated patch registration for reporting, managing the arrhythmia/event monitoring consult, assigning physicians for reading/interpretation and attaching final reports to the consult/electronic medical record.
  • Handle patient inquiries and issues as it pertains to short-term monitoring and long-term monitoring utilizing home transmission, connecting Veterans to appropriate resources as necessary.
  • Accurate documentation in the electronic medical record to include device information, patient education and workload per unit protocol.
  • Tracking and entering clinic workload data.
• Pacemaker and Defibrillator Clinic:
  • This position is responsible for coordination for CIED clinic coordination and veteran registration for the VA National Cardiac Device Surveillance Program.
  • Able to instruct the patient in the appropriate follow up of permanent cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators and schedule follow-up visits and maintains a log of scheduled visits.
  • Register Veterans for home monitoring to transmit data to the VA National Pacemaker/ICD Surveillance Center.
  • Tracking and entering clinic workload data.
• Treadmill/Arm Ergometer Exercise Testing:
  • The technician is able to evaluate the consult/request for test and the patient's medical record and determine appropriateness of non-thallium exercise stress test request. For requests that are not appropriate, the technician is expected to contact the provider requesting exercise testing and explain the issue. If there is a question of test appropriateness that is not clear cut, the technician will consult an attending cardiologist.
  • The technician is able to insert and discontinue intravenous access for stress testing as per facility policy.
  • The laboratory performs arm ergometer and treadmill exercise testing without thallium scanning. The test is performed with continuous EKG (electrocardiograph) monitoring. The technician applies the leads to the patient and operates the equipment.
  • The technician can operate the treadmill, the arm ergometer and monitoring equipment using a variety of protocols according to the request of the Provider supervising the test. He/she must be able to vary the testing protocol according to the clinical condition of the patient as the test proceeds. e. The technician demonstrates to and instructs the patient in the use of the treadmill.
  • The technician assists the physician in observing the electrocardiograph and clinical response of the patient to the exercise procedure and modifying or terminating the test as indicated.
  • Tracking and entering clinic workload data.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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 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.

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. 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". 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English

Grade Determinations:

• Medical Instrument Technician EKG, GS-08 level;
  • Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which provided knowledge of advanced specialized procedures, the pharmacology related to this occupation, and knowledge of related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on organs and methods of treatment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*)
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: KSAs 1, 2, 3, and 4 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 5 and 6 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment
    • Knowledge of pharmacology related to specialized procedures.
    • Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians.
    • Knowledge of a variety of related acute disorders and diseases, their effects on organs, and methods of treatment.
    • Ability to perform more complex procedures such as SAECG (Signal Averaged ECG), Tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring.
    • *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
    • *Ability to manage and supervise employees.

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a Medical Instrument Technician on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
2. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
3. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
4. Medical Instrument Technicians who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
5. Medical Instrument Technicians initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

NOTE: If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

References: VA Handbook 5005/13 Part II Appendix G27, March 17, 2006.

Preferred Experience: Must have experience with MUSE and Device Clinic. & Previous stress testing experience.

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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-08 level.

Physical Requirements: This position involves walking, frequent bending, reaching and stretching to assemble, set up, and take apart equipment. The incumbent also carries, pulls, and pushes moderately heavy objects, such as equipment and supplies. Above average dexterity is required.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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.