Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all US Citizens. 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 not limited to:

• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including an in-depth understanding of the functioning of the major systems and internal organs to interpret requests and to recognize the need for additional tests or a different position.
• Knowledge of pharmacology including the classification and administration of drugs, patient responses, and common dosages as related to this specialty is required.
• Ability to perform Signal Averaged ECG, Tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring.
• Perform a wide variety of specialized and complex electrocardiographic procedures across inpatient and outpatient settings within the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System(CTVHCS).
• Performs and analyzes routine and specialized diagnostic cardiac procedures, including but not limited to: Electrocardiograms (ECGs),Exercise Stress Tests, Holter Monitor hookups and scanning, Signal Average (Late Potential) ECGs, Echocardiograms, Dobutamine Stress Echo, Stress Echocardiograms, Arterial Plethysmography, and Tilt Table Testing.
• Independently selects, operates, and calibrates equipment, ensuring accurate and reproducible test results.
• Works with a diverse patient population, including critically ill, isolated, and routine patients, and is responsible for recognizing and responding promptly to arrhythmias, ischemic changes, and acute myocardial infarction patterns.
• Initiates appropriate notification of physicians or emergency personnel when significant abnormalities or life-threatening conditions are observed.
• Calculates and interprets data such as arterial blood flow and hemodynamic responses during testing and documents all findings accurately in the patient record.
• Performs all procedures in accordance with established medical center and national standards to ensure accuracy, safety, and quality of care.
• Responsible for independently maintaining reports and documentation for all procedures performed across multiple CTVHCS sites.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for electrocardiography-related systems and workflows.
• Provides training and instruction to nursing, respiratory therapy, and medical students, as well as new technicians and clinical staff, on the correct techniques for obtaining electrocardiograms and the maintenance and operation of ECG equipment.
• Assists with competency assessments and provides feedback on best practices.
• Performs highly specialized and technical procedures such as T-Wave Alternans (TWA) and Tilt Table testing, requiring close coordination between physician and technician to ensure patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.
• Independently monitors and documents blood pressure, heart rate, rhythm strips, and other vital parameters, promptly alerting the physician to any abnormal findings or adverse patient responses.
• Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and serves as a first responder in cardiac emergencies, initiating emergency procedures and assisting the code team when needed.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 56064-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Recruitment Incentive (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)
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)

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 identification 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

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.
• 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. Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.
• Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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-8 Medical Instrument Technician (EKG):
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) , 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. Examples of experience would include; operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings; 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; evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results; edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience, candidates must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

• 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.

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:

• Certified EKG Technician
• Three or more years' experience performing in EKG field or cardiology
• Currently employed as an EKG Technician or Cardiology Technician

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.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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.