Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to US Citizens. Selections will be made without regard to Veterans preference in accordance with Office of the Chief Human Capital Office Bulletin dated 10/1/2024.

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As a medical technician in the EKG, Holter and Exercise Laboratory and clinics for the Cardiology Section of the Nursing Services, the incumbent performs routine and emergency 12-lead electrocardiograms and treadmill exercise testing with 12-lead electrocardiographic monitoring. Duties include placing event recorders on patients (Holter Monitors) which provide a continuous (24 hour) magnetic tape of patient's EKG recordings (Holter Monitoring), scanning there recordings into the electronic medical record and providing physicians with a report regarding ECG abnormalities/events and corresponding symptoms documented by the patient in the patient log./diary.

The Medical Instrument Technician EKG also holds device clinics for patients who have implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators. The duties also include downloading EKG tracings from the MUSE, entering interpretation edits into the electronic medical record and uploading the final readings to VistA imaging via the MUSE/

• Processes request for electrocardiograms from inpatient and outpatient areas and assure they are completed with the correct priority.
• Able to perform and instruct others in the performance of 12-lead electrocardiograms. Must be familiar with common technical problems which require adjustment to the equipment to ensure a satisfactory quality tracing and recognizes machine malfunction and able to make appropriate adjustment and minor repairs.
• Able to assist with the editing and processing of routine tracings.
• Uploading tracings with physician edits to VistA Imaging.
• Able to apply the leads for the tape recorder which records 24 hour electrocardiograms and instruct the patient in its use and maintenance of the patient diary during the recording period.
• Able to analyze the tape recording using a sophisticated computerized scanner. The individual must have sufficient electrocardiographic knowledge to recognize arrhythmias, confirm or correct the computer diagnosis and select for printing appropriate portions of the electrocardiogram for analysis by the Cardiologist.
• Reviews the patient diary and ensures that the appropriate portions of the electrocardiogram are printed for correlation with symptoms and interpretation by the Cardiologist.
• Able to troubleshoot and remedy tape recorder and scanner problems.
• 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.
• Able to perform routine checks of pacemaker function using electronic device programmers. The individual is familiar with the operation of this equipment and performs routine checks unassisted and assists the physician in specialized testing and reprogramming of pacemakers. He/she must be familiar with pacemaker and defibrillator function and routine checks so as to be able to call a physician to the laboratory before the patient leaves when a malfunction is detected or suspected.
• Able to operate the treadmill, the bicycle 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.
• 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.

Work Schedule: Based on the Needs of the Service
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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: Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 71071F
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.
• 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. 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).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/14/2025.

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.
• (c). 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".: 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 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 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.

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 (FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL)

(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, & 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 is defined as:

• Performing specialized procedures such as operating and monitoring electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients.
• Monitoring 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.
• Evaluating test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and using 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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7

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)

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

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.