This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), student loan reimbursement program. To participate you must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA Policy 1021 and submit your application within four months of appointment. The final award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. The EDRP Coordinators can be reached at [email protected].

Duties

The incumbent independently performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures and related examinations such as applying ambulatory monitoring devices, scanning Holter data cards, performing pacemaker EKG checks, and editing EKG, Holter, and treadmill reports. Operates diagnostic medical equipment as a part of treatment of patients, supports registered nurses and physicians. Includes exercise tolerance testing system and Holter monitoring/scanner. Interprets request from physician for appropriateness of requested procedure for patient's ability to perform prescribed test. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures or that have special procedures identified and explained. Incumbent understands and carries out the appropriate requests made by practitioners or seeks assistance of the supervisor when an uncommon, unique, or new procedure is requested. Performs 12 lead EKG's for both the inpatient and outpatient populations. Responds to STAT's, codes, and clinics. Performs EKG by obtaining three lead rhythm strip and the 12 lead EKG. Prepares the EKG file for the cardiologist to read by pulling previous EKG for comparison and placing with current EKG. Edits final official interpretation into the MUSE data storage system. Retrieves confirmed and unconfirmed copies of EKG's as needed. Matches EKG's completed without proper identifications with EKG's currently on file to complete patient record. When performing 12 lead EKG, if recognizes an acute change or arrhythmia will alert the physician requesting the EKG and/or the cardiologist. Follows established procedures for preparing and placing 24-hour EKG Holter monitor on patients. Instructs patients as to the reasons for 24-hour monitoring; how, what, and when to record in the diary, and how to use the Holter monitor to mark events while being worn. Performs analysis of 24-hour Holter monitor EKG recordings for rhythm, arrhythmias, ST segment, and heart rate variability. Will compile data for preliminary report for final interpretation by the cardiologist. Follows established guidelines for non-nuclear treadmill stress tests. Will take a brief history of patient, place electrodes, instruct the patient of process to be followed for test, and enter data into the stress test monitor. Performs and records pre, during and post blood pressures and heart rates, runs the final report, depreps the patient and compiles the data to include the final reading for entry into CPRS. Will alert practitioner supervising the stress as to abnormalities in history, such as recent chest pain, and abnormalities in EKG/heart rate and blood pressure readings. Performs pacemaker EKG checks and Automatic Intracardiac Defibrillator EKG checks with use of the magnet during the rhythm strip. Compiles this data with data obtained during cardiologist/nurse practitioner examination. Notifies cardiologist to check patient, when necessary, schedules appointment for next pacemaker check, compiles all data for official interpretation by cardiologist, and maintains files of above data on all active and inactive pacemaker patients as required by FDA and the VA Central Office Pacer Registry database. For patients followed by the VA Central Office Pacer Registry, instructs the patient on the usage of the trans-telephonic wrist monitors. Receives all consults for all procedures performed in EKG. Makes appointments for all pacemaker, Holter and stress patients, coordinating according to appropriateness for patient depending upon required procedure, patient's other appointments, physician request, etc. Enters all provider, diagnosis codes and procedure codes for capture of workload into appointment manager. Educates the patient about the procedure to allay any fear, using tact and respect. Establishes and maintains effective rapport with patients of all ages who are often critically ill and applies special care and understanding in relations with such patients. Emphasizes importance of following exact direction during the test period. Instructs patients pre-procedure to assure confidence and cooperation of patient during procedures. Answers questions by patient and or family members. Instructs in the operation of EKG equipment and performance of EKG tests, Holter monitor, and high resolution signal-averaging 12 lead EKG's to include interpretation and limited understanding by the students to personnel of the Medical Center, Hudson Valley Community College students, and Albany High School Health Exploration Program students. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 38693F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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 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. 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-07 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, and Abilities Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias. Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures. 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. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Sarah Cassidy
• Email: [email protected]