The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) practices as a cardiac telemetry technician located on 6 West. This position provides cardiac telemetry and oximetry monitoring for inpatients under the Critical and Procedural Care section of Patient Care Services at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) Seattle Division. The MIT is responsible for remote cardiac and pulse oximetry monitoring utilizing specialized equipment to monitor patients.

Duties

Duties listed are for GS-7 full performance level, lower grades will differ in level of oversight, complexity and scope. Duties include, but are not limited to: Expected to have knowledge of common equipment problems/ challenges and is skilled in troubleshooting issues seeking quick resolution to prevent delays or barriers to efficient monitoring. Promotes safety and redundant processes and monitors compliance. Provides input to policy/procedure changes or development. Acts as a mentor or preceptor to other technicians. Trains new employees on telemetry and EKG/ECG machines. Conducts in-service training Trains and validates competency of telemetry staff or others as directed in ECG/EKG and telemetry applications. Ensures that educational and competency files are complete and orderly following medical center policy. Maintain BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support). ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) is desirable/recommended but not required. Responsible for the telemetry monitoring of patients remotely utilizing specialized cardiac telemetry and pulse oximetry monitoring equipment. They will be able to identify cardiac rhythm changes and /or life threatening /abnormal cardiac rhythms and pulse oximetry changes. Adept in the use of the telemetry monitoring equipment to include but not limited to admitting, discharging and tracking of patients to ensure correct identification Reviews patient information to determine heart rhythm patterns, prior variances and current pathology. Monitors patients via telemetry equipment to detect, record, and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns/dysrhythmias, abnormal ECG intervals, and appropriate and inappropriate pacemaker or implantable defibrillator functions. Notifies appropriate personnel of changes in cardiac rhythm status. Informs nursing or physician staff of potentially life-threatening rhythm changes and pacemaker or implantable defibrillator malfunction. Facilitates correct placement of telemetry chest leads to ensure accurate cardiac rhythm analysis. Determines technical factors, sets telemetry parameters according to physician orders/ SOP and operates essential equipment. Orders and maintains specialized supplies used for telemetry monitoring. Documents pertinent observations in the computerized patient record system Skilled in performing Electrocardiographs (EKG/ECG's). Observes patients on 6 West who are undergoing long term epilepsy monitoring utilizing approved video equipment. Will observe for gross motor/seizure like movement alerting nursing staff. Only 6 West has video monitoring for long term epilepsy patients. Uses approved medical devices, procedures, policies and evidenced based practice in carrying out duties. Uses judgment in selecting and adapting telemetry application techniques and materials as indicated. Provides Customer Service. Answers patient calls (call lights) and relays information/messages to the appropriate care provider. Greets and assists visitors and patients. Communicates in a polite, professional courteous manner. Maintains patient/client and staff privacy. Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiates other emergency procedures as necessary, including fire and disaster procedures. Performs safe body mechanics. Work Schedule: 2 shifts available: Night shift, Monday - Friday, 12 hour tours - OR - Variable Shift Day/Night, also 12 hour tour. Each pay period will consist of six 12 hour tours and one 8 hour tour. Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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: Grade Qualification GS-4: 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 to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR, Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Grade Qualification GS-5: 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 to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR, Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-6 Medical Instrument Technician - Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicating medical conditions in order to prepare and position the patient for the prescribed procedure. 2. Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests. 3. Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment. 4. Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action. 5. Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing. Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician - Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, March 17, 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include working with hands in water.

Education

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]