Under general supervision of a Cardiology Supervisor, technician serves as a Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph) responsible for all technical aspects of state-of-the-art electrocardiograph (ECG) testing. Operates and monitors the performance of computerized ECG equipment used in the performance of a variety of specialized, complex, non-invasive cardiac procedures.

Duties

Stress tests: Operates specialized, computerized treadmill systems, and assists the physician in the safe performance of various exercise tests. Assesses real-time test results to modify testing technique to optimize data acquisition and quality. Utilizes the electrocardiograph to produce specialized diagnostic recordings of electromotive variations in the action of heart muscle to provide data for diagnosis of heart ailments. Explains testing procedures to patient and positions patient; makes proper electrode connections to record tracings and to monitor heart action on oscilloscope. Adjusts speed and inclinations of treadmill in accordance with established guidelines under the direction of the licensed provider and based on patient's response. Records data (e.g., angle and speed of treadmill, patient's indication of pain, measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, premature ventricular contractions) and stops test when indicated. Informs physician of wave abnormalities on electrocardiogram. Assists with T wave alternans testing using sophisticated electronics, smart electrodes, and special software, to detect alternations of the T wave that are very small. Holter monitoring: Prepares patients for Holter monitor testing and scans Holter data tapes using a computerized Holter system. Reviews, edits, and confirms arrhythmias identified by the monitor system prior to submission of the report for physician review. Analyzes data from the Holter monitor worn by patient for 24-48-hour period for use in diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders. Utilizes knowledge of heart rhythms to identify irregularities in patient cardiac patterns, regular and irregular cardiac-function patterns. Prints out sections of abnormal heart patterns or full disclosure tape for physician. Cardiac Event monitoring: Responsible for initial in-depth instruction to patient regarding procedure and purpose of monitor, as well as how to remove and return the monitor. Accurately positions a single-use ambulatory cardiac monitor on patient and if need arises, shaves the patient's chest hair to assure proper placement. When applicable, provides patient with event diary and instructions on its use in daily functions and activities. Responsible for enrolling patients when outside event monitoring system is used. During duty hours, responsible for taking calls from outside event monitoring company regarding provider alerts. Analyzes and recognizes abnormalities of cardiac rate variation and rhythm and notifies responsible provider immediately regarding potentially dangerous and life-threatening information. Electrocardiogram (ECG): Conducts routine and emergency electrocardiography tests using ECG machines. Prepares for electrocardiograph by positioning patient on examination table and instructing patient as to procedure to be accomplished. Accurately attaches electrodes to patient and connects electrodes to machine cable. Standardizes ECG machines by adjusting various knobs and switches as necessary. Observes ECG recording and corrects for any artifacts such as wandering or irregular baseline due to lose electrodes; somatic tremor due to patient movement or respiration; and alternating current interference. Varies test procedures as needed to adjust to patient's medical condition and to assess the adequacy of results obtained under less-than-ideal conditions (e.g., patient cannot cooperate, cannot be positioned normally). Recognizes abnormal ECG results and notifies medical officer or designee of the results including any symptoms or other data (vital signs, etc.). Applies special procedures and care in handling of patients with abnormal results, patients that are critically ill or injured, recognizes abnormal responses, initiates appropriate emergency procedures, and notifies Medical officer of emergency. Records patient's name, date of birth, and other vital information (in accordance with Joint Commission and hospital/clinic standards) and examination date on ECG tracing. Transmits EKG to main storage/archival system; gives ECG to Medical Officer for interpretation and subsequently enters ECG on designated electronic medical record (EMR) and/or archival system. Routes the final report to requesting Medical officer via the EMR. Patient screening/vital signs: Greets patients and confirms patient identity in accordance with The Joint Commission and hospital standards. Queries patients for routine screening questions as dictated by Clinic/Hospital/Joint Commission standards to include (but not limited to) Learning needs assessment and Falls risk assessment. Takes vital signs to include blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and pain level (takes temperature when requested by provider). Obtains accurate height and weight and escorts patients to exam rooms, waiting room or procedure rooms. (Approx. 75%) Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1630 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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.) 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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. GRADE REQUIREMENTS a. Definitions: For purposes of this qualification standard the specialty areas of this occupation have been grouped into [seven] functional areas. Electrocardiograph Technicians (EKG) operate instruments used to record electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, 24-48 heart monitoring and scanning, and pacemaker evaluations. Certification is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT). (See Appendix E) Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. [Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.] Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. Part-time Experience. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service. Fellowships. N/A Internships. N/A Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University. [Training.] Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for-month basis through the GS-5 level. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. GS-7 (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, and 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: Under general supervision of a Cardiology Supervisor, technician serves as a Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph) responsible for all technical aspects of state-of-the-art electrocardiograph (ECG) testing. Operates and monitors the performance of computerized ECG equipment used in the performance of a variety of specialized, complex, non-invasive cardiac procedures. Preferred knowledges and skills to operate the specific instrument and its accessory devices. Must know the technical aspects of the instrument well enough to deliver the prescribed examination or treatment. They are responsible for routine and standard diagnostic or treatment procedures, patient instructions, and instrument cleaning and maintenance. Technicians must understand the technical aspects of the equipment used as well as the physiological reactions of the patient once the examination or treatment begins. They decide how to adapt the instrument to the patient based on information gained through previous experience, observation, and results. They have responsibility to provide diagnostic or treatment services to acutely ill patients. This requires that they adjust the instruments or select procedures based on patients' physical condition, respond to emergencies and sometimes make recommendations to physicians based on observation of patients' response. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 MARCH 17, 2006 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07

Education

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Gary Byles
• Phone: 919-286-0411 X4949
• Email: [email protected]