Serves as Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) in Patient Care Service. S/he works at a two-divisional teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Kentucky (UK) Medical Center at the VA Medical Center, Lexington, KY. The affiliation with UK is active and has representation of all major clinical specialties/subspecialties. UK and VAMC have an extensive number of shared research studies and projects which creates an increasing emphasis on privacy and information security of research data.

Duties

The Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph/Telemetry) is a member of the Acute Care unit team in Patient Care Services. The clinical/technical specialist provides cardiac monitoring and directed patient care under the supervision of the RN. Responsible for the monitoring, interpreting, assessment, and evaluation of the patient receiving care in the inpatient setting. Functions independently to operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment for continuous telemetry rhythm evaluation and interpretation. Remotely monitors the continuous cardiac rhythms for up to 50 patients under the direction of the RN and medical providers. Interprets cardiac rhythms and identifies lethal arrhythmias immediately notifies appropriate team members of the urgency and requests further assessment of the patient. Must have basic knowledge and understanding of each patient's specific medical history and make adjustments to the equipment parameters and settings to accomplish best monitoring function. Will have basic knowledge of pharmacology and the effects on cardiac rhythms that require customized adjustments to alarm parameters and monitoring functions. Responsible for training new employees, patients, technicians and RNs, throughout the medical center on continuous telemetry, and 12Lead EKGs. Have basic knowledge of the telemetry equipment and monitor data, proper storage and cleaning of the equipment. Must complete annual telemetry tests at a passing rate of at least 90%. Work Schedule: Various Tours of Duty to include evenings, nights and weekends Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)/PD30402-F and PD30403-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: 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. 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) Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications. 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: Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) For GS-6: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5 level) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. Interpret physician orders or instructions. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. Perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; document the patient's record. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests. Knowledge ofuniversal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment. Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action. Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing. For GS-7: Applicants applying under this announcement must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level, Medical Instrument Technician (EKG). Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to specialized procedures such as 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following: 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. Preferred Experience: 1) Experience in Basic Rhythm strip interpretation, Phlebotomy, EKG acquisition, and FSG monitoring. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting and Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling, Pushing, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Keyboarding, Viewing computer screen (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands and legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and Emotional/Mental stability

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Armani Scott
• Phone: 407-222-6719
• Email: [email protected]