Medical Machine Technician is employed in the EKG Laboratory, Cardiology Section, Medical Service and works under the supervision of the supervisor/technician of noninvasive lab. This would be experience which provided knowledge of equipment (EKG, Holter, Treadmill), Standard tests and procedures (EKG, Exercise and pharmacologic stress test and Holter monitoring).

Duties

Duties may be performed in the EKG lab, clinics, wads, intensive care units, Operating room, Nuclear Medicine and CLC. The technician is trained and responsible for performing routine EKGs and is trained and responsible for performing routine treadmills, pharmacological stress tests such as IV dobutamine myocardial stress testing and Lexiscan stress testing. Technician sets up for several types of IV infusions, including the variable pressure volumetric pump, cannulation, crash cart, defibrillator, emergency medications, etc., connects patient to blood pressure and pulse monitoring machines and monitors as directed. Technician is trained to hook up two different Holter monitoring systems and scanning of holter tapes and is responsible for preparation of computerized-generated reports. Technician hooks up and instructs patient for the use of arrhythmia monitors. Technicians must be proficient in recognizing dangerous arrhythmias while scanning and notifying appropriate personnel. Technician must have knowledge of basic EKG and recognizing of arrhythmias. Technician must have Knowledge of common equipment (EKG, Treadmill, Holter) settings and knowledge of common errors and corrective such errors. Technician must have the ability to modify procedure or patient position. Technician must have the ability to train lower GS EKG Technicians and conduct in-service. Technician must ensure that cardiac data is of diagnostic quality, must recognize electrical or other interference for connection, must recognize the difference between a normal and grossly abnormal EKG especially cardiac arrhythmias and inform physician before patient leaves the section, must respond ASAP to STAT EKGs when ordered by physician, must be responsible for cleaning and maintaining equipment as needed to produce high-quality data and recognizes mechanical defects and notifies supervisor tech. Technicians must be proficient in skin preparation and accurate in lead placement to successfully attain quality readings of various tests such as stress tests, EKGs and holter hook up. Technician must observe established decontamination procedures for equipment used in the operation room and isolation areas, procedures established in the special care units, i.e., CCU/SICU, etc., and safety precautions in all areas. Technician must be trained in the art of CPR in event of cardiac arrest and know how to call Code Blue. If patient's condition deteriorates during testing, but there is no arrest, technician must notify proper personnel and call Met Code. Work Schedule: 7:45am to 4:30pm Monday - Friday. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):

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. GS-6 (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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 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. (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. (d) Assignment. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level receive and interpret physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments; explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; document the patient's record; independently perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions; and operate, calibrate, and clean and/or sterilize commonly used equipment. Assignments at this level require knowledge of standard medical terminology as well as common diseases and their specific affects. 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 32 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. 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: Preferred Experience: One year of experience, experience in EKG and Stress testing (Treadmills, Lexiscan) Holter Monitoring as well as BLS Required and ACLS preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 7. Physical Requirements: Must be able to pass a TB test.

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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: David Masterson
• Phone: 540-982-2463 X2503
• Email: [email protected]