This Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician position is located at the Viera VA Community Clinic which is part of the Orlando VA Healthcare System. Assignments involve operating medical equipment or instruments in connection with a variety of procedures which requires a high degree of judgment. Technicians must be able to evaluate test results and patient responses to the extent of determining appropriate machine adjustments in selecting the methods and techniques that will yield the best results.

Duties

The Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician is required to recognize normal and abnormal heart patterns including acute infarction and determine appropriate techniques for best results. Must recognize evidence of cardiac emergencies, including acute infarction and serious arrhythmias, from tracings and take appropriate action including notification of the physician and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Functions of the Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) position includes, but is not limited to: Required to operate the EKG/CASE machine in coordination with treadmill equipment. Monitors for exercise tolerance with increased stress throughout the test. Accurately observes the patient's condition, making notation of vital signs and other diagnostic information in accordance with established practices and in response to physician's demands or changes in the patient's condition. Performs a crash cart check list prior to start of the clinic in accordance with medical center policy. Verifies that a consent for the performance of the test was obtained before a patient exam in initiated. Performs electrocardiogram and edit EKG's on the MUSE equipment. Performs a variety of procedures such as: setting up, monitoring, and calibrating EKG equipment. Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate records so that easy recall of patient examinations may be achieved. Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to lack of necessary equipment and supplies. Assures that all necessary reversal medication is readily available before an examination is initiated in the Nuclear stress lab. Makes daily patient reminder phone calls to review patient test preparation and scheduled arrival time. These encounters must also be recorded in the patient's electronic chart in accordance with Medical center policy. Reviews patients charts for the next scheduled business day to ensure an order is present for the exam. If there are any contra indications to stress testing the incumbent will discuss with APP or physician. Must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc telework available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 81835F, Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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, per VA Handbook 5005, Qualification Standards. 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). Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG), GS-06 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience at the next lower grade level, 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 of universal 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. Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG), 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience at the next lower grade level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Preferred Experience: 2 plus years of EKG experience 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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Nikki Merkes
• Phone: 727-398-6661 X64156
• Email: dominique.merkes@va.gov