Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) Job in Cincinnati, OH

Vacancy No. CBSR-12727145-25-JS Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $52,039.00 to $67,654.00 Grade 7 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/23/2025 Close Date 5/1/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Cincinnati, OH


Summary

The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is seeking a qualified Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) in our Specialty Care Unit. If you are interested in a career that offers professional/work life balance in a supportive clinical learning environment, providing integrated patient-centered, state-of-the-art care to Veterans, we welcome you to apply to be part of the Cincinnati VA team!

Bargaining Unit Position

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public. If you are internal to Cincinnati VA please apply to this announcement: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/835704100

Duties

The major duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) position will include:

Stress Test:
1. Assist in performance of exercise treadmill and pharmacologic stress tests.
2. He/s he will inform patients about the protocol for exercise or pharmacologic stress testing,
3. Carefully prepare the patient's skin and apply electrodes to eliminate interference.
4. Monitor blood pressure accurately and rapidly before, during, and after exercise or pharmacologic stress, and observe the ECG for changes in rate or rhythm that would require modifications in the test protocol or the discontinuation of the procedure.
5. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will operate computerized ECG acquisition equipment. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will monitor patients for exercise tolerance where appropriate and assist in determining when exercise must be terminated.
6. Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be prepared to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency and must be competent to initiate basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation if needed.

Holter Monitor:
I. Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall prepare patients for holter monitoring. This includes patient teaching, skin preparation and application of electrodes and acquiring a standardized baseline.
2. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall be able to scan (read) holter tapes using an automated, computerized reading station and prepare standardized arrhythmia summaries for reading by the physician.
3. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care.

Cardiac Event Monitor:
I. The technician shall instruct patients in the use and application of cardiac event monitors.
2. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will instruct patients on methods of telephone transmittal and receive telephone transmittal of arrhythmia recordings from patients.
3. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care.
4. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be capable of recognizing malignant arrhythmias and significant abnormalities such as ischemia and infarction patterns.

EKG:
1. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall record routine and emergent 12 lead electrocardiograms on both outpatients and hospitalized patients.
2. The technician shall also make appropriate lead placements, e.g., Lewis leads to locate atrial activity, where these are appropriate, whether or not his referring physician has ordered them. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall be able to download recorded ECGs to a computerized ECG data management system (GE, MUSE).
3. The technician shall also assist in EKG monito ring during tilt testing and pharmacological interventions and be prepared to warn the physician immediately of any untoward drug effects.

Other Duties:1. The technician shall instruct residents, fellows, and medical students in how to perform non-invasive procedures and basic interpretation of tests.2. The technician shall maintain all equipment in good working order and make minor repairs and adjustments as needed. Any malfunction will be reported immediately to the biomedical engineering or his/her designee.3. The technician will be able to orient new nursing personnel when there are questions about operation of equipment.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm
Telework: Not eligible.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 91248-A
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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. 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.
  • 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.
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:GS-7, Medical Instrument Technician (EKG).

(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, GS-6, 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, re port 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, G27

Physical Requirements: The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)must be able to help move equipment, transfer and position patients, and perform delicate manipulations as needed to obtain accurate and complete studies. Work is in a clinical cardiac non-invasive laboratory on general patient floors and in intensive care unit environments as required to obtain ECG studies on a all patients. Radioisotopes may be present for nuclear studies during exercise. Nuclear medicine personnel will assist in all studies involving radioisotopes. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will wear a radiation badge.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
1. Knowledge of the operation, adjustment and routine servicing of a wide array of computerized ECG equipment is required. This includes the proper procedure for obtaining the routine portion of each examination.
2. Knowledge of electrocardiography interpretation is required. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must recognize significant arrhythmias on holter and event monitors, during stress tests or routine EKGs, and to take appropriate action.
3. Knowledge of the proper technique for obtaining blood pressures during exercise is essential for accurate data acquisition and patient safety.
4. Knowledge of various electrocardiography lead placements, including Lewis leads to locate atrial activity, right sided chest leads and proper lea d placement for Holter and event monitoring is required. Knowledge of the EKG patterns requiring further elaboration by special lead placement is needed.
5. Knowledge of pacemaker function to obtain proper electrocardiograms for complete analysis.
6. Clinical judgement is essential since tests may be long and fatiguing to the patient. The technician must be aware of clinical changes and must be prepared to discontinue or modify a test when it is appropriate.
7. The technician must understand the underlying theory and basic interpretation of the tests he/she performs. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) shall instruct residents, fellows. and medical students in testing procedures and basic interpretation.
8. The technician must be fully trained in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

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/.

Additional information

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, Ohio and Fort Thomas, Kentucky serving 15 counties in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. Cincinnati VAMC has two off-main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division, as well as an onsite Community Living Center.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • A detailed Resume/CV - 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information and any other applicable information as described below. 2) Education - school, degree, year degree earned. 3) License information - license number, state license in, license received date, expiration date. 4) Descriptions of jobs held including the name and address of the employer, job title, detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); beginning and ending date (month and year) of employment. 5) At least 3 references.

The above document is required for your application package to be complete.

- Additional documents to consider including with your application:

  • SF 50 - Notification of Personnel Action - If you are a current, permanent federal employee or an employee of the Veterans Health Administration, you must upload your most recent SF 50 if you want credit for being a current employee. Current, permanent federal employees and employees of the Veterans Health Administration will get preferential consideration. If you are a former federal government employee, please upload your last SF 50.
  • Please note - Award SF 50s are not acceptable.
  • DD 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty - If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214. The form MUST show character of discharge. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf).
  • Copy of a dated letter from a VA Regional Office that shows percentage of disability - If prior military and you have service-connected disability.
  • Properly completed OPM's Standard Form 15, Application for 10 Point Preference - If prior military and you have a service-connected disability. Link to form - http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.

Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING:

  • Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc.
  • Our office cannot be held responsible if you disqualify yourself while answering the assessment questionnaire.
  • Encrypted documents will not be accepted.
  • Do not upload any photographs of yourself, applications will be disqualified.
  • Resumes emailed or dropped off to the Human Resources Department will not be accepted.
  • Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
  • We will not make assumptions regarding your qualifications or experience. Your resume should be very detailed, and all required documents provided to verify you meet all of the qualifications of the position.
  • No one will be reaching out to you to get clarification on any of the questions you answered in the assessment. Any documents you upload should support your answers.
  • No one will be reaching out to you to get clarification on any of the documents you did or did not upload. Upload all the necessary documents when you apply.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/01/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12727145.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Jessica Schwarz
Address
Cincinnati VA Medical Center
3200 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45220
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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