Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) - Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician/(Monitor Watcher) is a clinical/technical specialist who provides cardiac monitoring and patient care duties under the supervision of the Registered Nurse. The MIT/Monitor Watcher will be responsible for indirect patient care. Clinical skills and proficiency are required for EKG monitoring, assessment, evaluation, age-appropriate care, and documentation. The MIT/Monitor Watcher is responsible for the maintenance of critical skills including, but not limited to, interpersonal, organizational, technological, and leadership. MIT/Monitor Watchers are expected to show initiative by assuming responsibility for unassigned work and utilize duty time constructively.

The MIT/Monitor Watcher will provide continuous monitoring of cardiac rate, rhythm, and patterns of conduction with the telemetry room. The MIT/Monitor Watcher measures, prints, and interprets rhythms at designated intervals and as needed. Recognizes and reports changes in a patient's rhythm that are outside the established parameters. The MIT/Monitor Watcher promptly reacts and validates alarm conditions for each patient. Monitors patient's vital signs and response to treatment throughout a procedure. Recognizes life threatening situations and notifies the Registered Nurse while simultaneously initiating emergency procedures. The MIT/Monitor Watcher always maintains patient confidentiality and patient rights.

Demonstrates how to admit and discharge patients within monitoring system. Incumbent is responsible for the maintenance of accurate documentation, as well as computer data input for all information gathered to formulate a permanent record of the EKG. They will preserve rhythm samples at regular intervals, label, and measure rhythms, then enter them into the medical record with appropriate comments on the documentation. The MIT/Monitor Watcher will detect abnormal or changing rate, rhythm, or patterns of conduction directly from the oscilloscopic rhythm display, from computer triggered alarms, or computer memory. Demonstrates the ability to use computerized software to enter data which can be properly analyzed and stored for subsequent retrieval.

The incumbent carries out patient care duties that include EKG monitoring, handles problems and deviations in the work assignment in line with previous training and accepted practices with minimal RN supervision and/or assistance. The incumbent uses judgment and initiative that include selecting default alarm settings and recognizing conditions that cause erroneous results. Any deviations in patient care is reported to the RN. The work is observed, reviewed, and evaluated by the Nurse Manger or Charge Nurse for safe performance, accuracy, and completeness and conformity to guidelines. Review will be accomplished by random checks and concurrent observations completed by the Nurse Manger and reviewed with the employee.

The work requires, at various intervals, long periods of sitting to monitor patients and/or EKG monitors. The incumbent must be able to visualize monitors, various equipment, and computer screens, remain alert and astute in monitoring EKG rhythms for long periods of time. This involves good visual acuity necessary to see EKG rhythms, ability to hear alarms, and rapid changes in position and movement. The incumbent demonstrates proper body mechanics and accepts change in assignments and rotation of tours as patient care requirements change.

Work Schedule: Full time 12 hour shifts 5pm-5:30am rotating weekends
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 93147A, 93148A, 92591A, 92592A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 identification 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

• Grandfathering Provision. 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). The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation.

Grade Determinations:

GS-04.
(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 position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

OR,

1. Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used.
3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress.
4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing

(c) Assignments. At this level assignments are trainee in nature. The medical instrument technician trainee is performing limited routine assignments of a developmental nature under close supervision.

GS-05.
(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 position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
OR,
(b) Education. Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.
2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.
3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.
4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.
5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine.

GS-06.
(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:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicating medical conditions 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. Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment.
3. Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action.
4. Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing.

GS-07.
(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:

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.

Preferred Experience: 2 years of telemetry 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-04 to GS-07.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to sit for majority of shift and maintain attention to alarms. Must be able to physically perform CPR functions if needed. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable, far vision correctable. Both eyes required. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The monitor tech must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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.

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

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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