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. 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".
NOTE: 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
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 Determination: Medical Instrument Technician-EKG, GS-9
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which provided knowledge of advanced specialized procedures, the pharmacology related to this occupation, and knowledge of related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on organs and methods of treatment. (
GS-08 experience: Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level perform complicated examinations or treatments for which there are no standard instructions or procedures. They utilize knowledge of anatomy and physiology including an in depth understanding of the functioning of the major systems and internal organs to interpret requests and to recognize the need for additional tests or a different position. Knowledge of pharmacology including the classification and administration of drugs, patient responses, and common dosages as related to this specialty is required. The technician has the ability to perform Signal Averaged ECG, Tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the GS-08 following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk:
- Knowledge of pharmacology related to specialized procedures.
- Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians.
- Knowledge of a variety of related acute disorders and diseases, their effects on organs, and methods of treatment.
- Ability to perform more complex procedures such as SAECG (Signal Averaged ECG), Tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring.
- *Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
- *Ability to manage and supervise employees.
Medical Instrument Technician-EKG, GS-9 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
- Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques such as SAECG, ETT, Tilt table monitoring, electrophysiology monitoring, and event monitoring in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to develop analysis interpretation formats, and to receive inquiries concerning results.
- Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
- Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
- Ability to manage and supervise employees.
Preferred Experience: Experience with holter and extended cardiac monitoring to include interpretation and compiling of reports, as well as maintenance, placing, removing, and patient interactions. ETT experience is required as well.
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-09.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to or over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.