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
• 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-6 - Medical Instrument Technician (EKG): (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
• GS-7 - Medical Instrument Technician (EKG): (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 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: At least two years of telemetry experience required
• certification preferred
• Must have experience with EKG interpretation, as well as experience working with ambulatory cardiac monitoring devices
• 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 in the range of GS-6 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.