This position is located within Medical Service, Boise VA Medical Center, Boise, Idaho. This position provides support to the Cardiovascular lab under Cardiology. 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. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-5 level. 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 Electrocardiograph Technicians (EKG) operate instruments used to record electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance stress tests, cardiac ambulatory monitoring and scanning, and pacemaker evaluations. Certification is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT). Grade Determinations GS-5 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. OR, 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Exhibits knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as familiarity with health care field. 3. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 4. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine cardiac procedures and to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 5. Ability to prepare, clean, and operate EKG equipment to perform electrocardiogram exams. 6. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on medical equipment including the ability to prepare, clean, operate, and trouble-shoot or place work order for help from Biomed or IT&S. Grade Determinations GS-6 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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. Possesses knowledge of non-invasive cardiac exams, including stress tests, electrocardiogram (EKG) exams, and the full range of non-invasive ambulatory cardiac monitoring 3. Knowledge and ability to prepare the use of specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to perform cardiac ambulatory monitoring. 4. Knowledge and ability to prepare, clean and operate specialized equipment needed to perform non-invasive stress testing exams. 5. Develops and maintains expertise in the use, understanding, and care of regularly used equipment as well as new equipment. 6. Ability to monitor the patient and identity for adverse reactions. Appropriately notify provider and take appropriate action. Grade Determinations GS-7 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) below: 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 conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation. 5. Ability to train and mentor lower grade EKG technicians, health technicians and nurses. Assigns specific tasks based on learning needs and assessment. 6. Provides education, guidance, and oversight of all non-invasive cardiology equipment and procedures. 7. Superuser for cardiac storage database and cardiac monitor vendor database. Works with bio-medical engineering to troubleshoot issues that present. 8. Ability to remain clear-headed and calm in high-stress and fast-paced work environment. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 Physical Requirements: Work is active; position requires moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); moving; operating and handling equipment; assisting patients with standing and transfers; standing and/or sitting for prolonged periods of time. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to shades of colors; Hearing aid permitted; Emotional & mental stability. Environmental Factors: Excessive noise, intermittent; Working around machinery with moving parts; Working closely with others; Working alone. ["Responsible for tracking supply inventory in storage and ensuring all supplies are adequately stocked in patient care rooms. Performs the exams listed above and be able to recognize adverse reactions or critical findings and immediately alert a provider and provide assistance per policies and procedures of the department. Ensures mandated code crash cart testing is performed, arranges for supply exchange before expiration. Reviews EKG orders. Educates patients, uses correct lead placement, and performs electrocardiograms (EKG). Completes editing of EKG exam in cardiac storage database and assigns to interpreting physician. Reviews EKG cart location and ensures EKGs are downloaded. Triage/Receives Cardiac monitor consults, reviews for best scenario schedule / mailed cardiac monitors. Educate patients on the cardiac monitor application process and/or use the appropriate process to place cardiac ambulatory monitors. Interacts and communicates as a liaison between cardiac monitoring vendor, and patient to ensure diagnostic results are obtained, proper education and assistance provided, and to ensure proper in-house inventory of equipment. Reviews cardiac monitor vendor database and imports cardiac monitor reports from cardiac monitor vendor to electronic medical record. Triage/Receives Treadmill stress test consults, reviews for appropriate EKG, ability, and medication review. Educates, setups and assists the patient and provider with exercise stress treadmill procedures. Provides support to provider performing exercise stress testing by documentation of any patient vitals collected, documentation of symptoms, and provide other assistance as needed. Completes editing of Stress test exam in cardiac storage database and assigns to interpreting physician. Audits exam cardiac storage database system for EKG, stress and cardiac monitor and notifies interpreting physicians of any outstanding, uninterpreted exams. Ensure all consults are completed. Finalize encounters with appropriate interpretation, diagnosis and code based on facility guidelines. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0730-1600 Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
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