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This position serves as a Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) in Patient Care Service within the VA Health Care System at the Fort Wayne Campus. The Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph Technician) operates instruments used to record electrocardiograms. Operating Medical Diagnostic Equipment. Duties include; Exercise tolerance test system (Treadmill), MUSE Cardiology Storage Systems, Ambulatory Monitory System (King of Hearts & Holter monitors), Holter/Event Scanner. 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. Physical Requirements. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.)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. Electrocardiograph Technicians (EKG) operate instruments used to record electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, 24-48 heart monitoring and scanning, and pacemaker evaluations. Certification is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT). 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 required. NOTE: For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, per VA Handbook 5005, Qualification Standards. GS-6: Possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of Medical Instrument Technician, Electrocardiograph (EKG). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):- 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.- 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.- Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action.- Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing. Assignment at this level: Receives and interpret physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments; explain the procedure to the patients; document the patient's record; independently perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions; operate, and clean and/or sterilize commonly used equipment. Assignments at this level require knowledge of standard medical terminology as well as common diseases and their specific affects. GS-7 (Full Performance Level): Possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of Medical Instrument Technician, Electrocardiograph (EKG). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):- Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias.- Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures.- Ability to modify procedures/positions to obtain the correct results with patients with complicating conditions such as amputation, Parkinson's disease, structural defects, and scar tissue.- Ability to act as a mentor or preceptors to lower graded technicians.- Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation. Assignment at this level: Operate and monitors electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. Evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments. Monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear, when to repeat certain procedures, when to stop test procedures, and when to get the immediate attention of a physician. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 & 15, PART II, APPENDIX G27 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: The majority of the work is sedentary, but can involve walking, pushing, bending, standing, moderate lifting and carrying light items such as books, files and supplies as needed. ["Duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent independently performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures, and related examinations, including applying ambulatory monitoring devices, scanning Holter tapes/disks, event monitor strips and editing EKG, Holter, and treadmill reports. The incumbent utilizes the exercise tolerance testing system, as well as operates diagnostic medical equipment as a part of treatment of the patient and supports registered nurses and physician's equipment. Receives request and/or consults for procedures. Instructs patient pre-procedure to ensure patient understanding and cooperation with preparation and during procedures. Independently explains various procedures including need for positions on table or treadmill, monitoring equipment, adverse reactions to stressing agents. Explains requirements for accurate monitoring and necessity of diary entries. Answers questions by patient and or family members. Performs Medical Instrument Technician work with stress test specialty. This requires experience in operating, supervising the operation of the instructing in the operation of specialized equipment related to the specialization of the position. Performs MIT work with Holter/Event Monitoring specialty. This specialty area requires experience in applying, operating, and instructing in Holter and Event Monitoring equipment. These duties include complying of data, revising reports, completing reports for physician review and scheduling patients for application and removal of monitors. Work Schedule: Various-12 hour Compressed/Alternate Shifts- Floats between 5:00 am - 5:30 pm and 5:00 pm - 5:30 am or 5:00 pm - 5:30 am am (Subject to change depending on the needs of the agency). Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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