Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph Technician-EKG)

Summary

The Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) Medical Instrument Technician (MIT-EKG) provides technical and clinical support to Veterans with cardiac implantable electronic devices - including pacemakers - implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) - internal loop recorders (IRLs ) - and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. The Technician performs many device interrogations/evaluations/assists with troubleshooting and programming adjustments - among other tasks.

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 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• GS-9 Experience: You must have one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level - GS-8 - which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• Electrocardiography technicians at the GS-8 level (EKG) 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
• GS-8 Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the one year of experience - you must be able to demonstrate the following KSAs at the full performance level: 1
• Knowledge of pharmacology related to specialized procedures
• 2
• Ability to provide briefings and orientations to hospital staff including physicians
• 3
• Knowledge of a variety of related acute disorders and diseases - their effects on organs - and methods of treatment
• 4
• Ability to perform more complex procedures such as SAECG (Signal Averaged ECG) - Tilt table monitoring - electrophysiology monitoring - and event monitoring
• *5
• Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• *6
• Ability to manage and supervise employees
• AND GS-9 Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition - the candidate must be able to demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1
• 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
• *2
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• 3
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• *4
• Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• *5
• Ability to manage and supervise employees
• Certification
• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly 30 desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable
• Assignments
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease while pushing an Echo Machine
• The incumbent must be able to stand for up to 8-10 hours while providing patient care
• The incumbent must be able to lift up to 20 pounds of equipment - supplies and records
• The incumbent must be able to manipulate the probes during the procedure - pushing against the patient's chest to obtain the appropriate images
• Additionally - the incumbent will be required to transport patients on stretchers - beds and wheelchairs
• There is the potential for extended periods of sitting at computer terminals
• The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties.
  
  

Duties

• Interprets device diagnostic data and exercises advanced clinical judgment to identify abnormal findings - device malfunctions - and clinically significant arrhythmias requiring provider notification or urgent intervention
• Acts as a technical authority within the device clinic - providing guidance to lower-level technicians and assisting in developing clinic protocols - workflow improvements - and technical standards for cardiac device monitoring services
• Performs device interrogations for pacemakers - implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) - internal loop recorders (IRLs) - and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices using manufacturer-specific programmers and VA-approved platforms
• Obtains - verifies - trends - and analyzes device parameters - including battery status - lead integrity - sensing and pacing thresholds - lead impedance - arrhythmia episodes - therapies delivered - pacing burden - and diagnostic data
• Recognizes urgent or life-threatening findings and promptly escalates concerns to the responsible cardiology provider following established clinical protocols
• Assists providers during clinic visits and inpatient consultations by preparing equipment - collecting device-related patient histories and interval events - and ensuring the completion of required documentation and orders
• Supports ambulatory monitoring workflows and integrates device data with clinical workflows to facilitate timely provider review and appropriate follow-up care
• Maintains accurate - complete - and timely documentation in the electronic health record - including device interrogation reports - programming adjustments performed under provider guidance - and patient records
• education - and follow-up recommendations
• Track device follow-up intervals - remote monitoring enrollment status - and overdue transmissions
• Initiate patient outreach and coordinate scheduling to reduce lapses in monitoring and maintain continuity of care
• Keep clinic logs - workload data - and performance reports in line with VA documentation standards and local service expectations
• Assist with managing daily CIED clinic workflow to ensure timely device interrogations - remote review - documentation - and follow-up scheduling
• Work with cardiology diagnostic teams - electrophysiology providers - nursing staff - and administrative personnel to support smooth clinic operations and quality patient care
• Participate in quality assurance and performance improvement activities related to CIED follow-up programs - device clinic workflows - and remote monitoring processes
• Assist in developing - reviewing - and implementing local policies - procedures - and protocols that govern CIED clinic operations - remote monitoring management - and escalation of urgent findings
• Support equipment and supply management for the device clinic - including device programmers - monitoring equipment - and related supplies
• Identify equipment issues or replacement needs and coordinate repairs or maintenance through appropriate VA channels
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing clinic efficiency - patient safety - documentation compliance - and quality of care
• Provide patient education about implanted cardiac devices - remote monitoring procedures - equipment use - and expectations for clinic communication and follow-up
• Serve as a mentor and technical resource for lower-graded technicians and staff as assigned
• Offer training and in-service education on device interrogation equipment - remote monitoring systems - electrocardiographic procedures - and clinic workflows
• Other duties as assigned/stated in functional statement Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 7:30 am until 4 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 71403-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized