Medical Instrument Technician (MIT)-Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician/ Monitor Watcher

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-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.

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.

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).

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the Grade level requirements listed below. GRADE REQUIREMENTS : GS-6 Experience.

At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) 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 : 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.

Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification.

• Assignment. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level receive and interpret physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and / or treatments;
• explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; document the patient's record; independently perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions;

and operate, calibrate, 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 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) 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 : 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.

Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications.

Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients.

They 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.

They evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results.

This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination. They edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician.

References : VA Handbook 5005 / 15, Part II, Appendix G27 - Appendix E (applicants would not be expected to perform all duties listed in appendix D / E such as monitoring tests (example, treadmills) 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 work requires, at various intervals, long periods of sitting to monitor patients and / or EKG monitors.

The incumbent must be able to visualize monitors, various equipment, and computer screens. The incumbent must be able to remain alert and astute in monitoring EKG rhythms for long periods of time.

This involves good visual acuity necessary to see EKG rhythms, ability to hear alarms, and rapid changes in position and movement.

The incumbent demonstrates proper body mechanics and accepts change in assignments and rotation of tours as patient care requirements change.