Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT): Electrocardiogram (EKG)/Stress works in the Cardiology Department to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise testing, electrocardiograms, ambulatory monitoring of possible arrhythmias, vital signs machine, and other non-invasive cardiopulmonary exam(s) items as necessary. This position operates at full performance level.

• EKG Testing: The duties of the MIT EKG include managing EKG tracings from the MUSE EKG system, correcting frontline user errors in the MUSE, processing and assigning EKGs to providers and supporting/managing the EKG machines located throughout the medical center and community based outpatient clinics.
  • Performs 12 Lead EKGs using proper lead placement to obtain accurate diagnostic tracings on exams.
  • Processes EKG tracings obtained and transmitted from Inpatient and Outpatient areas, clinics, correcting demographic errors, editing multiples, blanks and assigning tracings to Cardiologists (based on a schedule) day of service (admin days/hours)
  • Able to instruct others in the performance of 12-lead electrocardiograms. Must be familiar with common technical problems which require adjustment to the EKG equipment to ensure satisfactory quality tracing and recognizes machine malfunction and able to make appropriate adjustment and minor repairs.
  • Able to assist with editing and processing routine tracings.
  • Alerting providers to critical findings when appropriate.
  • Troubleshooting transmission, equipment and end-user issues throughout the Medical Center.
  • Manage workload to provide timely EKGs to patients.
• Arrhythmia Monitoring:
  • Correct application of short-term patch technology that records two-weeks of cardiac rhythm data, the associated patch registration for reporting, managing the arrhythmia/event monitoring consult.
  • Assigning physicians for reading/interpretation and ensuring the correct attachment of final reports to the consult
  • Handle patient inquiries and issues as it pertains to short-term monitoring
  • Accurate documentation in the electronic medical record to include device information, patient education and workload per unit protocol.
  • Enter clinic data, review consults, process consults within 24 business hours of placement, and work with scheduling staff to complete appointments daily
• Exercise Testing and Monitoring:
  • Support in consult triage to review for duplication/ appropriateness by review of consult, patient medical record, and reason for request to send to provider triage.
  • Completes pre-testing phone calls to ensure patient is aware of instructions to include medication management and diet.
  • The stress test is performed with continuous EKG (electrocardiograph) monitoring. The technician applies the leads to the patient and operates the equipment.
  • Provides support to during exercise stress testing by providing patient education, documentation of collect vital signs and data collected, operation of treadmill and noted equipment, documentation of symptoms, and provide other assistance as needed.
  • Inserts IV access as per facility policy and documents access in the appropriate note in CPRS
• Equipment Operation, Repair, Maintenance
  • The incumbent is knowledgeable in the use of equipment to ensure safe accurate testing. They ensure all equipment is kept clean and safe for use in diagnostic exams, and request preventive maintenance, as needed. The incumbent can perform routine maintenance, recognize and report malfunctioning equipment needs, and work with Biomedical Engineering Services for repair.
  • Uses proper infection control policies when performing duties. Demonstrates compliance with all infection control practices, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), precautions (as needed), hand hygiene, and facility reusable medical equipment policies (RME).
  • Operates all equipment to collect data as ordered with the ability to adjust as needed per patient's presentation of physical or physiological variations
• Safety
  • Uses proper infection control when preforming duties. Demonstrates compliance with all infection control practices, including use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene, and following reusable medical equipment (RME) polices.
  • Maintains safe, orderly work areas.
  • Reports any accident to self or patient and completes proper documentation.
  • Follows Life Safety Management (fire protection) procedures. Reports safety hazards, accidents, and injuries. Reviews hazardous materials, SDS, waste management, and recycling process. Follows emergency preparedness plan. Follows security policies/procedures. Complies with federal/state, and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources.
  • Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (hand washing, universal precautions, and isolation procedures.)
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English

Grade Determinations:

• Medical Instrument Technician EKG, GS-07 level
  • 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
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
    • 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 amputations, Parkinson's disease, structural defects, and scar tissue.
    • Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians.
    • Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a Medical Instrument Technician on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. Employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
2. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
3. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
4. Medical Instrument Technicians who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
5. Medical Instrument Technicians initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

NOTE: If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

References: VA Handbook 5005/13 Part II Appendix G27, March 17, 2006.

Preferred Experience: None

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-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 level.

Physical Requirements: This position involves walking, frequent bending, reaching and stretching to assemble, set up, and take apart equipment. The incumbent also carries, pulls, and pushes moderately heavy objects, such as equipment and supplies. Above average dexterity is required.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.