Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures, and related examinations, such as applying ambulatory monitoring devices, scanning Holter tapes/disks, event monitor strips and editing EKG, Holter, and treadmill reports. Utilizes MUSE cardiology storage system. Operates diagnostic medical equipment as a part of treatment of patient, supports register nurses and physicians.

Functions of the Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) position includes, but is not limited to:

• Initiates, interprets, and discontinues telemetry monitoring.
• Recognizes and reports telemetry rhythms outside prescribed parameters.
• Maintains and ensures cleanliness of telemetry equipment.
• Maintains records related to telemetry activities.
• Trouble shoots malfunctions of telemetry equipment in conjunction with biomedical engineering service.
• Provides customer service while answering phone in regards to telemetry issues.
• Collects telemetry data and compiles data for reports regarding telemetry functions.
• The employee will be assigned to the central telemetry monitoring unit working a rotating tour of duty.
• Responsibilities include cardiac monitoring and direct and indirect patient care for an adult and/or geriatric male and female patient populations.
• The employee will be responsible for the development and demonstration of increasing skills in the performance of variety of tasks.
• Provides assistance of a technical, specialized, or support nature to health and medical personnel in the diagnosis or treatment of patients with cardiac conditions.

Work Schedule: Various Tours of Duty 7:30am - 8p.m. , (6) 12 hr. shifts and (1) 8 hr. shift per pay period. Rotating weekends and holidays. Subject to change to meet the needs of the agency.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• 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. 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".

Grade Determinations:

Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG), GS-06

(a) 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 following KSAs:

(b) 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.

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


Preferred Experience:

• Minimum 1-year telemetry experience.
• It is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Telemetry Certified.
• Experience assisting patients with disabilities, impaired mobility, or complicating medical conditions, including preparing and positions patients for prescribed procedures.
• Experience using specialized equipment and accessories for remote telemetry.
• Experience applying universal precautions, sterilization techniques, and CDC guidelines when cleaning equipment.
• Experience monitoring patients for adverse reactions and taking appropriate action.
• Experience operating specialized equipment to perform standard and routine procedures.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.PART II APPENDIX G27The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 6.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 6.

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.
• 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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 examination.
• 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.