Qualifications

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 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"
• 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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified Electrocardiograph Technicians (EKG) operate instruments used to record electrocardiograms and analyze cardiac rhythms
• Certification is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)
• GS-6 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 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 cardiac 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 cardiac rhythm analysis
• GS7 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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1
• Knowledge of typical patient reactions & signs of distress including the ability torecognize, report and treat potentially lethal rhythms
• 2
• Knowledge of the specialized equipment & accessories and settings appropriate to cardiac monitoring & ability to correct common errors and perform corrective measures
• 3
• Acts as a mentor/preceptor to lower grade technicians
• 4
• Ability to modify procedures/positions to obtain the correct results with patients with complicated/complex conditions such as amputations, Parkinson's disease, structural defects, and scar tissue
• 5
• Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques & ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment
• 6
• Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions & take appropriate action
• 7
• Provides in-service training on telemetry room equipment and related instrumentation
• 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 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The MIT must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.