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
• Education: Education can only be substituted for experience only at the GS-5 level
• 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)
• Licensure or Certification: 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-6 - Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) 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
• Examples of specialized experience include: Ability to continuously monitor cardiac telemetry systems and accurately recognize and interpret basic cardiac rhythms and arrhythmias
• Knowledge of telemetry monitoring equipment, including bedside monitors and central monitoring stations, and the ability to troubleshoot common technical issues
• Ability to identify and promptly respond to cardiac rhythm changes, including life-threatening arrhythmias, and initiate appropriate notification or escalation procedures
• Knowledge of patient safety practices, including proper electrode placement, skin preparation, and infection control procedures in accordance with CDC guidelines
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation of cardiac rhythms, events, and interventions in patient records or monitoring systems
• Ability to communicate effectively with nursing staff and providers regarding changes in patient cardiac status
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-7 - Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) 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
• Examples of specialized experience include: Independently monitoring multiple patients on telemetry systems and prioritizing alarms based on clinical urgency
• Advanced knowledge of cardiac rhythms, including the ability to recognize complex and potentially lethal arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, heart blocks) and initiate immediate notification protocols
• Ability to analyze rhythm strips for accuracy and ensure proper lead placement and signal quality
• Skill in troubleshooting telemetry equipment, minimizing artifact, and ensuring continuous monitoring integrity
• Ability to educate and support clinical staff on telemetry monitoring practices, equipment use, and rhythm interpretation
• Ability to serve as a preceptor or mentor to lower-graded technicians and assist with on-the-job training
• Ability to participate in or conduct in-service training related to telemetry systems, cardiac monitoring, and patient safety
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• Preferred Experience: Cardiac telemetry monitoring and ECG interpretation (arrhythmias, rate/rhythm changes) Skilled with EKG/telemetry equipment setup, troubleshooting, and patient-specific adjustments Acute care/med-surg experience, including high-volume centralized telemetry monitoring Formal ECG/arrhythmia training with competency validation Experience training or mentoring staff on telemetry practices Recognizes emergencies and communicates quickly
• participates in code responses Proficient in clinical documentation and telemetry data management Performs 12-lead EKGs and ambulatory monitoring (Holter, etc.) Support: Reliable in fast-paced, 24/7 environments with flexible scheduling 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 7
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 6 to 7
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
• The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and reaching over head
• The incumbent must be able to stand and move for extended periods of time.