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The incumbent works in the cardiology section of Specialty Care Services at Truman VA. Operating Medical Diagnostic Equipment. Duties include; Exercise tolerance test system (Treadmill), MUSE Cardiology Storage Systems, Ambulatory Monitory System (King of Hearts & Holter monitors), Holter/Event Scanner. 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. 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. Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable English Language Proficiency Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. 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 andmeet the criteria). Preferred Experience: 3 plus year professional experience with a current certification in EKG as well as a current BLS certification. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (EKG): GS-4 (Basic Developmental Level): Possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-3) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of Medical Instrument Technician Electrocardiograph (EKG). Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment of Electrocardiograph (EKG). Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR, Education: Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): - Knowledge of basic medical terminology. - Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. - Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. - Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. - Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Assignment at this level: At this level assignments are trainee in nature. Performs limited routine assignments of a developmental nature under close supervision. GS-5 (Basic Developmental Level): Possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-4) 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 Medical Instrument Technician Electrocardiograph (EKG). This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization of Electrocardiograph (EKG), for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR, Education. Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) occupation, or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): - Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. - Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. - Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. - Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. - Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. Assignment at this level: At this level assignments are trainee in nature. Operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routing procedures under normal supervision. Functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures under closer supervision. GS-6: Possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of Medical Instrument Technician, Electrocardiograph (EKG). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): - 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. - Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests. - Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment. - Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action. - Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing. Assignment at this level: Receives and interpret physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments; explain the procedure to the patients; document the patient's record; indepentently perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions; operate, 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 (Full Performance Level): Possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of Medical Instrument Technician, Electrocardiograph (EKG). AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): - 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 amputation, Parkinson's disease, structural defects, and scar tissue. - Ability to act as a mentor or preceptors to lower graded technicians. - Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation. Assignment at this level: Operate and monitors electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. Evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 & 15, PART II, APPENDIX G27 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-4 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: The majority of the work is sedentary, but can involve walking, pushing, bending, standing, moderate lifting and carrying light items such as books, files and supplies as needed. ["Duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent independently performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures, and related examinations, including applying ambulatory monitoring devices, scanning Holter tapes/disks, event monitor strips and editing EKG, Holter, and treadmill reports. The incumbent utilizes the exercise tolerance testing system, as well as operates diagnostic medical equipment as a part of treatment of the patient and supports registered nurses and physician's equipment. Receives request and/or consults for procedures. Instructs patient pre-procedure to ensure patient understanding and cooperation with preparation and during procedures. Independently explains various procedures including need for positions on table or treadmill, monitoring equipment, adverse reactions to stressing agents. Explains requirements for accurate monitoring and necessity of diary entries. Answers questions by patient and or family members. Performs Medical Instrument Technician work with stress test specialty. This requires experience in operating, supervising the operation of the instructing in the operation of specialized equipment related to the specialization of the position. Performs MIT work with Holter/Event Monitoring specialty. This specialty area requires experience in applying, operating, and instructing in Holter and Event Monitoring equipment. These duties include complying of data, revising reports, completing reports for physician review and scheduling patients for application and removal of monitors. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authroized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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