Qualifications

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"
• Note: 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-6 - Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG): Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5*) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• *Examples of duties at the GS-5 include but are not limited to: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instruction
• 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• NOTE: Certification
• No certification is required
• however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification
• GS-7 - Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG): Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6*) 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
• *Examples of duties at the GS-5 include but are mot limited to: 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
• receive and interpret physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments
• explain the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation
• document the patient's record
• independently perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions
• and operate, calibrate, 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• 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
• NOTE: Certification
• No certification is required
• however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification
• Preferred Experience: Two years of Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) experience
• 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 a GS-6 to GS-7. Physical Requirements: This position requires a combination of sitting, standing, and occasional crouching or kneeling, with regular and recurring heavy lifting (35 lbs
• and over) and patient positioning while maintaining balance
• Physical endurance and tolerance are essential for 8- to 12-hour shifts
• The incumbent must continuously monitor computer screens and telemetry equipment, necessitating strong manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and keen vision and hearing
• Monitor Technicians must be able to remain alert and astute in monitoring EKG rhythms for long periods of time
• must be emotionally and mentally stable.