Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities * This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 27, 2024. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be March 28, 2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. * Receives and interprets physician's requests for diagnostic procedures and/or treatments Explains the procedure to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation Documents the patient's record Perform standardized testing monitoring the patient for adverse reactions Operates, calibrates, and cleans and/or sterilizes commonly used equipment Has intimate knowledge of standard medical terminology as well as common diseases and their specific affects Operates 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 Monitors 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 Evaluates test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results. This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination Edits and selects an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician Coordinates and schedules appointments and diagnostic procedures with patients prior to their clinic visits for general Cardiology, Arrhythmia, and Heart Failure/Transplant services Recognizes special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicating medical conditions to prepare and position the patient for the prescribed procedure Has knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests Has knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment Monitors the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action Operates the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing Has knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias Has knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures Modifies procedures/positions to obtain the correct results with patients with complicating conditions such as amputations, Parkinson's disease, structural defects, and scar tissue Acts as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians Conducts in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30AM to 4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 53196-O, 53197-O, 53198-O, 53199-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Michael.Campbell6@va.gov or Joshua.Titensor@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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 & written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on March 17, 2006 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series & grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to March 17, 2006 may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status & must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation Grade Determinations: GS-4: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, & other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields (ie. nursing assistant, practical nursing). The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic & therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR Education: Successful completion of 2 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, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: Knowledge of basic medical terminology Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, & settings of the equipment to be used Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved & ability to recognize signs of distress Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted Ability to communicate orally & in writing GS-5: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-4 which demonstrates the KSA's & other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization 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 occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSA's): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions Knowledge of common physical disabilities & ability to position patients for the examination or treatment Ability to learn the normal & abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize & 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, & calibrate the machine GS-6: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-5 which demonstrates the KSA's & other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, & complicating medical conditions in order to prepare & position the patient for the prescribed procedure Knowledge of the specialized equipment & accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring & ability to perform such tests Knowledge of universal precautions & sterilization techniques & ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions & take appropriate action Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard & routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. GS-7: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-6 level which demonstrates the KSA's & other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the equipment, standard tests & procedures, & typical readings including arrhythmias & abnormalities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of typical patient reactions & signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report & treat potentially lethal arrhythmias Knowledge of common equipment settings & standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors & 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, & scar tissue Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment & related instrumentation Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) & ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications Preferred Experience: Experience with EKG, rhythms, & clinical patient exposure References: VA Handbook 5005/15, 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 position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, & turning. Requires restraining confused patients, repositioning patients, assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers/cars, & transporting them to other departments or facilities. Mechanical devices available & are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. Work may involve pushing or lifting weight more than 50 pounds & going up & down stairs. May be exposed to infected patients & contaminated materials & may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Requires visual acuity, good hearing, distinctive speech, & manual dexterity. Requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level with neck in a fully flexed or extended position & the ability to physically control or protect his/herself from physically abusive patients. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.