Medical Instrument Technician

Summary The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is hiring for the position of Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) - Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician/"Monitor Watcher". The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) - Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician/(Monitor Watcher) is a clinical/technical specialist who provides cardiac monitoring and patient care duties under the supervision of the Registered Nurse. The MIT/Monitor Watcher will be responsible for direct and indirect patient care. Responsibilities Major Duties: The MIT/Monitor Watcher will provide continuous monitoring of cardiac rate, rhythm, and patterns of conduction at a monitoring station. The MIT/Monitor Watcher measures, prints, and interprets rhythms at designated intervals and as needed. Recognizes and reports changes in a patient's rhythm that are outside the established parameters. The MIT/Monitor Watcher promptly reacts and validates alarm conditions for each patient. Monitors patient's vital signs and response to treatment throughout a procedure. Recognizes life threatening situations and notifies the Registered Nurse while simultaneously initiating emergency procedures. The MIT/Monitor Watcher maintains patient confidentiality and rights at all times. The MIT/Monitor Watcher demonstrates skills in the operation of and monitoring of EKG monitoring systems. Monitors patient rhythm and determines proper alarm settings after verifying with the Registered Nurse (RN). Monitors for abnormal cardiac rhythms and understands that emergency medical treatment may be needed for such rhythms. Recognizes and reports changes in rhythms to the RN. Demonstrates knowledge of what default alarm setting are and makes adjustments based on RN guidance. The MIT/Monitor Wachter demonstrates how to measure EKG strips, including the PRI, QRS duration, QT, and rate using a minimum of a 6 second strip. Verbalizes the need to ensure patient is admitted and placed on a cardiac monitor as soon as they arrive on the unit. Demonstrates how to attach cardiac monitor to patient once they arrive on the unit and verbalizes the need to ensure the patient is admitted and placed on a cardiac monitor as soon as they arrive on the floor. Maintains Equipment and Supplies-The MIT/Monitor Watcher demonstrates knowledge of what supplies or equipment is needed, prepares set-up and utilizes aseptic technique at all times to assist with and carry out procedures. In collaboration with BioMedical Engineering personnel, troubleshoots, and identifies potential equipment malfunction. Maintains cleanliness of the station equipment and work area. Work Schedule: Various eight hour shifts, including; 7:30am-4:00pm, 3:30pm-11:00pm, and 11:30pm-8:00am. All shifts include every other weekend shifts. Will be discussed further during Interview Process. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement : 91206-A; 91207-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 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. 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 required. NOTE: For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, per VA Handbook 5005, Qualification Standards. 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).In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the Grade level requirements listed below. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-6 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated 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 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. Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. Assignment. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level 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. GS-7 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias. 2. Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures. 3. 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. 4. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. 5. Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation. 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. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. They 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. They evaluate 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. They edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27 - Appendix E (applicants would not be expected to perform all duties listed in appendix D/E such as monitoring tests (example . click apply for full job details