Medical Instrument Technician; EKG

Overview

This position provides cardiac telemetry and oximetry monitoring for inpatients under the Critical and Procedural Care section of Patient Care Services at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) Seattle Division. The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is responsible for remote cardiac and pulse oximetry monitoring utilizing specialized equipment to monitor patients.

• Promotes safety and redundant processes and monitors compliance
• Provides input to policy or procedure changes or development
• Acts as a mentor or preceptor to other technicians
• Trains new employees on telemetry and EKG/ECG machines
• Trains and validates competency of telemetry staff or others as directed in ECG/EKG and telemetry applications
• Maintains Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) with the understanding that ACLS is desirable or recommended
• Responsible for telemetry monitoring of patients remotely utilizing specialized cardiac telemetry and pulse oximetry monitoring equipment
• Identifies cardiac rhythm changes and life-threatening or abnormal rhythms and pulse oximetry changes
• Operates telemetry equipment for admitting, discharging, and tracking patients to ensure correct identification
• Reviews patient information to determine heart rhythm patterns, prior variances, and current pathology
• Monitors patients via telemetry to detect, record, and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns/dysrhythmias, abnormal ECG intervals, and pacemaker/implantable defibrillator function
• Notifies appropriate personnel of changes in rhythm status
• Informs nursing or physician staff of potentially life-threatening rhythm changes and pacemaker/implantable defibrillator malfunction
• Facilitates correct placement of telemetry chest leads for accurate rhythm analysis
• Determines technical factors, sets telemetry parameters according to physician orders/SOP, and operates essential equipment
• Orders and maintains specialized supplies used for telemetry monitoring
• Documents pertinent observations in the computerized patient record system
• Observes patients undergoing long-term epilepsy monitoring using approved video equipment
• Looks for gross motor/seizure-like movements and alerts nursing staff
• Uses approved medical devices, procedures, policies, and evidence-based practice in carrying out duties
• Applies judgment in selecting and adapting telemetry application techniques and materials as indicated
• Provides customer service; answers patient calls and relays information to care providers; greets and assists visitors and patients
• Communicates in a polite, professional, courteous manner
• Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation per Medical Center policy and supports other emergency procedures as necessary
• Performs safe body mechanics

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Education:
  
  There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation; education may be substituted for experience at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels; see grade determinations for information on substitutions
• Licensure or Certification:
  Not required for this occupation, however it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above; basic and advanced cardiac life support certifications are desirable for all specialties
• Training:
  Certification of training that results in official certification is required; grandfathering provision may apply for current VHA employees

• Grade Determinations
• GS-4:
  Experience or Education with KSAs including knowledge of medical terminology, ability to learn equipment, recognize signs of distress, and learn standard positions
• GS-5:
  Experience or Education demonstrating knowledge of standard medical terminology, patient positioning, reading results, operating equipment, maintaining equipment
• GS-6: EKG experience with KSAs including recognizing special patient needs, knowledge of Holter monitoring, CDC guidelines, ability to monitor for adverse reactions, and ability to perform specialized procedures
• GS-7: EKG experience with KSAs including recognizing lethal arrhythmias, modifying procedures for complicating conditions, mentoring, and conducting in-service training; BCLS and ACLS certifications may be desirable

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/

• Physical Requirements
  :
  Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over), straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, repeated bending, near vision, color vision, hearing; environmental factors include working with hands in water
• Notes
  :
  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected ranges from GS-4 to GS-8.