Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Summary

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is looking for a Medical Instrument Technician (MIT} - Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician/(Monitor Watcher) who is a clinical/technical specialist that will provide 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. Clinical skills and proficiency are required for EKG monitoring, assessment, evaluation, age-appropriate care and documentation.

Duties

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties: Assists with providing training to all new MIT/Monitor Watcher staff on the duties of the position in accordance with instructions, policies, previous trainings, or accepted practices with EKG monitoring. Provides orientation to new staff and ongoing guidance in collaboration with the Registered Nurse. Recognizes and reports changes in rhythms to the RN. Provides continuous monitoring of cardiac rate, rhythm, and patterns of conduction at a monitoring station. Recognizes and reports changes in a patient's rhythm that are outside the established parameters. Maintains patient confidentiality and rights at all times. Recognizes life threatening situations and notifies the Registered Nurse while simultaneously initiating emergency procedures. 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. Demonstrates knowledge of what default alarm setting are and makes adjustments based on RN guidance. Demonstrates skill in operation of monitoring of various equipment, which includes cardiac monitors, 12 lead EKG machines, vital signs machines, pulse oximetry, and various other clinical equipment found in the Telemetry setting. 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. Obtains, measures, and interprets rhythm strip within the first 30 minutes of patient's arrival to the unit. Marks the date and time that the strip was obtained along with initials and documents rhythm strip. Verbalizes the need to repeat this procedure with any rhythm changes. Work Schedule: Tour 1: Shifts: 7:30 pm - 8:00 am and two 8 hour shifts, 11:30 pm- 8:00 am per week Tour 2: Mid shift: Two twelve hour shifts: 11:30 am - midnight and two 8 hour shifts, 3:30 pm - midnight per week. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92633-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized.

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". 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. 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-7 (a) Experience. 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 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: (b) 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. (c) Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification. (d) 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 arrhythmia