Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) position is located at the John Cochran Division, VA St. Louis Health Care System, St. Louis, MO. The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) is a skilled technician who performs patient electrocardiograms and continuous observation of patient heart rhythms and oximetry via remote monitoring. The technician analyzes, interprets and documents cardiac activity and oximetry. Provides immediate notification of dangerous arrhythmias or alarm changes.

Duties

• The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) operates and monitors electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized monitoring of arrhythmias, oximetry and ECGs. 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 nurse or physician. They evaluate tracing 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 nurse or physician. Major duties and responsibilities of the position: Cardiac surveillance: Real-time monitoring of multiple patient heart rates, rhythms and oximetry using computerize monitoring systems. Interpretation: Identifying normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms and oximetry levels. Altering staff: Promptly communicating life-threating or significant changes to nurses and/or physician. Activates rapid response or emergency Code Blue. Equipment Maintenance: Prepare patient, applies electrodes, sets up monitoring equipment, troubleshooting issues, changing batteries, cleaning and inspecting leads and telemetry units. Documentation: Admits patients in the central computer system, meticulously records patient cardiac data in electronic heath record. Electrocardiograms: performs ECG, ensures transmission. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full Time. 8 hour tours, nights & evenings. Tours are subject to change based on the needs of the health care system. Recruitment Incentive (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) 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 Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.