Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Veterans Health Administration • Los Angeles, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) Telemetry Monitor Technician continuously monitors patients’ cardiac rhythms using telemetry systems. The technician independently performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures, uses the MUSE storage system, interprets and documents cardiac rhythms, identifies changes or arrhythmias, and promptly communicates concerns to appropriate clinical staff. The role also includes obtaining 12-lead EKGs, supporting stress testing, maintaining and troubleshooting equipment, documenting cardiac events, and collaborating with clinical staff to support patient safety.

The position is full performance level GS-7. The work schedule is 0730–2000, Monday through Friday, with possible weekends. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Telework and virtual work are not available. The position requires a pre-employment physical evaluation and may require extended periods of standing and movement, along with other physical activities. It is a permanent, excepted-service position with a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience comparable to GS-6 demonstrating knowledge and skills related to the position.
• Experience independently monitoring multiple patients on telemetry and prioritizing alarms according to clinical urgency.
• Advanced knowledge of cardiac rhythms, including recognition of complex and potentially lethal arrhythmias and immediate notification procedures.
• Ability to analyze rhythm strips and ensure appropriate lead placement and signal quality.
• Skill in troubleshooting telemetry equipment, minimizing artifact, and maintaining continuous monitoring.
• Ability to educate and support clinical staff on telemetry practices, equipment, and rhythm interpretation.
• Ability to mentor or precept lower-graded technicians and participate in or conduct related in-service training.
• Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress, including recognition, reporting, and treatment of potentially lethal arrhythmias.
• Knowledge of common equipment settings, standardized procedures, errors, and corrective measures.
• Ability to modify procedures or positioning to obtain correct results for patients with complicating conditions.
• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to walk, stand, stoop, sit, bend, pull, push, and reach overhead for potentially long periods, and to stand and move for extended periods.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation; comply with applicable drug-testing, background/security, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification is desirable.
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification is desirable.
• Experience interpreting and monitoring cardiac rhythms, heart rates, and arrhythmias and promptly communicating changes to clinical staff.
• Ability to document rhythm strips accurately, calculate PR/QT/QRS/ST values, and maintain complete telemetry reports and logs.
• Proficiency with telemetry and EKG equipment, including applying leads, troubleshooting malfunctions, cleaning devices, and coordinating with BioMed as needed.
• Competence in 12-lead EKGs, exercise tolerance tests, Holter monitoring, pacemaker evaluations, and seizure/EMU monitoring when required.
• Strong verbal handoff and teamwork skills, including mentoring new staff, participating in interdisciplinary care, and initiating rapid response processes per SOP.
• Direct patient care skills such as transport with monitoring and basic ADL support, and customer service with diverse veteran populations.
• Ability to maintain BLS/ACLS and ongoing competency in ECG/arrhythmia interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform electrocardiograph procedures and use the MUSE storage system.
• Receive and interpret procedure requests, consulting as needed to determine whether the requested procedure is appropriate for the patient’s ability to perform it.
• Monitor and interpret cardiac rhythms, heart rates, and arrhythmias, and promptly report changes to appropriate nursing or clinical staff verbally or by phone.
• Recognize irregular and potentially lethal cardiac rhythms and initiate notification according to applicable procedures.
• Interpret and document new cardiac rhythm strips after procedures or testing during which the patient was off telemetry.
• Obtain 12-lead EKGs.
• Apply, operate, and instruct others in the use of stress-test equipment; collect data, revise reports, and complete reports for physician review.
• Record when telemetry is removed and reapplied.
• Provide verbal and written shift reports and conduct handoffs when monitoring responsibility changes.
• Maintain clean work areas and equipment.
• Perform duties with consideration of age-specific factors.
• Troubleshoot telemetry and EKG equipment and support continuous monitoring integrity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to the stated conditions.
• Child care subsidy potentially available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed