Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Veterans Health Administration • Fort Wayne, IN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT)–Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician/Monitor Watcher is a clinical and technical specialist who provides cardiac monitoring and indirect patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The role requires proficiency in EKG monitoring, assessment, evaluation, age-appropriate care, and documentation, as well as interpersonal, organizational, technological, and leadership skills.

The technician continuously monitors cardiac rates, rhythms, and conduction patterns in the telemetry room; measures, prints, and interprets rhythms at designated intervals and as needed; validates alarms; and reports changes outside established parameters. The technician monitors vital signs and responses to treatment during procedures, recognizes life-threatening situations, notifies the Registered Nurse, and initiates emergency procedures. Responsibilities also include admitting and discharging patients in the monitoring system, maintaining accurate records and computer data, preserving and labeling rhythm samples, and entering them into the medical record with appropriate comments. The technician uses computerized software to enter, analyze, store, and retrieve data and recognizes abnormal readings or conditions that may produce erroneous results. Patient-care deviations are reported to the RN. Work is observed and reviewed by the Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse for safety, accuracy, completeness, and adherence to guidelines.

The position requires extended periods of sitting and sustained attention to monitors and alarms, visual acuity, hearing alarms, and the ability to move rapidly when needed. The incumbent must use proper body mechanics and adapt to changes in assignments and tour rotations as patient-care needs change. The work schedule is full-time, 12-hour shifts from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., with rotating weekends. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-07, with selection possible at GS-04 through GS-07. Preferred experience is two years of telemetry experience.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation.
• Submit to pre-employment urinalysis if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• For GS-04: at least one year of qualifying experience comparable to the next lower grade, including six months in a medically related field and six months operating relevant diagnostic or therapeutic equipment; alternatively, two years of post-high-school education or an associate degree in a directly related field.
• For GS-05: at least one year of qualifying experience comparable to the next lower grade operating equipment related to the specialty or related functional areas; alternatively, four academic years of post-high-school education leading to a related bachelor’s degree or an appropriate bachelor’s degree.
• For GS-06: at least one year of qualifying experience comparable to the next lower grade and the stated knowledge and abilities, including recognizing special patient needs, knowledge of Holter monitoring equipment, following universal precautions and CDC cleaning guidelines, monitoring adverse reactions, and performing routine specialized procedures including exercise stress testing.
• For GS-07: at least one year of qualifying experience comparable to the next lower grade, including knowledge of equipment, standard tests and procedures, typical readings, arrhythmias, and abnormalities, and the stated abilities to recognize and report potentially lethal arrhythmias, address equipment errors, modify procedures for complicating conditions, mentor lower-graded technicians, and conduct equipment training.
• Ability to sit for the majority of a shift and maintain attention to alarms; perform CPR if needed; coordinate mental and muscular activity rapidly; and meet visual, hearing, speech, and manual dexterity requirements.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on patient needs, and remain flexible and sensible.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of telemetry experience.
• Licensure or certification is not required but is strongly desirable at GS-06 or above as evidence of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Continuously monitor patients’ cardiac rates, rhythms, and conduction patterns in the telemetry room.
• Measure, print, and interpret cardiac rhythms at designated intervals and as needed.
• Recognize and report rhythm changes outside established parameters; promptly validate alarm conditions.
• Monitor patients’ vital signs and responses to treatment during procedures.
• Recognize life-threatening situations, notify the Registered Nurse, and initiate emergency procedures.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and protect patient rights.
• Admit and discharge patients within the monitoring system.
• Maintain accurate documentation and enter EKG information into the computer and medical record.
• Preserve rhythm samples at regular intervals; label and measure rhythms and enter them into the medical record with appropriate comments.
• Use computerized software to enter, analyze, store, and retrieve data.
• Detect abnormal or changing rates, rhythms, and conduction patterns from rhythm displays, computer-triggered alarms, and computer memory.
• Carry out EKG monitoring and address assignment problems or deviations in line with training and accepted practices, with minimal RN supervision or assistance.
• Use judgment and initiative when selecting default alarm settings and recognizing conditions that cause erroneous results.
• Report patient-care deviations to the Registered Nurse.
• Maintain critical skills, use duty time constructively, take responsibility for unassigned work, and adapt to changing assignments and tour rotations.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Perform CPR functions if needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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