Health Technician -Telemetry - Acute Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Monitor Technician will be assigned to the Patient Care Service Line, working under the Nurse Manager. This role provides continuous cardiac surveillance, interprets telemetry tracings, and reports findings for timely intervention.

Responsibilities include monitoring alarms, documenting rhythm strips, assisting with patient care tasks, and communicating needs to nursing staff. 24/7 rotating schedules apply; not a virtual position.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in patient monitoring and care.
• Ability to interpret telemetry data and report changes to RN/Charge Nurse.
• Experience assisting with routine patient care activities and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform continuous monitoring and analysis of cardiac rate and rhythm on telemetry patients.
• Notify staff of abnormal or life-threatening rhythms and alarms.
• Assist with daily patient care tasks while protecting patient privacy.
• Document baseline rhythms on admission and during changes in condition.
• Communicate patient needs to the assigned RN or Charge Nurse.
• Participate in hand-off communications to oncoming staff.

Skills

Telemetry monitoring

Patient care assistance

Vital signs measurement

Communication with nursing staff

Job description

Summary

The incumbent will be assigned to work in the Patient Care Service Line under the direct supervision of the Nurse Manager. The Monitor Technician provides continuous cardiac surveillance - interpretation and reporting of monitor and telemetry tracing of patients within Patient Care Services. The Monitor Technician is expected to recognize changes in patient's condition and be astute in assessing the need for intervention which may be of an emergent nature requiring immediate attention.

Summary

The incumbent will be assigned to work in the Patient Care Service Line under the direct supervision of the Nurse Manager. The Monitor Technician provides continuous cardiac surveillance - interpretation and reporting of monitor and telemetry tracing of patients within Patient Care Services. The Monitor Technician is expected to recognize changes in patient's condition and be astute in assessing the need for intervention which may be of an emergent nature requiring immediate attention.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 10/19/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: Assisting RN with patient care as directed - Providing direct patient observation - Assisting with transfer and ambulation of patients - Answering call lights and if unable to independently assist - communicates patients' needs to assigned RN or Charge Nurse - Measuring and recording blood pressure - respirations - oral and axillary temperature - weight - and pulse. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs continuous monitoring and analysis of cardiac rate - rhythm - and patterns of conduction on telemetry patients through the use of approved telemetry monitoring system Detects abnormal or changing rate - rhythm - and patterns of conduction on telemetry patients through the use of approved telemetry monitoring system Monitor for non-invasive blood pressure and continuous pulse oximetry (SP02) alarm events Promptly validates/invalidates alarm conditions Establishes and maintains morphologically suitable and noise free EKG signal Detects need for lead changes by observing accuracy of computer diagnosis and noting clarity of EKG signal at console oscilloscope Preserves an analyzed six second strip every 8 hours and as needed for rhythm changes Notifies appropriate personnel of monitor/major/life threatening cardiac rhythm disturbance Sets alarm limits per policy Admit/Discharge patients in computer arrhythmia system Documents - on admission to telemetry - and analyzed baseline rhythm strip Marks monitors with patients location when they are temporarily taken off of the monitor (i.e
• medical procedures) Gives verbal requests to nursing staff regarding patient EKG rhythm Completes hand-off communication to oncoming MT
• Performs or assists RN with personal care such as body and oral hygiene - dressing/undressing - and toileting/elimination ensuring patient privacy at all times
• Answers call lights and if unable to independently assist - communicates patients' needs to assigned RN or Charge Nurse
• Change line on occupied and unoccupied beds
• Measure and record vital signs in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
• Measure and empty urine output from urinary catheters
• Collect and sends routine urine - stool and sputum specimens
• Obtain nasal cultures for MRSA upon admissions - discharge and transfers
• Perform venipuncture - draw labs - and obtain blood cultures labels and sends specimens to lab
• Perform bladder scans to identify the volume of urine retained in bladder and notified RN or provider of results
• Cleans dirty reusable medical equipment and properly identifies equipment as cleaned
• Reviews for expired stocks and supplies - and restocks in areas such as specialty carts - blanket warmer - treatment rooms and clean utility rooms
• Preferred Experience: 6 months nursing aid - patient care technician - HCT - telemetry experience
• Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory - qualification - and performance requirements are met
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level
• Work Schedule: Rotating Tours covering 24/7
• Tours of duty consist of 8 hour and 12 hour shifts Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Health Technician -Telemetry - Acute Care/PD646-01700A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized