Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Veterans Administration (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS seeks a Telemetry Monitor Technician to oversee real-time cardiac monitoring, interpret rhythms, and escalate critical events. The role emphasizes collaboration with clinical staff to ensure patient safety and accurate documentation of events.

Applicants may be considered while completing requirements; final hiring will occur once all prerequisites are met. Experience with EKG equipment and a strong knowledge of arrhythmias are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience monitoring multiple patients on telemetry systems.
• Ability to recognize and respond to complex arrhythmias.
• Capable of documenting rhythm strips and events accurately.

Responsibilities

• Continuously monitor patients using telemetry systems.
• Interpret rhythms and escalate critical findings promptly.
• Troubleshoot telemetry equipment and maintain signal quality.
• Document cardiac events accurately and timely.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to ensure patient safety.

Skills

Telemetry monitoring

Rhythm interpretation

Alarm prioritization

Equipment troubleshooting

Documentation of events

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Tools

Telemetry equipment

Job description

The MIT (EKG) Telemetry Monitor Technician is responsible for continuous cardiac monitoring of patients using telemetry systems. Duties include real-time observation and interpretation of cardiac rhythms, prompt identification and escalation of arrhythmias, maintenance and troubleshooting of telemetry equipment, accurate documentation of cardiac events, and collaboration with clinical staff to support patient safety. 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.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
• Education: Education can only be substituted for experience only at the GS-5 level.

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 - Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Experience

At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Examples of specialized experience include: Independently monitoring multiple patients on telemetry systems and prioritizing alarms based on clinical urgency. Advanced knowledge of cardiac rhythms, including the ability to recognize complex and potentially lethal arrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, heart blocks) and initiate immediate notification protocols. Ability to analyze rhythm strips for accuracy and ensure proper lead placement and signal quality. Skill in troubleshooting telemetry equipment, minimizing artifact, and ensuring continuous monitoring integrity. Ability to educate and support clinical staff on telemetry monitoring practices, equipment use, and rhythm interpretation. Ability to serve as a preceptor or mentor to lower-graded technicians and assist with on-the-job training. Ability to participate in or conduct in-service training related to telemetry systems, cardiac monitoring, and patient safety.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

Preferred Experience

• Skill in interpreting and monitoring cardiac rhythms, heart rate, arrhythmias, and promptly communicating changes to clinical staff.
• Ability to accurately document rhythm strips, 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.
• Solid direct patient care skills (e.g., transport with monitoring, basic ADL support) and customer service with diverse veteran populations.
• Preferred ability to maintain BLS/ACLS and ongoing competency in ECG/arrhythmia interpretation.

Certification

No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 7

Physical Requirements

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, pushing, and reaching over head. The incumbent must be able to stand and move for extended periods of time