Summary The Health Technician (Monitor Tech) position is located in the Intensive Care Unit of the Medical VA Care Line at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The incumbent aid and assist ICU nursing staff in providing quality care for the Veteran patients. The incumbents provide 24-hour 7-day coverage performing cardiac monitoring of patients on the Unit. In addition, the incumbents perform patient care support functions. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to: The Health Technician (Monitor) performs cardiac monitoring duties utilizing monitoring equipment in the Intensive Care Unit. Programs the monitor with specific parameters for the patients and investigates equipment malfunctions. They observe the cardiac rhythm of patients monitored on telemetry and of patients in the ICU. The incumbent identifies normal sinus rhythm and recognizes dysrhythmia and reports changes in the rate and/or rhythm to the RN caring for the patient. They collect rhythm strips and documents atrial and ventricular rate, PR and QRS Intervals, and regularity on each rhythm strip and placed in the patient's medical record. Edits, summarizes, and documents patient's cardiac activity every shift and gives verbal report to shift charge nurse and relief cardiac monitor tech. Instructs patients on the purpose and use of monitoring equipment. The Health Technician (Monitor) performs a range of diagnostic support duties that include labeling and transporting and/or retrieving specimens from the lab. The incumbents perform 12 lead EKGs, interpret results within their scope of practice, and bring changes to the attention of the charge nurse of physician on duty. Makes observation of patient's condition and reports changes to the appropriate staff. Assists in transferring patients. Anticipates and obtains equipment and supplies needed for monitoring/procedures to facilitate efficient services to patients. Connects patients to blood pressure monitor, oximeter, and o2. Maintains medication rooms to include performing inventory and re-ordering frequently used items, restock needles and syringes, enter medication orders into the computer system, and put away stock when received. As directed, assists in postmortem care to include disconnecting patient from monitors and other equipment, bag up and label patients' personal items, and assist in transferring patient to morgue. The incumbent maintains equipment and supplies. They check for defects and requests repair of cables, monitors, md transmitters. The incumbent replenishes supplies and restocks storage areas and bedside units. Ensures cleanliness of equipment. The incumbent participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment. Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, adheres to infection control policies, and utilized proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. The Health Technician (Monitor) participates in the Unit's Quality Improvement Program by collecting data specific to cardiac monitoring, i.e., validation of alarms, rhythm interpretations, etc. Assists with data analysis and interpretation as requested. Performs other duties as assigned. Preferred Experience: Cardiac Monitoring Work Schedule: Nights, 6A ICU. (full time six 12s one 8, every other weekend and holidays) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 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 dentification 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 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 probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/29/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: data entry to include entering specimens into computer, collecting patient specimens, answering questions relative to patient specimens, instructing and assisting patients in specimen collection, performs routine repetitive diagnostic tests and procedures such as venipuncture collection of blood specimens, adhering to safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times while drawing blood or performing tests, preparing and packaging specimens for shipment, ensuring/verifying correct labeling, patient identification, and appropriate storage temperature. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-06 level. Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required if the education or internship was directly related to the work of the position. Transcripts are required if you're using education as a substitute for specialized experience. OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-06 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-06. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Clerical Clinical Data Collection/Documentation Computer Skills Patient Care Technical Competence Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019 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/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
