Summary The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is seeking a full time Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) for the Acute Care patient care units in Nursing Service. The incumbent provides cardiac monitoring and patient care duties within the Acute Care setting under the supervision of the Registered Nurse. Responsibilities The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: The MIT/Monitor Watcher will provide continuous monitoring of cardiac rate, rhythm, and patterns of conduction at a monitoring station. The MIT/Monitor Watcher measures, prints, and interprets rhythms at designated intervals and as needed. Recognizes and reports changes in a patient's rhythm that are outside the established parameters. The MIT/Monitor Watcher promptly reacts and validates alarm conditions for each patient. Monitors patient's vital signs and response to treatment throughout a procedure. Recognizes life-threatening situations and notifies the Registered Nurse while simultaneously initiating emergency procedures. The MIT/Monitor Watcher maintains patient confidentiality and rights at all times. The MIT /Monitor Watcher demonstrates skills in the operation of and monitoring of EKG monitoring systems. Monitors patient rhythm and determines proper alarm settings after verifying with the Registered Nurse (RN). Monitors for abnormal cardiac rhythms and understands that emergency medical treatment may be needed for such rhythms. Recognizes and reports changes in rhythms to the RN. Demonstrates knowledge of what default alarm settings are and makes adjustments based on RN guidance. The MIT/Monitor Wachter demonstrates how to measure EKG strips, including the PRI, QRS duration, QT, and rate using a minimum of a 6 second strip. Verbalizes the need to ensure patient is admitted and placed on a cardiac monitor as soon as they arrive on the unit. Demonstrates how to attach cardiac monitor to patient once they arrive on the unit and verbalizes the need to ensure the patient is admitted and placed on a cardiac monitor as soon as they arrive on the floor. The MIT/Monitor Watcher obtains, measures, and interprets rhythm strip within the first 30 minutes of patient's arrival to the unit. Marks the date and time that the strip was obtained along with initials and documents rhythm strip. Verbalizes the need to repeat this procedure with any rhythm changes. Obtains and analyzes rhythm strips within 30 minutes of each four (4) hours and as needed with change in patient rhythm. Demonstrates how to admit and discharge patients in the EKG monitoring system. Incumbent is responsible for the maintenance of accurate documentation, as well as computer data input for all information gathered to formulate a permanent Work Schedule: Evening/night position, details to be discussed at time of interview Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92632-0, 92633-0 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. You must pass a pre-employment medical evaluation. 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 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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: Medical Instrument Technician (EKG), GS-7 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade (GS-06) level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures, and typical readings including arrhythmias and abnormalities. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of typical patient reactions and signs of distress including the ability to recognize, report and treat potentially lethal arrhythmias. Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures. 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. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. Ability to conduct in-service training on the EKG equipment and related instrumentation. 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. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. They monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear, when to repeat certain procedures, when to stop test procedures, and when to get the immediate attention of a physician. They evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results. This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination. They edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician. Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a Telemetry monitor watcher is required. References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, G27 Physical Requirements: The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to help move equipment, transfer and position patients, and perform delicate manipulations as needed to obtain accurate and complete studies. Work is in a clinical cardiac non-invasive laboratory on general patient floors and in intensive care unit environments as required to obtain ECG studies on a all patients. Radioisotopes may be present for nuclear studies during exercise. Nuclear medicine personnel will assist in all studies involving radioisotopes. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will wear a radiation badge. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. 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.
