Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) Job in Milwaukee, WI

Vacancy No. CAZP-12730693-25-DK Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $47,018.00 to $67,926.00 Grade 6 to 7
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/28/2025 Close Date 5/9/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Milwaukee, WI


Summary

This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is organizationally aligned within the Emergency Department. The position functions as a non-licensed member of the nursing care team in the Emergency Department and combines the responsibility and selected aspects of a productive team member carrying out and ensuring quality and timely delivery of care.




This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Current permanent employees of the Milwaukee VAMC, including CBOCs and VCS employees.

Duties

Major Duties:

  • Interprets cardiac rhythms, heart rate and arrhythmias and communicates them to the appropriate staff promptly.
  • Reports all changes in heart rate/rhythm to appropriate nursing staff via verbal or phone communications.
  • Monitors patient's rhythm and records strips per unit standard
  • Monitors invasive and non-invasive waveforms (including but not limited to telemetry, pulse oximetry, end-tidal CO2, central venous pressure, arterial line readings, etc.) - demonstrates competence in waveform knowledge and calls appropriate staff promptly for changes in waveform quality, monitoring values, etc.
  • Applies various monitoring equipment, i.e., blood pressure, pulse oximetry and ECG
  • Performs routine and STAT procedures such as bedside ECGs
  • Assigns new telemetry patients in the monitor.
  • Cleans Tele equipment and wires as needed after admission/discharge/transfer.
  • Assesses equipment needs and maintains adequate stock of supplies and materials. Identifies equipment needing preventative maintenance or repair and takes appropriate action.
  • Prepares and processes semi-critical and non-critical Reusable Medical Equipment
  • (RME) in accordance with appropriate Standard Operating Procedures. Participates in RME competency completion and RME audits.
  • Able to troubleshoot problems with monitoring equipment.
  • Maintains nursing unit assignments, phone numbers, and adjusts throughout the shift as needed
  • Performs duties with full understanding of related age-specific factors.
  • Orients and mentors new staff members.
  • Reports and receives shift report, both verbally and on written handoff.
  • Research patient's chart for significant history: pacer, AICD, arrhythmias, diagnosis and pertinence for rhythm disturbances, doctors' orders for monitoring parameters.
  • Ensures work area and equipment are clean.
  • Actively participates in Performance and Quality Improvement initiatives to include collecting data and conducting audits.
  • Monitors alarm trends, collaborates with unit leadership and develops action plans to reduce alarm fatigue.
  • Performs patient transfers for patients on portable ECG monitors, as appropriate.
  • Performs direct patient care tasks including obtaining vital signs, completing activities of daily living, patient ambulation, blood glucose readings, l&O documentation, etc.
  • Other tasks as designated appropriate by nurse manager or designee
  • Maintains competencies as required
Work Schedule: Variable
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00081F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • 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).

Qualifications


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, this part.
Preferred Experience:
  • BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications are desirable
  • Emergency Department experience preferred
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Telemetry training
GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

GS-6 Experience: At least one (1) year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of a Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph).
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to recognize special patient needs such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicating medical conditions in order to prepare and position the patient for the prescribed procedure;
2. Knowledge of the specialized equipment and accessories appropriate to Holter monitoring and ability to perform such tests;
3. Knowledge of universal precautions and sterilization techniques and ability to follow CDC guidelines in cleaning equipment;
4. Ability to monitor the patient for adverse reactions and take appropriate action;
5. Ability to operate the equipment to perform standard and routine highly specialized procedures including exercise stress testing.

GS-7 Experience: At least one (1) year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of a Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph). This would be experience which provide knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures, and typical readings including arrhythmias and abnormalities.
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.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-7.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infectious patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative to secondary delirium, dementia or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be mature, flexible, sensible individual capable to working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action



The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

  • Cover Letter
  • Other (1)
  • Resume
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/09/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12730693.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Trisha Juanez
Address
Clement J Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center
5000 West National Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53295
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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