Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties include but are not limited to:

The below are expected but not limited to roles of the telemetry technician. Other tasks as designed by nurse manager or designee may be assigned if they are within the scope of practice of a telemetry technician:

Telemetry Interpretation & Monitoring:

• Chart review for significant history; pacer, AICD, arrhythmias, diagnosis and pertinence for rhythm disturbances, primary provider's orders for monitoring parameters.
• Change alarm parameters per primary provider orders.
• Monitor, interpret, and record rhythms for patients on TELE units including (as applicable) PR, QT, QRS, ST accurately with calipers at time frames designated in the associated MCP or SOP. Routinely and PRN.
• Communicate to the appropriate staff if change in baseline rhythm or continuously monitored vitals outside of ordered parameters. Report and record all changes in heart rate/rhythm to appropriate nursing staff, via verbal or phone communications.
• Immediately report lethal and potentially lethal arrhythmias.
• Complete admission/discharge/ transfer procedures on the GE telemetry system PRN.
• Color code patient's monitor tracing to reflect their cardiac and resuscitation status: AFIB/Flutter, Pacemaker, CPO, DNR/DNI.

Equipment:

• Work closely with Biomed team to report and troubleshoot system maintenance issues.
• Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures.
• Knowledge of specialized equipment and accessories.
• Ensures work area and equipment is clean.

Education:

• 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.
• Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
• Collaborates on unit-based and hospital-wide continuous monitoring process workflow improvements.

Documentation:

• Maintain spread sheet recording tool for patient movement, shift events, and nursing communications. Leverage tool for shift report.

Communication:

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
• Reports and receives shift report, both verbally and on written report sheet.
• Communicates them to the appropriate staff if change in baseline rhythm. Report and record all changes in heart rate/rhythm to appropriate nursing staff, via verbal or phone communications. Records abnormal/irregular strips PRN.
• Escalates communication to charge nurse and/or primary provider if primary nurse is not available.
• Requests renewal of continuous monitoring orders to primary nurse or primary provider.
• May rotate and operate instruments used to record electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, 24-48 heart monitoring and scanning, and pacemaker evaluations, as needed. (Required for a GS 6).

Other related duties may be assigned.


Work Schedule: Varies, 3:30pm-12:00am, 11:30pm-8:00am; Schedule are set by the service and may change depending on the service's needs.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:GS0649-05, GS0649-06, GS-0649-07
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Grade Determinations:

GS-5 Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee):
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
OR,
(b) Education. Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.
(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.
2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.
3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.
4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.
5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine.

(d) Assignment. Medical Instrument Technicians (Trainee) at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under normal supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties would be performed under closer supervision.

GS-6 Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography):
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:??????
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels.
2. Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle.
3. Knowledge of basic cardiac ultrasound physics and the acoustic mechanisms by which high quality cardiac images are obtained.
4. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized, routine procedures.
5. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure.

(c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.
(d) Assignment. Echocardiography technician assignments at this level involve performing routine, standardized cardiac ultrasound examinations under the supervision of a fully qualified cardiac sonographer. The work involves generating adequate gray scale images to define cardiac borders and learning to perform Doppler integration of cardiac valves for determination of flow velocities.

GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography):
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade 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 the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized echocardiographic examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with colorflow and some Doppler.
2. Ability to conduct cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems, i.e., valvular dysfunction, myocardial wall kinesia, effusions, endocardial lesions, etc.
3. Knowledge of the set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms.
4. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex, but standardized procedures.

(c) Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

(d) Assignment. At this level, medical instrument technicians (echocardiography) perform a range of standard, but complex, echocardiographic examinations with responsibility for calibrating all instruments prior to the procedure. They are expected to keep an accurate record of tests, daily logs, and videotapes. They maintain cidex logs.

Preferred Experience:
Preferred Skills for Monitor Telemetry Technicians:
1.) Technical Skills

• ECG (Electrocardiogram) Interpretation: Proficiency in recognizing normal rhythms, arrhythmias, ischemic changes, and artifact.
• Understanding of Cardiac Physiology: Knowledge of heart anatomy and how it relates to telemetry readings.
• Equipment Operation: Skill in operating telemetry monitoring equipment and related software; ability to set up, calibrate, and troubleshoot monitors.
• Alarm Management: Ability to quickly recognize, assess, and appropriately respond to alarms.

2.) Clinical & Documentation Skills:

• Accurate Charting: Precise documentation of cardiac rhythms and events in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Reporting Abnormal Findings: Effective communication of urgent or significant changes to the appropriate nursing/clinical staff promptly.
• Following Protocols: Adherence to facility policies and reporting procedures regarding cardiac monitoring.

3.) Interpersonal & Communication Skills:

• Teamwork: Ability to work closely with nurses, physicians, and other medical staff.
• Clear Communication: Ability to relay critical information succinctly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Patient Sensitivity: Professionalism and confidentiality, respecting the privacy and dignity of patients.

4.) Cognitive & Organizational Skills:

• Attention to Detail: High degree of accuracy and vigilance in observing patient monitors.
• Multitasking: Capability to monitor multiple patients simultaneously and prioritize appropriately.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to remain calm, identify issues, and respond correctly in urgent or evolving situations.

5.) Certifications & Educational Background (Preferred)

• High School Diploma/GED: Minimum; some college coursework in health sciences is preferred.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification: Often required or strongly preferred.
• ECG/Telemetry Certification: Completion of a formal telemetry or ECG interpretation course is highly regarded.
• Prior Experience: Previous experience as a monitor tech, nursing assistant, or similar clinical role is advantageous.

Reference: 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-5 to GS-7.

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.

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

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

INSTRUCTIONS: Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

Job Title Duties (be as detailed and specific as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2014 to April 2015 or 06/2014 to 04/2015)
Full-Time or Part-Time Status (include hours worked per week)

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• 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.

Next steps