Health Technician - Telemetry

This position is located in the VA Medical Center's (MC), Patient Care Service Line (PCS) under the direct supervision of a Nurse Manager. The incumbent provides continuous cardiac surveillance, interpretation and reporting of monitor and Telemetry tracing of patients within (PCS).

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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: Assisting RN with patient care as directed, Providing direct patient observation, Assisting with transfer and ambulation of patients, Answering call lights and if unable to independently assist, communicates patients' needs to assigned RN or Charge Nurse, Measuring and recording blood pressure, respirations, oral and axillary temperature, weight, and pulse.

There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level.

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.

Responsibilities:

• Performs continuous monitoring and analysis of cardiac rate, rhythm, and patterns of conduction on telemetry patients through the use of approved telemetry monitoring system
• Detects abnormal or changing rate, rhythm, and patterns of conduction on telemetry patients through the use of approved telemetry monitoring system
• Monitor for non-invasive blood pressure and continuous pulse oximetry (SP02) alarm events
• Promptly validates/invalidates alarm conditions
• Establishes and maintains morphologically suitable and noise free EKG signal
• Detects need for lead changes by observing accuracy of computer diagnosis and noting clarity of EKG signal at console oscilloscope
• Documents an analyzed six second strip per policy
• Notifies appropriate personnel of monitor/major/life threatening cardiac rhythm disturbance
• Sets alarm limits per policy
• Admit/Discharge patients in computer arrhythmia system
• Documents, on admission to telemetry, and analyzed baseline rhythm strip
• Marks monitors with patients location when they are temporarily taken off of the monitor (i.e. medical procedures)
• Gives verbal requests to nursing staff regarding patient EKG rhythm
• Completes hand-off communication to oncoming MT.
• Answers call lights and if unable to independently assist, communicates patients' needs to assigned RN or Charge Nurse.
• Measure and record vital signs in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).
• Cleans dirty reusable medical equipment and properly identifies equipment as cleaned.
• Reviews for expired stocks and supplies, and restocks in areas such as specialty carts, treatment rooms and clean utility rooms.

Preferred Experience: Telemetry experience preferred, 2-3 years, tele-certification, telemetry training, acute care experience, effective communication and interpersonal skills. Flexibility and adaptability to a fast paced telemetry unit, BLS.

Work Schedule: 40-hours per week, alternating holidays, every other weekend, various shifts depending on operational needs

Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Telemetry/PD02684A
Physical Requirements: Requires considerable walking, bending, standing, lifting, and handling of equipment and supplies. Requires dexterity in performing technical procedures. Proper body mechanics should be utilized at all times. Required to have the physical ability to manipulate patient while they are in bed to perform such tasks as weighing patient on bed scales an records necessary to maintain the CPRS vital signs packages and assisting RNs with turning and positioning of patients.

Salary : $49,541