Summary The incumbent will be assigned to work in the Patient Care Service Line under the direct supervision of the Nurse Manager. The Monitor Technician provides continuous cardiac surveillance, interpretation and reporting of monitor and telemetry tracing of patients within Patient Care Services. The Monitor Technician also provides direct patient care as directed by nursing staff when not providing continuous cardiac surveillance. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: 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 Preserves an analyzed six second strip every 8 hours and as needed for rhythm changes 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. Performs or assists RN with personal care such as body and oral hygiene, dressing/undressing, and toileting/elimination ensuring patient privacy at all times. Answers call lights and if unable to independently assist, communicates patients' needs to assigned RN or Charge Nurse. Change line on occupied and unoccupied beds. Measure and record vital signs in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Measure and empty urine output from urinary catheters. Collect and sends routine urine, stool and sputum specimens. Obtain nasal cultures for MRSA upon admissions, discharge and transfers. Perform venipuncture, draw labs, and obtain blood cultures labels and sends specimens to lab. Perform bladder scans to identify the volume of urine retained in bladder and notified RN or provider of results. 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, blanket warmer, treatment rooms and clean utility rooms. Work Schedule: Rotating tours covering 24/7. Tours of duty consist of 8 hour and 12 hour shifts Position Description Title/PD#: Health Technician - Telemetry/PD01700A 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. Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Preferred Experience: 6 months Nursing Aid, Patient Care Technician, Healthcare Technician. 1 semester RN school Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Education There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. Additional Information The following will be communicated to applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position and will also be included in all VA vacancy announcements for such positions: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.