The incumbent will be assigned to Patient Care Service and is under the supervision of the Assistant Nurse Manager, Medical-Surgical Unit (B4/B5). The Telemetry Technician at this level is responsible for skilled continuous comprehensive evaluation and documentation of the patient cardiac monitoring system for patients requiring telemetry, as assigned.

Duties

Work Schedule: Varies, must accept all shifts Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40709-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The incumbent monitors tracings from Electronic Monitoring equipment to identify all cardiac rhythms including complex rhythm disturbances such as Ventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Fibrillation, Atrial Fibrillation and other dysrhythmias on monitored patients. The Telemetry Technician relays all critical information to the Registered Nurse (RN). Duties of the position include but are not limited to: The Telemetry Technician is knowledgeable and independently functions in the use of the monitoring equipment and works in collaboration with the unit RN and NA. Information is relayed quickly as appropriate via in telephones, and verbally for notification of emergent alarms and potentially emergent situations. The Telemetry Technician will report rhythm changes and arrhythmias to the assigned RN caring for the patient. Reviews current and previous shift's rhythm strips for shift history and reviews patient information on CPRS upon admission to review telemetry orders and parameters in order to prevent any delay in placing a patient on ordered telemetry and to ensure accuracy of ordered parameters for monitoring. The Telemetry Technician completes shift to shift report between Telemetry Technicians regarding patient status for monitoring and brief history of shift events related to Telemetry Monitoring and vital signs and updates RNs, Charge Nurses, Nursing Supervisors and Physicians upon request. The incumbent tracks each monitored patient throughout each shift, documents ECG interpretation per patient requirements and policy. All interpretations will be signed and verified by an RN prior to placement in the patients' medical record. If a patient is discharged, transferred, moved to another unit or has scheduled appointments, the Telemetry Technician will document in the monitoring system where the patient is going/ and or moved. When the patient is brought back on the unit, Telemetry Technician to RN communication is initiated to verify active signal from the patient telemetry monitoring system. The Telemetry Technician verifies appropriate parameters of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation from the doctor's orders and notifies the assigned RN of patient changes that are outside of the set parameters such as a heart rate that becomes too fast or too slow. A Telemetry Technician will independently take corrective actions, including reapplication of electrodes on patients, perform a 12 Lead ECG, and set alarm parameters as ordered. On occasion, functions as 1:1 Patient monitor/observer in Inpatient Departments and may assist in transporting patients as needed for X-ray, Dialysis, and CT Scan. Telemetry Technicians, at this level, receive requests for ECGs from RNs and Physicians; explain ECGs and telemetry to the patient to secure the patient's confidence and cooperation; obtain ECGs for documentation in the patient's record and independently perform monitoring, operate and clean used equipment. Knowledge of Universal precautions and ability to follow CDC guideline in cleaning equipment (Telemetry Boxes and Leads) Ability to recognize special patient needs, such as disabilities, impaired mobility, and complicated medical conditions in order to prepare and position the patient for the necessary Electrocardiogram. At this level, the Telemetry Technician will have knowledge of standard medical terminology as well as common diseases and their effects are understood. Telemetry monitoring, including ST segment monitoring, pacemaker function & monitoring, obtaining 12 Lead ECGs and related duties. Demonstrates understanding and proficiency of the use of the continuous virtual care platform with audio and visual capability. Other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

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. Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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 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: GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (EGK) 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 knowledge of the equipment, standard tests and procedures, and typical readings including arrhythmias and abnormalities. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: Prior telemetry/monitor experience preferred, ECG coursework or education, certificate of completion of basic ECG Arrhythmia course References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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/.

Contacts

• Address VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System 975 Kirman Avenue Reno, NV 89502 US
• Name: Kealohakama Kuikahi
• Phone: 650-694-6000 X15282
• Email: [email protected]