Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Cincinnati, Ohio

Salary Range: $52559 - $68328 Per Year

Job Summary: The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is seeking a full time Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) Electrocardiograph Technician (EKG) for the Acute Care patient care units in Nursing Service. The incumbent provides cardiac monitoring and patient care duties within the Acute Care setting under the supervision of the Registered Nurse.

Major Duties:

• The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division. Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: The MIT/Monitor Watcher will provide continuous monitoring of cardiac rate, rhythm, and patterns of conduction at a monitoring station. The MIT/Monitor Watcher measures, prints, and interprets rhythms at designated intervals and as needed. Recognizes and reports changes in a patient's rhythm that are outside the established parameters. The MIT/Monitor Watcher promptly reacts and validates alarm conditions for each patient. Monitors patient's vital signs and response to treatment throughout a procedure. Recognizes life-threatening situations and notifies the Registered Nurse while simultaneously initiating emergency procedures. The MIT/Monitor Watcher maintains patient confidentiality and rights at all times. The MIT /Monitor Watcher demonstrates skills in the operation of and monitoring of EKG monitoring systems. Monitors patient rhythm and determines proper alarm settings after verifying with the Registered Nurse (RN). Monitors for abnormal cardiac rhythms and understands that emergency medical treatment may be needed for such rhythms. Recognizes and reports changes in rhythms to the RN. Demonstrates knowledge of what default alarm settings are and makes adjustments based on RN guidance. The MIT/Monitor Wachter demonstrates how to measure EKG strips, including the PRI, QRS duration, QT, and rate using a minimum of a 6 second strip. Verbalizes the need to ensure patient is admitted and placed on a cardiac monitor as soon as they arrive on the unit. Demonstrates how to attach cardiac monitor to patient once they arrive on the unit and verbalizes the need to ensure the patient is admitted and placed on a cardiac monitor as soon as they arrive on the floor. The MIT/Monitor Watcher obtains, measures, and interprets rhythm strip within the first 30 minutes of patient's arrival to the unit. Marks the date and time that the strip was obtained along with initials and documents rhythm strip. Verbalizes the need to repeat this procedure with any rhythm changes. Obtains and analyzes rhythm strips within 30 minutes of each four (4) hours and as needed with change in patient rhythm. Demonstrates how to admit and discharge patients in the EKG monitoring system. Incumbent is responsible for the maintenance of accurate documentation, as well as computer data input for all information gathered to formulate a permanent Work Schedule: Evening/night position, details to be discussed at time of interview Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92632-0, 92633-0 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Qualifications: 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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: Medical Instrument Technician (EKG), GS-7 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade (GS-06) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Medical instrument technicians (EKG) at this level operate and monitor electrocardiographic equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving exercise stress testing, ambulatory monitoring of arrhythmias, and indirect carotid pulse tracings on chronic patients. They monitor tracings to identify arrhythmias and when gross abnormalities appear, when to repeat certain procedures, when to stop test procedures, and when to get the immediate attention of a physician. They evaluate test results to determine appropriate machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results. This includes adapting equipment and accessories to yield the best results during the examination. They edit and select an appropriate sample portion of the tracing for further interpretation by the physician. Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a Telemetry monitor watcher is required. References: VA Handbook 5005/54, Part II, G27 Physical Requirements: The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) must be able to help move equipment, transfer and position patients, and perform delicate manipulations as needed to obtain accurate and complete studies. Work is in a clinical cardiac non-invasive laboratory on general patient floors and in intensive care unit environments as required to obtain ECG studies on a all patients. Radioisotopes may be present for nuclear studies during exercise. Nuclear medicine personnel will assist in all studies involving radioisotopes. The Medical Instrument Technician (EKG) will wear a radiation badge.

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 04/03/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12908309. 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. 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.

Application Deadline: 2026-04-03