This vacancy is located at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital

Fort Belvoir Community Hospital is a Department of Defense medical facility located on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, outside of Washington D.C. In conjunction with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Belvoir provides the Military Health System medical capabilities of the National Capital Region Medical Directorate (NCR MD), a joint unit providing comprehensive care to members of the United States Armed Forces located in the capital area, and their families. The facility is located on a U.S. Army installation but operates as one of the first joint service medical facilities in the U.S. military, staffed with uniformed medical personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The hospital is one of the largest medical facilities in Northern Virginia and provides all levels of inpatient and outpatient medical care. The facility maintains a 24-hour emergency department but, like most U.S. military hospitals, transfers patients in need of a trauma center to equipped civilian medical facilities. As part of federal emergency planning in the National Capitol Region, the hospital is also tasked with maintaining unique capabilities to support continuity of government operations in the event of crisis.

Working for the Department of Defense can come with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

This is a direct Hire announcement.

Perform a variety of duties and services involving observation of cardiac monitors and assessment of resulting data. Serves as a Medical Technician (Telemetry) on a medical/surgical/telemetry ward. Responsible for performing duties relating to cardiac monitoring and EKG monitoring under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Practical Nurse.

Observes, gathers, initiates, compiles, and records data; reports changes and information on monitored patients. Observes computer output, and reports abnormalities to nurse caring for patient. Monitors and documents all pertinent information during a cardiac arrest and reports all changes to patient's nurse. Completes and submits all documentation to code team immediately following the cardiac arrest. Labels and distributes trend reports for each patient for past eight hours as required. Signs off on all dysrhythmia sheets. Files reports in accordance with established procedures. Reports the status of monitored patients to the technician for the next shift.

Obtains and posts rhythm strips on admission in patient records and every 4 hours or more frequently if ordered by physician or nurse. Interprets rhythm strips to include rate (atrial and ventricular), PR interval, QRS interval, rhythm, ectopic beats and ST parameters. Documents the interpretations on the strips and posts in patient records. Seeks prompt assistance from appropriate staff for rhythm interpretation beyond expertise. Records and identifies all changes occurring in the patient's baseline cardiac rhythm and notifies nursing staff of changes as they occur.

Identifies life threatening arrhythmias, and takes immediate action. Alerts nursing staff, checks patient, if necessary, and calls a code blue to activate the emergency response team. Connects patient immediately to the emergency equipment such as the cardiac defibrillator, assuring proper lead placement and settings of the defibrillator.

Records cardiac rhythms during cardiac arrests and resuscitation, cardioversion and during the administration of intravenous push medications such as digoxin, verapamil, adenosine, etc.

Performs 12 lead EKGs, routine or emergency. Instructs positions and prepares patients; attaches electrodes to patient's chest and extremities to record prescribed heart tracing. Manipulates the controls and programs information into the electrocardiogram computer to provide tracing. Checks recording and highlights any abnormal tracing caused by external action or conditions. Determines when an EKG is required, and notifies the nurse.

Reviews arrhythmia sheet and parameters every shift and retrieves trends after review, if requested by physician or nurse.

Operates/utilizes monitoring system to full capacity. Admits patients to the monitoring system, setting alarms per nursing staff directions or based on protocol, adjusting gain, and setting proper lead(s). Responds appropriately to all alarms IAW unit policies.

Communicates with the nursing personnel when changes in the monitoring parameters are required for a particular patient, and when changes in electrode placement are required.

Performs complete system check at the beginning of every shift to include alarms, dysrythmia analysis and patient identification. Assesses all equipment at the beginning of the shift for malfunction and alarm settings. Immediately reports malfunctions to supervisor and coordinates requests for repair; follows up on status of equipment repair and maintains awareness of equipment status at all times.

Notifies supervisor of equipment problems. Initiates action to correct problem. Writes necessary work order to Medical Maintenance and communicates problem to them. Maintains adequate stock of monitor supplies: paper, batteries. Initiates orders as needed. Maintains cleanliness of transmitters and monitoring station per manufacturer and unit guidelines. Instructs new employees on complete monitor use, and signs off their orientation paperwork.

Performs clerical duties to include but not limited to answering the telephone and call bells (at the desk), organizing patient records, stamping forms, putting packets and charts together, taking charts apart. Uses automated systems to create/delete files, search files and records, store or extract material.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and conduction system, to include location and function of the organs and structures.

Knowledge of the common diseases and their effects associated with the cardiovascular system. Understands terms used to describe electrocardiographic findings. Interprets heart rhythms and has the knowledge and understanding of what action is necessary; identifies normal heart rhythms and dysrhythmias.

Knowledge of pharmacology and chemistry to understand drug action, effects and method of administration, especially cardiac/vasoactive drugs used, in order to observe for desired and undesired effects.

Knowledge of blood chemistries/electrolytes and their effects on the cardiovascular system.

Knowledge and skill to use specialized equipment such as, but not limited to, cardiac monitoring devices to include telemetry units, EKG machines and cardiac defibrillators.

Knowledge of lead placement for each type of specialized equipment and the ability to change from one system to another.

Ability to evaluate the quality of rhythm strips and determine appropriate machine adjustments or lead placement changes. Determines when equipment needs maintenance or repair.

Knowledge of and skill to start emergency cardiac arrest procedures and monitor vital signs during emergency situations.

Interpersonal skills to communicate monitoring findings to staff and to work with patients and families experiencing cardiac illness.

Verbal communication skills to convey technical aspects of work to students, technicians, new employees, contract employees, interns and residents. Ability to provide progress report on patient's conditions relative to cardiac rhythm and electrocardiogram.

Knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Knowledge of and ability to use computer systems on the unit such as Composite Health Care System (CHCS), Uniform Chart of Accounts Personnel System (UCAPERS), Essentris and Microsoft Office.

You must be a U.S. Citizen.

You must have at least one year of experience as a Medical Technician (Telemetry).