Cardiac Monitor Technician

Responsibilities

• Constant observation of cardiac monitors and alerting nursing staff of changes in tracings.
• Maintain a log of telemetry patients including patient identifiers, cardiac monitor identification numbers, time and rhythm on a shift-to-shift basis with appropriate rhythm strip documentation.
• Document rhythm interpretations for assigned station during shift.
• Document validation of cardiac monitor status at least every 2 hours, at change of shift, and during hand-off communication.
• Evaluate telemetry patients at the beginning of each tour and on an ongoing basis to collect data concerning rhythm and any changes.
• Obtain a rhythm strip at the time of admission, at defined intervals as per CMU standards, and whenever dysrhythmias occur.
• Notify RN of all changes in rhythm immediately.
• Evaluate possible equipment malfunctions and apply defined escalation processes.
• Clean monitors and lead wires after each patient use.
• Summarize rhythm tracings as per criteria of Cardiac Telemetry Protocol daily and record outcomes of clinical review by the patient’s nurse.
• Absorb and implement performance improvement (PI) activities as needed.
• Perform essential job functions ensuring the safety of patients, visitors, and employees.
• Identify and reduce unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors, and employees.
• Reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors, and employees.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent (GED) required.
• 1 year of Patient Care Assistant/Unit Secretary (PCA/US) or LPN experience or similar clinical experience preferred.
• BLS required or achieved within first 90 days of employment.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
• Must successfully complete Cardiac Telemetry Monitoring training course and EKG rhythm interpretation.
• Must achieve 100% on recognition of life-threatening dysrhythmias and 80% overall on the exam.
• Monthly rhythm testing required with 100% on recognition of life-threatening dysrhythmias and 80% overall is required to pass the exam.