Monitor Technician I- Per Diem- Flex- MRH

About the Role

Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), the Monitor Technician monitors, recognizes, and interprets cardiac rhythms while identifying deviations in patients' baseline and changes in SP02. The Monitor Technician notifies the registered nurse of changes to a patient's status and initiates the appropriate emergency response by the critical care team in the event of a lethal arrhythmia, including irregular heart rhythms and cardiac arrest.

This position requires working 12-hour shifts from 7 AM to 7 PM or 7 PM to 7 AM.

Responsibilities

• Documents the electrocardiograph tracings of patients on telemetry monitors.
• Attaches electrodes to patients' bodies to record electrical impulses from the heart to perform continuous ECG Monitoring.
• Activates emergency response or rapid response for lethal arrhythmia or cardiac arrest.
• Identifies arrhythmias, deviations in each patient's baseline, signs of patient deterioration, and intervenes to ensure patient safety.
• Records information in patient's log and maintains accurate, neat account of patient's cardiac monitoring status during episode of care.
• Identifies and records patient's rhythm and changes in patient rhythm and condition.
• Updates patient's records with all readings taken from the heart monitor or EKGs.
• Performs continual and simultaneous surveillance for the operation of complex cardiac monitoring systems, including ECG rhythm screens, computerized dysrhythmia detection system, and rhythm printers.
• Identifies and corrects for artifacts.
• Reports abnormal or change in patient's telemetry monitoring to nursing staff or immediate supervisor or designated chain of command.

Competencies

• Accountability
• Customer Service
• Patient and Family Centered Care
• Patient Safety - Ancillary/Support
• Problem Solving
• Responding to Change
• Standards of Behavior
• Telemetry Monitoring and Interpretation

Requirements

• Vocational Technical certification (required).
• BLS certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) or Red Cross (acceptable forms: BLS AHA E-Card, BLS AHA-RQI E-Card, BLS AHA non-E-Card, BLS Grace, or BLS Red Cross).
• Monitor Technician certification required.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) competency required.
• Successful completion of ECG/EKG interpretation coursework required.

Requires critical thinking skills, effective communication skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the heart in relation to waves, complexes, time, and voltage as shown through the conduction system and strip interpretation is essential. Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action. Requires sitting for long periods while monitoring and interpreting patients' cardiac rhythms. Knowledge of telemetry services and the ability to handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedules are necessary.

Qualifications

One (1) year of experience as a Monitor Technician is required. Two (2) years of experience may substitute for Vocational Technical (VOTECH) certification.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Bending and Stooping: 20%
• Keyboard Entry: 60%
• Kneeling: 20%
• Lifting or Carrying 0 - 25 lbs (Non-Patient): 20%
• Sitting: 60%
• Standing: 20%
• Walking: 20%
• Audible Speech: 60%
• Hearing Acuity: 60%
• Depth Perception: 60%
• Distinguish Color: 60%
• Seeing - Far: 60%
• Seeing - Near: 60%
• Repetitive Movement Hand/Arm: 60%

Exposure to the following hazards may occur:

• Biohazardous Waste: 40%
• Biological Hazards - Respiratory: 40%
• Biological Hazards - Skin or Ingestion: 40%
• Blood and/or Bodily Fluids: 40%
• Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens: 40%
• Dust: 40%
• Gas/Vapors/Fumes: 40%
• Computer Monitor: 60%
• Domestic Animals: 20%
• Fire Risk: 20%
• Moving Mechanical Parts: 60%
• Needles/Sharp Objects: 60%
• Potential Electric Shock: 20%
• Wet or Slippery Surfaces: 60%