Cardiac Monitor Specialist - Casual/PRN

*This position requires 1-2 years of previous experience in Telemetry.*

Location: Methodist Hospital
Address: 8303 Dodge St, Omaha, NE

Work Schedule: This is a casual position. Casual employees work on an ‘as needed’ basis to meet the needs of the business. Work days/hours will often vary from week to week.

Supports the nursing staff and physicians in providing cardiac care. Monitors patients at Nebraska Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women's Hospital. Works with a diverse team in the 24/7 Centralized Telemetry department. Responsible for continuous monitoring of inpatients at Nebraska Methodist Hospital and Women's Hospital. Responds to all alarms. Recognizes pertinent arrhythmias, documents action and measurements taken. Scans rhythm strips in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Reports significant events. Follows established standards and protocols. Performs diagnostic 12 lead EKGs and places cardiac event/Holter monitors as necessary.

• Demonstrates knowledge of cardiac rhythms outlined in departmental competency requirements.
  • Displays knowledge of vital signs outlined in departmental competency requirements.
  • Displays the ability to prioritize cardiac arrhythmias and vital signs based on severity.

• Effectively follows all procedural policies while working with patients.
• Participates in orientation of new process or policy revisions.

• Monitors assigned patients continuously and report changes as appropriate.
• Ensures patient rhythms are easily visible on the work station.
• Verifies ST setup is accurate and ST alarms are appropriate.
• Refrains from using electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, etc.
• Accurately enters patient information into patient’s EMR.
• Frequently checks patient status when telemetry leads are off or having procedure.

• Ensures station alarm settings are appropriate for each patient.
• Obtains guidelines from nursing before making changes to alarm settings.
• Validates all alarms.
• Cleans out alarm history, keeping all relevant alarms.

• Documents all relevant communication on the communication log.
• Keeps patient/nurse assignment sheet up to date and easily accessible at work station.
• Documents patient guidelines from nursing where they can be easily seen by coworkers.
• Labels rhythm strips appropriately.
• Transfers all relevant rhythm strips into the patient chart.
• Documents changes in rhythm status on station log.

• Notifies RN about rhythm changes and events in accordance with policy.
• Notifies appropriate staff about leads off, loss of signal, or low/dead batteries.
• Communicates to coworkers all relevant information in report during station hand-off.
• Sends all-page email when low on Telemetry boxes as per policy.
• Keeps coworkers informed about important patient issues on their station.

• Keeps work area clean and organized.
• Cleans equipment when necessary.
• Performs equipment inventory daily.
• Reports equipment issues to Biomed department and supervisor.

• Performs self-scheduling in accordance with scheduling policy.
• Demonstrates willingness to provide coverage and be flexible when necessary.

• Performs routine EKGs, STAT EKGs, and timed EKGs for inpatients.
• Performs routine EKGs for outpatients.
• Match studies with correct FIN in patient record.

• Ensures accurate placement of cardiac event/Holter monitors.
• Completes online patient enrollment for cardiac event/Holter monitors.
• Instructs patient on use and return of cardiac event/Holter monitors.

• High School degree or General Education Development (G.E.D.) required.

• Minimum of one year cardiac monitoring experience with demonstrated competency in cardiac rhythm interpretation required OR 3-6 months successful completion of Cardiac Monitor Specialist orientation required.
• Demonstrated competency completing diagnostic 12 lead EKGs and cardiac event/Holter monitor application preferred.

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.

• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to react calmly, quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Displays a willingness to learn new processes and techniques.
• Ability to interact well with others.
• Ability to effectively manage time and coordinate work assignments.
• Knowledge of cardiac rhythm interpretation, EKG and monitor application.

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

• Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
  • Balancing
  • Carrying
  • Climbing
  • Crawling
  • Crouching
  • Kneeling
  • Lifting
  • Pulling/Pushing
• Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
  • Distinguish colors
  • Keyboarding/typing
  • Repetitive Motions
  • Standing
  • Stooping/bending
  • Twisting
  • Walking
• Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
  • Fingering/Touching
  • Grasping
  • Hearing
  • Reaching
  • Seeing/Visual
  • Sitting
  • Speaking/talking

• Not Related:
  • Explosives (pressurized gas)
  • Electrical Shock/Static
  • Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
• Rare (1-33%):
  • Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
  • Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
• Occasionally (34%-66%):
  • Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) (BBF)
  • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
  • Equipment/Machinery/Tools