Monitor Tech

Facility: Spalding Medical Center

Job Summary:

The Monitor Technician functions under the direction of the Nurse Manager to facilitate safe, age appropriate and culturally aware patient care by observing cardiac monitors to ensure recognition of arrhythmias. Cardiac monitor technicians are responsible for watching patients' heart rates and /or pulse oximetry and reporting important changes to the nursing staff; they often use equipment that tracks several patients simultaneously. They clean and maintain equipment and ensure batteries are charged and installed properly. Additional duties may include clerical and receptionist functions, retrieval of data, preparing and maintaining patient charts, verifying current telemetry orders in an accurate and timely manner, and serving as the pivotal communication source to the clinical staff.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Excellence in Customer Service by partnering with health care team, patient and family - Protects rights and dignity of patient at all times - Maintains confidentiality - Answers telephone and call lights promptly and notifies appropriate individual of need for follow-up - Resolves unit monitoring concerns - Present self in positive and professional manner and show sensitivity to concerns and needs of others Observes Telemetry Monitors - Recognizes cardiac arrhythmias and reports promptly - Records telemetry strips each shift and as changes or events are noted. Ensures 12 hour strips are printed and distributed to the units per policy - Accurately interprets rhythms and measures intervals, able to identify age appropriate differences Performs telemetry functions - Accurately maintains required units dispensation records and monitor logs - Ensures appropriate assignment of patient to telemetry unit and documentation of all equipment - Prepares each telemetry unit for patient use; cleans each unit upon return - Keeps necessary telemetry supplies available and organized - Reports broken or defective equipment to immediately to Manager and Biomed Team Work Communication - Supports initiatives of the health care team - Participates in unit performance improvement initiatives - Supports professional nursing practice through evidenced-based practice and ethical accountability - Provides unit supplies, patient care supplies, and equipment as assigned - Uses effective written and oral communication skills with physicians and healthcare team - Uses safety communication techniques - Communicates completion of assignment/duties - Gives concise report of all patients monitored and status of equipment to oncoming shift - Communicates patient safety concerns/problems/ emergencies to the RN - Notifies the appropriate nursing unit promptly of rhythm changes. Communicates need for immediate response, if indicated - Uses positive and respectful communication with all members of healthcare team, patients and families. Safety and Infection Control - Provides safe patient monitoring - Follows all policies and procedures with regard to safety and emergency preparedness - Cleans all equipment properly utilizing appropriate cleaning process per isolation guidelines - Practice accountability

Required Minimum Education:

High School graduate or equivalent Required

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

Basic Life Support 1.00 Required BLS - Instructor 1.00 Required BLS - Provisional 1.00 Required

Additional Licenses and Certifications:

Required Minimum Experience:

Previous experience as monitor technician in an acute care setting Required and Staff members with monitor tech experience are required to provide proof of participation in a EKG monitoring course such as Learn Rhythm of a comparable course. Required

Required Minimum Skills:

Ability to read, write and speak the English language; Strong customer service and interpersonal skills; Ability to collaborate with health care providers to facilitate provision of patient care; Ability to multi-task essential; Ability to function in stressful and emergency situations essential; Strong detail orientation required; Computer skills required; Knowledge of medical terminology preferred; Personal time management skills are required.