Monitor Technician

Telemetry Monitor Technician

Located in Largo in the heart of Prince George's County, our new state-of-the-art regional medical center (UM Capital Region Medical Center) will provide improved access to primary and ambulatory care services, and serve as a tertiary care center for critically ill patients. In addition, our new space will allow us to expand our offerings as a community partner to help improve the health status of Prince George's County residents.

Under the direction of a licensed nurse, monitors arrhythmia status of the telemetry patients. Responsible for the safe and effective operation of the monitoring console by keeping the paper loaders full, cleaning telemetry systems and reporting any problems.

Principal Duties

1. Performs basic routine/specialized skills under the supervision of a Registered Nurse as identified by skills and policies.

2. Explains process to patient, and instructs and assists patient in assuming physical position for examination. Responds to patient's concerns and questions.

3. Demonstrates appropriate assessment skills prior to performing the ultrasound procedure and notifies the Radiologist, when appropriate:

a. Patient identification

b. Clinical condition (i.e., pregnant, isolation, risk to fall, etc.)

c. Special needs (i.e., blind, hard of hearing, limited English speaking)

d. Correct patient position to obtain the proper view of affected area. e. Patient's understanding of process

f. Obtains informed consent, when appropriate.

4. Performs cardiac monitoring procedures.

a. Prepares skin for monitor electrodes.

b. Applies of electrodes in I, II, III, VI, MCLI.

c. Interprets cardiac rhythms and arrhythmias. Identifies and reports routine telemetry observations and life threatening or potentially serious arrhythmias requiring immediate attention to the RN.

d. Maintains concentration on observations of the central monitors by restricting personal matters to break/meal time, i.e., personal calls, visits from friends/co-workers, etc.

e. Enters and removes patient's name during admission and discharge from the monitor.

5. Documents cardiac rhythms and arrhythimias.

a. Measures PR, QRS and QT interval.

b. Interprets QT interval as "prolonged" or WNL according to QT HR chart.

c. Calculates atrial and ventricular rates.

d. Documents rhythm interpretation.

e. Documents rhythm strip at beginning of each shift. f. Documents strips with ectopic activity.

g. Interprests both sensing and pacing functions of single, dual chambe or temporary pacemakers.

h. Fills out flowsheet at beginning of each shift every 4 hours and during an event which is a change from baseline.

6. Interprets cardiac rhythms and arrhythmias. Identifies and reports routine telemetry observations and life threatening or potentially serious arrhythmias requiring immediate attention to the RN as soon as possible.

7. Maintains concentration on observation of the central monitors by restricting personal matters to break/meal time, i.e., personal calls, visits from friends/co-workers, etc.

8. Receives verbal reports to the oncoming monitor technician and provides report from outgoing monitor technician with report to include patient's name, location, diagnosis (if pertinent) and lead in, type of day, alarm history, heart rate, UPP activity, unusual occurrences and other activity as indicated.

9. Maintains a clean and safe work environment.

10. Reports unsafe equipment, mechanical malfunction and/or unsafe practice immediately to appropriate personnel.

11. Informs Director for need of additional telemetry equipment and supplies as needed.

12. Verbalizes and carries out Fire, Disaster, Code 99 and Code 13 regulations and procedures.

Customer Service

1. Greets customers in courteous, friendly, respectful and professional manner at all times, including maintaining eye contact when appropriate.

2. Follows communication protocols to both internal and external customers, including introducing him/herself with job title and experience, asking open ended questions, such as "How may I be of help to you?" using the customer's name as soon as it is learned.

3. Responds promptly and appropriately to customer questions/concerns/complaints and attempts immediate resolution.

4. Keeps customer's information confidential, including public places such as elevators or the cafeteria.

5. Provides assistance and offers help immediately, including finding someone else to meet the request, if unable to do so him/herself. Introduce other staff to customers when a hand-off occurs and explain that the person will provide excellent service.

6. Demonstrates commitment to excellent service recovery when a customer's expectations have not been met.

Commitment to Co-Workers

1. Offers assistance to colleagues and other departments when needed.

2. Takes responsibility for solving problems regardless of origin; completes assignments, and respects deadlines.

3. Resolves conflict directly with colleagues and seeks assistance from others if the issue cannot be resolved. Refrains from criticism in public.

4. Mindful and respectful of others' time and schedules. Attends meetings on time and communicates any absences.

5. Provides co-workers with a status report for continuity of workflow when planning to be out of the office, off the unit, or away from the department

Communication Etiquette

1. Respectful, courteous and professional in all forms of communication and follows facility's service communication protocol in all interactions.

2. Refrains from use of personal cell phone in patient care areas and keeps usage to a minimum at all other times while on duty.

3. Does not text or use e-mail during meetings (except for exigent or emergency situations).

4. Limits use of business cell phone during meetings (remain on vibrate and/or calls go to voicemail).

5. Makes every effort to answer telephone calls within three rings, introducing him/herself, department and title (if appropriate). Asks permission before placing the caller on hold or using the speakerphone. If caller is transferred, gives the caller the extension number of the person he or she is being transferred to. Offers further assistance to the caller upon completing the conversation.

6. Maintains an appropriate voicemail message and when away from the office has an out-of-office email message that is brief, current, and includes name and department and offers the caller options if possible.

7. Returns email and voicemail messages promptly but no later than within one business day (24 hours).

8. Always mindful of voice and language in public.

Self Management

1. Reports to work appropriately groomed and in compliance with the Hospital's dress code. Wears identification badge at all times at chest level and facing outwards so identification is clearly visible.

2. Complete all assignments within deadlines or negotiates alternative actions and time frames in order to achieve desired outcomes.

3. Completes mandatory, annual education and competency requirements.

4. Follows UMCAP safety, infection control and employee health standards.

5. Demonstrates responsibility for personal growth, development and professional knowledge and competency.

6. Adhere to all UMCAP and department policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct and professional behavior standards. Does not exceed Hospital guidelines in reference to attendance, punctuality, and use of sick and unplanned absences. Provides notification of absences, lateness and vacation requests according to department guidelines. Respects length of time for lunch and break times.

7. Reviews, signs, and adheres to UMCAP and/or departmental confidentiality statement.

Work Experience

Licensure/Certification/Registration

Other: Certification for Dysrhythmia Interpretation from an approved school program or evidence of completion of a hospital-based Dysrhythmia Course in conjunction with a minimum of one-year acute care setting experience as a monitor technician.

Life Support Certification:

Basic Life Support Health Care Provider (BLS-HCP)

Education/Knowledge

Attained Level: Entry level

Preferred: Certified Nursing Assistant

Applicable Experience

Experience (years): Required: 1 - 3 years