Monitor Technician

At Houston Methodist, the Monitor Technician position is responsible for performing accurate EKG rhythm interpretation and other in electrocardiography functions that support the interprofessional healthcare team in delivering high-quality, cost-effective care. This position maintains competency in electrocardiography (EKG), monitoring/computer skills, and pulse oximetry (SpO2) as appropriate. The Monitor Technician position employs effective, prompt communication throughout the hospital complex.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• EKG interpretation skills
• Prior healthcare and/or medical terminology experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• Must have one of the following within one year of hire/transfer into this role: • CCT – Certified Cardiography Technician (CCI) • CET – Certified EKG Technician (NHA) or (NPS) • CRAT – Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CCI) • ECG – Certified ECG Technician (ACA) • NRCEKG – Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician (NAHP) • National Telemetry Technician (NTA)

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers
• Successful completion of validated Basic EKG proficiency exam with a score of 80% and correct identification of lethal dysrhythmias during initial and ongoing orientation
• Maintains competency in pulse oximetry (SpO2), as appropriate
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use and maintenance of equipment such as Remote Viewing Station (RVS), transmitters, monitoring equipment, computers, facsimile, Sickbay, EPIC and printer

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes to a positive work environment with the interprofessional care team to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear, and professional.
• Participates in teamwork by responding positively to requests for assistance. Works well with others to make contributions to the work effort as a whole and facilitates problem resolution.
• Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides direct patient care by performing patient preparation for monitoring.
• Organizes workload, utilizing all available work time by assisting others and performing additional tasks.
• Receives information from various sources that is assimilated and communicated in an accurate, timely and effective manner.
• Demonstrates progressive skills through peer-to-peer accountability towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Accurately demonstrates EKG rhythm interpretation. As appropriate, monitors O2 sats, understanding parameters when to call a nurse.
• Promotes quality patient care by vigilant identification of changes or abnormalities in EKG morphology. Takes corrective action or communicates immediately, when appropriate, to proper personnel.
• Provides and accurately processes documents, quality data, and related centralized telemetry monitor (CTM) records.
• Ensures all patient care equipment has had QC performed as required, is in safe working order prior to use and documents findings accordingly. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed.
• Reports “near misses” and inputs errors promptly into TAPS to improve processes and identify trends. Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in department projects and shared governance activities.
• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: No
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

EXPERIENCE

• EKG interpretation skills
• Prior healthcare and/or medical terminology experience preferred

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• Must have one of the following within one year of hire/transfer into this role: • CCT – Certified Cardiography Technician (CCI) • CET – Certified EKG Technician (NHA) or (NPS) • CRAT – Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CCI) • ECG – Certified ECG Technician (ACA) • NRCEKG – Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician (NAHP) • National Telemetry Technician (NTA)