Medical Instrument Technician (Electrocardiograph Technician-EKG)

Medical Instrument Technician (EKG)

Assist in performance of exercise treadmill and pharmacologic stress tests. Inform patients about the protocol for exercise or pharmacologic stress testing. Carefully prepare the patient's skin and apply electrodes to eliminate interference. Monitor blood pressure accurately and rapidly before, during, and after exercise or pharmacologic stress, and observe the ECG for changes in rate or rhythm that would require modifications in the test protocol or the discontinuation of the procedure. Operate computerized ECG acquisition equipment. Monitor patients for exercise tolerance where appropriate and assist in determining when exercise must be terminated. Be prepared to take appropriate action in the event of an emergency and be competent to initiate basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation if needed. Prepare patients for holter monitoring. This includes patient teaching, skin preparation and application of electrodes and acquiring a standardized baseline. Scan holter tapes using an automated, computerized reading station and prepare standardized arrhythmia summaries for reading by the physician. Recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care. Instruct patients in the use and application of cardiac event monitors. Instruct patients on methods of telephone transmittal and receive telephone transmittal of arrhythmia recordings from patients. Recognize significant arrhythmias and take immediate action to inform the reading physician and the physician in charge of the patient's care. Recognize malignant arrhythmias and significant abnormalities such as ischemia and infarction patterns. Record routine and emergent 12 lead electrocardiograms on both outpatients and hospitalized patients. Make appropriate lead placements, e.g., Lewis leads to locate atrial activity, where these are appropriate, whether or not his referring physician has ordered them. Download recorded ECGs to a computerized ECG data management system. Assist in EKG monitoring during tilt testing and pharmacological interventions and be prepared to warn the physician immediately of any untoward drug effects. Instruct residents, fellows, and medical students in how to perform non-invasive procedures and basic interpretation of tests. Maintain all equipment in good working order and make minor repairs and adjustments as needed. Report any malfunction immediately to the biomedical engineering or his/her designee. Supporting the EKG Administrator for data, training and reports. Act as back-up EKG administrator as needed.