Monitor Technician - Central Telemetry - PRN

Description

Summary :

Under the direct supervision of the Director or Charge Nurse, the Telemetry Technician assumes the responsibilities for constant electrocardiographic monitoring with rapid, accurate notification of questionable patterns, and provides accurate documentation of information obtained from the cardiac monitoring equipment.

Responsibilities :

Adheres to Christus policies and procedures and the standards of JC, OSHA, DHH, HIPAA, etc

Maintains infection control standards by using proper isolation techniques, handwashing, and standard precautions :

Provides privacy and maintenance of confidentiality

Promotes patients' right to make personal choices to accommodate their needs and be free from abuse, mistreatment, and neglect, reporting any instances of maltreatment to appropriate personnel

Gives assistance in resolving grievances and disputes

Provides needed assistance in getting to and participating in patient and family meetings and other activities

Maintains care and security of the patient’s personal possessions

Works with nursing staff to reduce the need for restraints

Screens telephone calls and visitor requests to protect patient confidentiality

Restricts access to patient information (e.g., charts, computers, etc.)

Demonstrates knowledge of informed consent

Recognizes age, diversity specific needs / issues of customers served

Communicates with patient / family / staff members in ways that demonstrate :

Responsiveness to verbal and behavioral patient communication

Awareness of age-specific needs and developmental tasks

Sensitivity and openness for allowing the patient to make personal choices

The ability to involve the patient / family as a source of emotional support

Communicates with team members demonstrating :

Prompt reporting of changes in patient condition

Timely awareness & reporting of clinical and equipment alarms

Appropriate access to the chain-of-command

Collaboration with the multidisciplinary team

Proper telephone etiquette

Performs communication using various technology applications :

Communicates with patients and staff via intercom

Communicates with medical staff by assisting :

The Charge Nurse in informing physicians of patient ECG history and the length of time the patient has been on telemetry

The Charge Nurse and Physicians in identifying patients with decreased need for telemetry monitoring, when needed in high census periods

Communicates with members of the health care team through reports and written skills :

Punctually receives reports on assigned patients

Gives an accurate outgoing report to the oncoming telemetry tech and Charge Nurse

Obtains a six-second monitor strip and places it on each patient's chart every four hours following accurate labeling

Maintains an up-to-date patient log, including information regarding new admits, transfers, and discharges

Maintains responsibility for learning needs and remains current on all aspects of the telemetry technician role :

Attends in-services, department, staff, or other required meetings

Reviews facility-specific publications, memos, policies, and other job-related publications

Performs skills competently and in accordance with Christus policies and procedures following initial competence validation

Cross-trains and functions in transcription clerk and nurse aide roles

Monitors ECG rhythms :

Observes cardiac monitors

After receiving the report, watches cardiac monitors constantly and reports any dysrhythmia immediately to the appropriate nurse

Sets and maintains alarm rates as indicated by the physician and / or Charge Nurse

Assures that monitors are attended to at all times

Demonstrates proper knowledge of functioning machinery and supplies

Assists with maintenance of computer environment, reports malfunctioning equipment, follows-up on repairs to allow no lapse in patient care

Cleans and prepares transmitters for reuse following patient discharge

Requirements :

EKG / arrhythmia interpretation background desired

Successful completion of a hospital sponsored dysrhythmia interpretation course

EMT experience or hospital-oriented background desirable

Successfully completes the annual cardiac dysrhythmia exam

Work Schedule : PRN

Work Type : Per Diem As Needed