Cardiac Technician

Northern Light Health•Bangor, ME

About The Position

The Cardiac Technician functions as an ECG, stress, device, or event/Holter technician in Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Cardiology Clinic. The role coordinates patient flow and obtains requested tracings and vital signs for imaging and non-imaging studies in a fast-paced environment. Work includes verifying orders and patient identity, performing quality assurance on monitoring and ECG/stress-testing equipment, preparing and educating patients, and obtaining tracings according to approved policies and protocols. The technician may also participate as part of a procedural team and cares for patients from infancy through geriatrics, following age-specific protocols. The technician performs ECGs, stress tests, event/Holter monitoring, and device-related tasks, including pacemaker and ICD clinic support. The position requires collaboration with physicians, physician extenders, hospital staff, patients, and families; accurate documentation; maintenance of equipment and supplies; and compliance with department and hospital policies, infection-control practices, and emergency procedures. The technician is expected to be flexible with assignments and schedules, including weekend, holiday, and non-restricted call duties as needed. This is a full-time position in the Cardiology Clinic at Northern Light Cardiology, with a 40-hour workweek and a listed schedule of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The stated salary range is $18.50–$22.10. Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is a 411-bed regional tertiary-care hospital and Level II Trauma Center in Bangor, Maine, serving communities across northern and central Maine as part of Northern Light Health.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED).
Technical skills and knowledge necessary to perform high-quality 12-lead ECGs, treadmill exercise tests, and pharmacological stress tests.
Ability to perform proper skin preparation and stress-electrode application and ensure correct chest-lead and limb-lead placement.
Ability to monitor ECG and blood pressure before, during, and after stress testing and recognize basic ECG patterns and arrhythmias.
Knowledge of age-specific protocols and equipment for patients ranging from infancy through geriatrics.
Ability to acquire EGMs through transtelephonic pacemaker checks and obtain other device reports through electronic systems.
Ability to verify patient identity, confirm and evaluate orders, document care accurately, and follow established policies and protocols.
Ability to maintain CPR certification and complete annual training, competency review, and continuing education as applicable to certification or licensure.
Ability to work weekends, holidays, and non-restricted call as needed and to remain flexible with shifts and assignments.
Ability to lift, move, and load 30 to 50 pounds.
Ability to work with computers and perform typing, reading, or writing tasks; prolonged sitting is required.

Responsibilities

Coordinate patient flow and obtain requested tracings and vital signs for imaging and non-imaging studies.
Verify patient identity using two methods, confirm that the exam has been ordered, review clinical indications and requisitions, and seek clarification when orders are unclear or inconsistent.
Prepare and educate patients, obtain informed consent when indicated, and communicate in a manner appropriate to each patient’s age, comfort, privacy, and needs.
Perform 12-lead ECGs according to protocol and respond promptly to ECG requests.
Perform treadmill exercise and pharmacological stress tests, including skin preparation, electrode placement, and ECG and blood-pressure monitoring before, during, and after testing.
Apply event and Holter monitors, prepare patients and equipment for interpretable recordings, and assist physicians with interpretation of monitor tracings.
Schedule and perform transtelephonic pacemaker checks; acquire EGMs and other device reports; set up new pacemaker implant patients with transmitters and follow-up appointments; and support pacemaker and ICD clinics.
Obtain patient vital signs and initial programmer printouts for clinics, and assist physicians or physician extenders by preparing patients and connecting the appropriate pacemaker programmer.
Produce quality tracings with minimal repeats, recognize basic ECG patterns and arrhythmias, and inform physicians of ECG or blood-pressure changes.
Document procedures and patient care accurately, maintain charts and records, compile reports for physician signature, and complete exam and billing functions promptly and accurately.
Maintain and perform required quality-control checks on equipment; keep work areas clean and orderly; report malfunctions or unsafe conditions; arrange maintenance; and manage supplies and emergency equipment.
Coordinate care with other department sections and patient-care areas, assist with patient transport when needed, and notify appropriate personnel when patients are ready to be released or returned.
Minimize patient delays, ensure exam rooms are ready, respond to urgent reading needs, and communicate results to the ordering clinician.
Report patient incidents and HIPAA compliance issues promptly through the online system.
Follow department and hospital policies, infection-control and Standard Precautions guidelines, radiation-monitoring requirements, disaster plans, and code procedures; participate in mock disaster drills and complete annual life-safety training.
Participate in patient quality-improvement initiatives, evaluate processes, and suggest operational improvements and cost-effective approaches to care.
Collaborate with physicians, coworkers, hospital personnel, patients, and families; support team members; assist with orientation and training; and maintain professional conduct and effective communication.
Attend mandatory in-services and staff meetings or review meeting minutes, complete required annual training and competency review, maintain CPR certification, and obtain continuing education needed to maintain credentials.
Remain flexible with assignments, staffing adjustments, and scheduled working hours; work weekends, holidays, and non-restricted call as needed.
Perform other departmental work as needed and seek assignments when the assigned area is not busy.