Lead Telemetry Technician - Flagstaff Medical Center

Northern Arizona Healthcare•Flagstaff, AZ

11d

About The Position

The Lead Telemetry Technician, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, Director, and Clinical Manager, conducts and documents ongoing observations of patient cardiac rhythms. The role serves as the supervisory liaison between Telemetry Monitor Technicians and the Clinical Manager and/or Director. The position monitors, reviews, measures, and documents cardiac rhythms; identifies and reports abnormal rhythms and other concerning monitor readings; and communicates cardiac events and changes to nursing staff. It also supports telemetry equipment and EKG operations, including troubleshooting equipment, replacing failed leads, preparing telemetry admissions, and ensuring telemetry packs have working batteries. Administrative and leadership duties include communicating leadership information and staff needs, developing staff schedules and training plans, pairing new technicians with preceptors, addressing workflow and documentation issues, supporting evaluations, and coaching staff. The Lead Technician partners with clinical and education leaders to support training, performance improvement, policy compliance, and safe work practices.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Complete CDA Level 1 during the three-month probation period; organizational support is provided.
Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association.
At least two years of experience in telemetry monitoring.
Understanding of computers and competence using computers and basic software programs.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation of rhythm measurements and communication.
Comply with applicable regulations and company policies and complete required training.

Nice To Haves

Previous healthcare or patient-care experience.
CCT, CET, NCET, NRCEKG, or CRAT certification.

Responsibilities

Preliminarily review and interpret patient cardiac rhythm patterns.
Continuously observe cardiac rhythms at rest, during physical activity, and during medications or interventions that may affect cardiac function.
Measure and interpret cardiac rhythms every six hours and record the data.
Perform Q2-hour checks on patient rate and rhythm and document them appropriately.
Monitor rhythms to detect, record, and report normal and abnormal patterns.
Communicate cardiac events and changes, SpO2 lows, and high or low blood pressure readings to floor staff.
Assess interval measurements and proper or improper pacemaker and implantable defibrillator function using telemetry monitoring equipment.
Identify and troubleshoot failures in monitoring and testing equipment and systems.
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary care team by communicating rhythm abnormalities, changes, and significant events.
Prepare medical record information, print labels and face sheets, copy rhythm sheets, and stock supplies.
Assess telemetry lead failures and replace leads in collaboration with nursing staff.
Review and obtain orders for 12-lead EKGs and ensure orders are correctly entered and loaded into the EMR.
Ensure telemetry packs have new or working batteries when used by patients.
Place leads and set up monitors for telemetry admissions.
Obtain a list of nurses assigned to monitored patients at the beginning of each shift.
Communicate by telephone with assigned Registered Nurses about patient admissions and discharges.
Communicate admission rhythms, rhythm changes, dysrhythmias, and out-of-range vital signs displayed on monitors to Registered Nurses.
Discuss alarm-setting changes with Registered Nurses.
Overhead-page floor staff when critical events occur and document communications with Registered Nurses.
Communicate information from leadership to telemetry staff and staff needs to the Clinical Manager and/or Director.
Provide feedback to the Clinical Manager regarding staff evaluations and assist with evaluations.
Develop the Telemetry Technician staff schedule and assist staff with schedule requests.
Pair preceptors with newly hired Telemetry Technicians and develop training schedules for new staff.
Address workflow issues, ensure incidents are appropriately documented, and ensure corrective steps are taken.
Demonstrate knowledge of NAH and department policies and procedures and support compliance with best practices.
Communicate educational needs of new and existing staff to the Clinical Manager and/or an Educational Department Representative.
Participate in evaluating new employees with the precepting Technician, education staff, and Clinical Manager.
Partner with the Education Department and/or manager to teach the Telemetry Technician Training Program.
Monitor staff performance, ensure accountability, and provide timely constructive feedback and coaching.
Identify performance improvement opportunities and provide resources and education as needed.
Recognize strong employee performance and improvements.
Collaborate with the Clinical Manager on employee performance evaluations and staff performance matters.
Coach nursing staff and provide input to the nursing manager regarding employment actions, including evaluations, promotion, corrective action, and termination.
Report safety-related incidents promptly through the Midas/RDE tool, attend required safety training, work safely, and monitor the work environment for safety issues.
Comply with applicable state and federal regulations, statutes, and company policies.
Keep required certifications and licenses current, complete mandatory modules and job-specific training on time, and maintain timely, accurate rhythm and communication documentation.