Telemetry Monitor Technician

Alameda Health System•Oakland, CA

54d

About The Position

Job Summary: Monitors heart rhythm patterns of patients to detect, record and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns, normal and abnormal ECG interval measurements and proper and improper pacemaker or implantable defibrillator function utilizing telemetry equipment. This position has the authority to determine when heart rhythm patterns are normal, abnormal and/or life threatening and notifies nursing and medical staff appropriately. Performs related duties as required.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent.
Three months of previous recent Telemetry experience.
EKG/ECG Certification: to obtain certification requires completion of a program in anatomy and physiology of heart, heart rhythm pattern identification, measuring ECG intervals and arrhythmia analysis. Recertification in arrhythmia is an annual requirement.
Basic Life Support Health Care Provider card or obtain one within one month of hire.

Responsibilities

Assembles and maintains patient telemetry charts from admission through discharge.
Demonstrates correct placement of telemetry leads on patients to ensure accurate heart rhythm analysis; follow the Monitoring guideline.
Documents time of monitors for tests, procedures and showers; facilitates the process of obtaining physicians orders for telemetry.
Measures and interprets patient's heart rhythm pattern and post information on the record book.
Monitors heart rhythm pattern of patients in SDU to detect abnormal pattern variances, using the Draeger system.
Observes screen of cardiac monitors and listens for alarm to identify abnormal variation in heart rhythm.
Observes the cardiac monitor and notifies the nursing and medical staff of any abnormal heart rhythm variances which indicate heart ischemia or an acute myocardial infarction.
Reviews patient information to determine normal heart rhythm, current pattern, and prior variances.
Reviews patients' cardiac medication profiles. Notifies the nursing and medical staff of heart rhythm pattern variances or ECG interval variances that represent adverse reactions or toxic effects of medications.
Reviews the heart rhythm patterns and analyzes the function of pacemakers or implantable cardiac defibrillator. Notifies nursing of improper function.
Uses calipers to measure rate and ECG intervals of patients' heart rhythm patterns on graphic tape readout, analyzes the heart rhythm and records the information on patients' telemetry charts.
Verifies official physician telemetry order for each patient; responds to patient call lights and notifies nursing and/or medical staff; notifies nursing staff when leads are off.