Unit Secretary / Monitor Tech

AHMC Healthcare•Whittier, CA

About The Position

The Monitor Tech/Unit Secretary reports to the Nursing Unit Director and receives assignment and direction from the Charge Nurse or Registered Nurse. The position assists with planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing-station activities through clerical/receptionist duties and/or cardiac monitoring, and helps maintain the physical environment of the nursing unit. The role supports the hospital’s mission and vision, with an emphasis on customer relations, and applies awareness of patients’ age, spiritual needs, and cultural diversity to unit communication and organization. This is a non-licensed position. Training and skills enable the employee to interpret basic cardiac rhythms and recognize and alert the RN to significant rhythm changes or common dysrhythmias. The position contributes to safe, quality care and positive patient outcomes. Duties also include unit clerical work, telemetry equipment upkeep, customer service, participation in performance improvement, and professional development and conduct.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent preferred.
Current BLS certification required.
Demonstrated competency or successful completion of a Monitor Technician course required.

Nice To Haves

One year of acute care experience as a Monitor Technician preferred.

Responsibilities

Consistently observe telemetry monitoring oscilloscopes during the assigned shift, select appropriate monitoring leads, answer computer alarms, interpret rhythms, identify and correct interference, and ensure the console is attended by a qualified person when stepping away.
Identify leads II, MCL, and MCL6, and identify and ensure placement of electrodes for optional monitoring on admission and as needed.
Communicate with physicians and nurses about telemetry patients; report specified dysrhythmias or rhythm changes to the Charge Nurse and/or the nurse assigned to the patient.
Present information to the attending physician as requested and give the oncoming technician a report on patient rhythms at the end of the shift.
Accurately document, record, and charge for telemetry services; print and post trend records every eight hours and rhythm strips as necessary, with the specified cardiac measurements and rhythm information.
Document rhythms reported to the Charge Nurse or team leader, including the nurse notified and notification time, and vital signs when applicable.
Obtain a 10-second rhythm strip for patients reporting chest pain, post the strip, and document the pain and appropriate P-R and QRS measurements.
Run a continuous strip during a cardiopulmonary arrest until the EKG Technician is running a strip at the bedside.
Annotate trend recordings, rhythm strips, or progress records to reflect changes in cardiac activity or lead changes; maintain the telemetry log for all patients, including identifying and monitoring details.
Accurately transcribe physician orders in a timely manner and process orders.
Ensure the complete medical record is sent to HIM after discharge; receive documents and follow through on telephone inquiries; file chart forms and Lab and Radiology reports; duplicate records as needed; complete order requisitions and observation-patient charges.
Order supplies and follow through on maintenance requests; communicate supply needs; maintain a clean and neat work environment.
Clean telemetry monitoring equipment with bleach disinfectant towels, change recorder and printer paper as needed, and notify Biomedical Engineering through the Engineering Department of equipment malfunctions.
When time permits, make telepaks to hold a monitor on the patient’s gown.
Conduct interactions professionally and in accordance with Target 100 standards; use appropriate telephone protocol and respond promptly and pleasantly to inquiries.
Contribute to teamwork, assist coworkers when needed, offer constructive suggestions, maintain a positive attitude, and help maintain a quiet nursing-station environment.
Strive to understand, anticipate, and meet the needs and expectations of patients and other customers.
Remain aware of and participate in unit performance-improvement activities.
Demonstrate initiative, willingness to perform additional duties in different department areas as needed, and the philosophy of teamwork; participate in group projects and staff meetings.
Follow hospital and departmental policies; communicate problems with equipment, supplies, or procedures to the supervisor and request assistance as appropriate; maintain confidentiality and work to resolve problems.
Project a positive professional image, complete assigned work within the shift, comply with time and attendance policy, and complete safety, ethics, general, and departmental orientation requirements within established time frames.
Attend 75% of staff meetings or read and initial the minutes, and attend 75% of in-service programs.
Apply awareness of age-specific patient and family needs and demonstrate culturally responsive flexibility, empathy, respect, and awareness of communication needs.
Demonstrate unit-specific competencies in order transcription and processing and arrhythmia recognition.