Unit Secretary / Monitor Tech

AHMC Healthcare•Whittier, CA

1d•$23 - $24

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 role assists with planning, implementing, and evaluating activities at the nursing station by performing clerical/receptionist and/or cardiac monitoring duties, and helps maintain the physical environment of the nursing unit. The position supports the hospital mission and vision, with emphasis on customer relations, and incorporates patients’ age, spiritual, and cultural diversity into unit communication and organization. This is a non-licensed position requiring the training and skills to interpret basic cardiac rhythms and recognize and alert the RN to significant rhythm changes or common dysrhythmias. The role contributes to safe, quality care and positive patient outcomes. Duties also include maintaining telemetry equipment and records, providing clerical support, and contributing to unit performance improvement and professional conduct expectations.

Requirements

High school graduate 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

Continuously observe telemetry monitoring oscilloscopes during the assigned shift, identify appropriate patient monitoring leads, and respond to monitor alarms.
Interpret cardiac rhythms, identify interference in monitor patterns, and take steps to correct it.
Ensure the monitor console is attended by a qualified person when leaving the area.
Identify leads II, MCL, and MCL6, and ensure appropriate electrode placement 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 assigned nurse, and present information to the attending physician when requested.
Give the oncoming Technician a report on patients’ 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 needed, including required cardiac measurements and observations.
Document reported rhythms, the nurse notified and notification time, and applicable vital signs.
Obtain a 10-second rhythm strip for patients reporting chest pain, post the strip, and document the pain and appropriate measurements.
Run a continuous strip during a cardiopulmonary arrest until the EKG Technician is running a strip at the bedside.
Make notes on trend rhythm strips or progress records reflecting cardiac activity alterations or lead changes.
Maintain the telemetry log for all monitored patients, including identifying information and monitoring start and end times.
Transcribe physician orders accurately and promptly, process orders, and ensure complete medical records are sent to HIM after discharge.
Receive documents and follow through appropriately on telephone inquiries; file chart forms, duplicate records as needed, order supplies, initiate maintenance requests, and complete requisitions and observation-patient charges.
File laboratory and radiology reports in medical records before physician rounds.
Clean telemetry equipment, replace recorder and printer paper as needed, report equipment malfunctions through the Engineering Department to Biomedical Engineering, and order or communicate supply needs.
Make telepaks when time permits to hold a monitor on a patient's gown.
Provide professional, courteous customer service, follow telephone protocol, respond promptly to inquiries, contribute to teamwork, maintain a positive attitude, and support a quiet nursing-station environment.
Participate in unit performance-improvement activities.
Demonstrate initiative, follow hospital and departmental policies, participate in team activities and staff meetings, communicate problems, request assistance appropriately, maintain confidentiality, and resolve problems as they arise.
Complete assigned work within the shift; comply with time and attendance policies; maintain a clean, neat work environment; and complete required safety, ethics, orientation, and in-service activities.
Demonstrate awareness of age-specific needs and culturally responsive communication, flexibility, empathy, respect, and awareness of communication needs.