Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG) - Sinai

Aurora Health Care; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is seeking a patient-focused ECG technician to perform diagnostic tests including ECGs with posterior and right-sided leads, Holter monitoring, and event monitoring. You will prepare skin and leads, document data accurately in the EMR, and support physicians with timely follow-up.

The role requires a High School Diploma, completion of an ECG interpretation course within a year, and BLS certification if required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Completion of an approved basic ECG interpretation course within one year of hire.
• No experience required.
• BLS certification within 6 months if required by department.
• Good communication and basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic tests: ECGs (including posterior and right-sided), Holter monitor application, event monitoring, and other cardiac monitoring.
• Prepare skin and place leads for tests and stress testing; ensure data integrity in EMR storage.
• Screen calls, interview patients, monitor critical values, and arrange follow-up with physicians.
• Recognize normal and abnormal waveforms; communicate with medical staff about critical values.
• Assist with processing medical information, billing, and sharing pertinent clinical data via EMR; ensure HIPAA compliance.
• Calibrate and troubleshoot ECG/stress equipment; report issues to IT or clinical engineering.
• Provide basic education on cardiac testing and follow-up with medical staff as needed.
• Assist with patient positioning and transporting; adhere to proper lifting techniques.
• Must demonstrate knowledge to provide age-appropriate care; understand growth and development across lifespan as per department standards.

Skills

Good communication skills

Basic computer skills

Ability to quickly change priorities

Education

High School Diploma

ECG interpretation course (within 1 year)

Tools

BLS Certification

Job description

• Performs the following diagnostic tests: electrocardiograms, including posterior and right sided ECG's, Holter monitor application, event monitoring and other cardiac monitoring systems (e.g. ambulatory blood pressure monitoring) based on services provided and/or physician request.
• Performs appropriate skin preparation and lead placement for all tests including stress testing, ensures documentation is accurate and contains all necessary data elements when entering the patient information in the computer systems and equipment, obtains routine measurements, prepares information for physician interpretation, and ensures electronic medical record storage when appropriate.
• Screens patient calls, interviews patients and follows critical test values, documents information and notifies appropriate sources, records and instructs patients on cardiac event monitoring and sets up calls for follow-up with the physician.
• Recognizes routine wave forms, artifact and serious changes in patient rhythms. Communicates with medical staff when uncertain of rhythm or when critical test values arise.
• Assists with processing medical information, editing, billing, filing, and copying and acts as a resource to provide pertinent clinical information to other staff and physicians utilizing the electronic medical record ensuring patient safety and HIPAA guidelines are adhered to.
• Cleans, stocks and ensures the integrity of the systems and recognizes mechanical or technical abnormalities. Performs calibration and troubleshooting procedures on ECG and/or stress equipment and communicates problems to information services or clinical engineering.
• Provides basic education on cardiac testing and ensures appropriate follow up with medical staff as needed.
• Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Major Responsibilities

• Performs the following diagnostic tests: electrocardiograms, including posterior and right sided ECG's, Holter monitor application, event monitoring and other cardiac monitoring systems (e.g. ambulatory blood pressure monitoring) based on services provided and/or physician request.
• Performs appropriate skin preparation and lead placement for all tests including stress testing, ensures documentation is accurate and contains all necessary data elements when entering the patient information in the computer systems and equipment, obtains routine measurements, prepares information for physician interpretation, and ensures electronic medical record storage when appropriate.
• Screens patient calls, interviews patients and follows critical test values, documents information and notifies appropriate sources, records and instructs patients on cardiac event monitoring and sets up calls for follow-up with the physician.
• Recognizes routine wave forms, artifact and serious changes in patient rhythms. Communicates with medical staff when uncertain of rhythm or when critical test values arise.
• Assists with processing medical information, editing, billing, filing, and copying and acts as a resource to provide pertinent clinical information to other staff and physicians utilizing the electronic medical record ensuring patient safety and HIPAA guidelines are adhered to.
• Cleans, stocks and ensures the integrity of the systems and recognizes mechanical or technical abnormalities. Performs calibration and troubleshooting procedures on ECG and/or stress equipment and communicates problems to information services or clinical engineering.
• Provides basic education on cardiac testing and ensures appropriate follow up with medical staff as needed.
• Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required

• High School Graduate.

Experience Required

• No experience required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Completion of an approved basic ECG interpretation course required within one year of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly change priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Good communication skills to work effectively with physicians, patients and other staff members.
• Basic computer skills.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must be able to:
• -lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• -lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• -carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• -push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• -perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Must have ability to use hands for fine manipulation, specifically in application of electrodes.
• Must have functional hearing and speech ability for effective communication as well as good vision and touch for performing tasks.
• Exposed to patients as well as potential for exposure to electrical hazards so must have ability to wear protective clothing as needed.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Any exceptions to the above mental and physical requirements must be documented through employee health.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.