MONITOR TECH

Independence Health System; Latrobe (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System seeks a Telemetry Monitor Technician to watch telemetry screens and analyze cardiac rhythms, reporting arrhythmias to the attending nurse. The role supports indirect patient care and documentation, coordinating with the care team to ensure timely data transmission and patient safety.

The incumbent will assist in education, participate in performance improvement activities, and maintain equipment and supply readiness for continuous monitoring across units.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Responsibilities

• Collects, documents and reports ongoing telemetry data on each patient monitored.
• Appropriately sends data and rhythm strips to unit to be placed on the patient’s chart.
• Acts in accordance of established procedure in the notification of nursing units of arrhythmias.
• Maintains a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes.
• Communicates pertinent information at shift reports to coworkers.
• Reports changes in patient's cardiac rhythm to the RN, LPN or Physician.
• Utilizes the computer to access windows monitoring patients for arrhythmias and events.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

BLS Certification

Job description

• Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations.

Job Summary/Overall Objectives

The Telemetry Monitor Technician monitors the cardiac rhythm of the patients on telemetry monitors, analyzes and reports any arrhythmias to the staff nurse caring for the patient.

Essential Job Functions

• Contributes to the delivery of indirect patient care within the parameters established by hospital policy, procedure, protocols and standards of care.
  • Collects, documents and reports ongoing telemetry data on each patient monitored.
  • Appropriately sends data and rhythm strips to unit to be placed on the patient’s chart.
  • Acts in accordance of established procedure in the notification of nursing units of arrhythmias.
  • Complies with completeness, accuracy and timeliness of documentation.
• Assists in developing an educational process for the provision and coordination of patient care activities that promote and maintain health, foster self-care and improve outcomes.
  • Assists the RN in care of the patient by communicating patient arrhythmias and helping to address monitor problems involving the care of the patient on telemetry.
• Maintains a collaborative relationship with physicians and other health care providers to achieve desired patient outcomes and assure a continuous flow of patient care.
  • Communicates pertinent information at shift reports to coworkers.
  • Reports changes in patient's cardiac rhythm to the RN, LPN or Physician.
  • Contacts Bio-Med regarding problems with maintenance of monitoring equipment.
  • Utilizes the computer to access windows monitoring patients for arrhythmias and events.
• Participates in the unit performance improvement activities designed to enhance the quality of patient care and customer services.
  • Assists in data collection process as requested.
  • Recommends modifications for performance improvement.
• Demonstrates leadership by utilizing the behavior inherent to the role of the telemetry monitor technician.
  • Demonstrates an ability to interpret and analyze rhythm strips.
  • Seeks guidance and direction as appropriate from the PCU RN.
  • Maintains accountability for actions taken.
  • Performs effectively in the role of preceptor/mentor to new hires.
  • Assists in maintaining/decreasing organizational/departmental costs.
• Assists in the department’s compliance with State, JCAHO, OSHA and other regulatory agencies.
  • Participates in continuous survey readiness for inspections and surveys.
  • Adheres to the infection control process, including standard precautions, to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting infections.
  • Oversees that sufficient and proper supplies are maintained on the unit for monitoring of patients.
• Provides for patient safety in compliance with hospital and nursing department policies.
  • Assumes appropriate code team role during code situations.
• Responds effectively during emergency situations, including internal and external disasters.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Recent work experience in cardiac, telemetry, or EKG, medical assistant, EMT or paramedic.
• Basic computer skills.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Completion of Basic Arrhythmia Course or Cardiac Rhythm Interpretation class within 45 days of hire or transfer.
• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines.

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Physical Condition

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Bending (Stooping)

• x
• x

Sitting

• x
• x

Walking

• x
• x

Climbing Stairs

• x
• x

Climbing Ladders

• x
• x

Standing

• x
• x

Kneeling

• x
• x

Squatting (Crouching)

• x
• x

Twisting/Turning

• x
• x

Keyboard/Computer Operation

• x
• x

Gross Grasp

• x
• x

Fine Finger Manipulation

• x
• x

Hand/Arm Coordination

• x
• x

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

• x
• x

Carry

• x
• 10#

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

• x
• 10#

Seeing Near w/Acuity

• x
• x

Feeling (Sensation)

• x
• x

Color Vision

• x
• x

Hearing Clearly

• x
• x

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

• x
• x

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

• x
• x

Reaching Forward

• x
• x

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

• x
• 10#

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

• x
• x

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

• x
• 10#

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

• x
• x

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.