Monitor Surveillance Clerk Emergency Department

Responsibilities

• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Records and mounts rhythm strips of patients on cardiac arrhythmia monitors; measures heart rate, PR interval, QRS complexes & QT intervals per unit standards as necessary; records heart rates; observes central cardiac monitors constantly for arrhythmias & changes in blood pressure &/or respiration; report SaO2 alarms, reports changes in patient to health care provider or nurse.
• Observes central monitors for arrhythmia during insertion of pacing catheters & hemodynamic catheters; reports changes in patient to health care provider or nurse.
• Assists staff in emergencies as directed; entering orders such as stat ECG orders notifies appropriate personnel of emergency situations; follows established emergency protocol; remains calm throughout such procedures.
• Observes effects of various medications in relationship to arrhythmia; reports effects to health care provider or nurse; observes and documents all pertinent information/data during unit code. Reports pertinent information to incoming staff before leaving monitor station.
• Answers Med radio and phones, assists visitors with questions and requests not pertaining to patient's condition or care.
• Updates telemetry unit patient census board on patient admissions and discharges. Make sure in telemetry 2 nurses sign off strips on admitted patients.
• Labels & distributes trend reports on each patient for past eight hours, as required.
• Applies safety principles/standards as defined by hospital to patient, environment and employee issues; practices w/in nursing department & unit-specific standards, policies, procedures, protocol & guidelines.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient/hospital information & principles/standards.
• Signs off on all arrhythmia sheets; assists in initiation of shift report for nursing staff; Validate code status at the beginning of every shift, prepares report for oncoming cardiac monitor technician; records patient data/events in medical record; completes other forms & documentation according to unit standards & procedures.
• Reports incidents, work related injuries, unsafe &/or malfunctioning equipment or environment to supervisor or other appropriate personnel; contacts biomedical for assistance w/ equipment problems, as needed and according to protocol.
• Admits patients to central station, and completes EDM EMS reception routine to get ambulance.
• Cleans monitor boxes and corresponding wires; maintains sign out lists for various equipment; maintains & orders necessary supplies
• Refers to department, unit and other reference manuals/books when necessary.
• Assists in orientation of newly hired monitor surveillance clerks.
• Maintains necessary certification; attends meetings as assigned; participates in nursing research activities, projects, & peer evaluations when requested.
• NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.