Telemetry Technician

Gives/accepts shift report to provide accurate and current patient information with each shift change.

Assists with the answering of unit telephones, patient call lights and/or visitor inquiries in a professional and courteous manner.

Keeps assigned work area neat and clean at all times. Provides for the safe and proper disposal of monitor batteries.

Pulls six (6) seconds strips every four (4) hours - or as often as needed, with documentation of rate and rhythm to capture arrhythmias and/or changes in the patient's rhythm. Immediately reports any change to the charge nurse.

Ensures patient's safety by accurately identifying patient's name and room number on post strips.

Ensures that central screens are monitored at all times.

Facilitates proper utilization of telemetry by alerting the charge nurse of missing orders and/or prolonged monitoring of stable rhythms.

Immediately informs Biomedical Engineering of any malfunctioning equipment and maintains appropriate records of repair.

Communicates and coordinates with environmental services when area needs cleaning and/or dead battery receptacle is in need of emptying.

Cooperates in temporary reassignment to other units/tasks when necessary to meet patient care needs.

Assists in orientation of new staff members.

Keeps alarms on at all times with appropriate high and low settings.

Assures that the assigned telemetry box is on the assigned patient; knows location of all unit transmitter boxes and includes in change of shift report.

Knows location of all monitored patients at all times.

Understands normal parameters for safe monitoring of patient (newborn, infant, children, adolescent, adult and geriatric) and collaborates with the charge nurse for individual settings.

Changes batteries and/or leads of patient monitoring devices as needed.

Informs Registered Nurse if leads need to be changed on patient.

Cleans telemetry packs when patient is discharged.

Suspends alarms when patient leaves the unit and resumes as patient returns.

Willingly participates in educational opportunities.

CPR certification required.

High school graduate or equivalent. Successful completion of didactic and clinical base EKG examinations. Score of 90% or better on rhythm test.

2 years experience required or certfied EKG technician.