AHD Telemetry Monitor Technician - Alameda Health System

SUMMARY: Monitors heart rhythm patterns of patients to detect, record and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns, normal and abnormal ECG interval measurements and proper and improper pacemaker or implantable defibrillator function utilizing telemetry equipment. This position has the authority to determine when heart rhythm patterns are normal, abnormal and/or life threatening and notifies nursing and medical staff appropriately. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

1.Reviews patient information to determine normal heart rhythm, current pattern, and prior variances.

2. Demonstrates correct placement of telemetry leads on patients to ensure accurate heart rhythm analysis; follow the Monitoring guideline.

3. Uses calipers to measure rate and ECG intervals of patients' heart rhythm patterns on graphic tape readout, analyzes the heart rhythm and records the information on patients' telemetry charts.

4. Observes the cardiac monitor and notifies the nursing and medical staff of any abnormal heart rhythm variances which indicate heart ischemia or an acute myocardial infarction.

5. Reviews the heart rhythm patterns and analyzes the function of pacemakers or implantable cardiac defibrillator. Notifies nursing of improper function.

6.Reviews patients' cardiac medication profiles. Notifies the nursing and medical staff of heart rhythm pattern variances or ECG interval variances that represent adverse reactions or toxic effects of medications.

7. Assembles and maintains patient telemetry charts from admission through discharge.

8. Verifies official physician telemetry order for each patient; responds to patient call lights and notifies nursing and/or medical staff; notifies nursing staff when leads are off.

9. Documents time of monitors for tests, procedures and showers; facilitates the process of obtaining physicians orders for telemetry.

10. Monitors heart rhythm pattern of patients in SDU and 5 EAST to detect abnormal pattern variances, using the Draeger system.

11. Observes screen of cardiac monitors and listens for alarm to identify abnormal variation in heart rhythm.

12. Measures and interprets patient's heart rhythm pattern and post information on the record book.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:Education: High school diploma. Minimum Experience: Three months of previous recent Telemetry experience. Required Licenses/Certifications: Certification in arrhythmia identification required or the certification may be substituted for one year of experience identifying heart rhythm pattern and subsequent in house certification. A Basic Life Support Health Care Provider card or obtain one within one month of hire; and demonstrated medical terminology, To obtain certification requires completion of a program in anatomy and physiology of the heart, heart rhythm pattern identification, measuring ECG intervals and arrhythmia analysis. Recertification in arrhythmia is an annual requirement.