MONITOR TECHNICIAN - CENTRALIZED MONITORING

Status: PRN - As Needed

Shift: 6P PRN one shift per week

Exempt: No

Summary:

Aides in assessment of in-house patients by providing EKG monitoring to patients not physically present on a Unit with Central Monitors noting changes in rhythms and notifying appropriate persons as necessary. Also monitors SpO2 readings for ED and makes notifications to appropriate staff when indicated such as less than or equal to 92% unless parameters are changed by the district nurse. Works cooperatively with other team personnel while maintaining standards of professionalism.

Other information:

1. The monitor technician will be a high school graduate or have a diploma from an equivalent program. Successful completion of basic EKG course is required, within 3 months of employment. One year experience in a health related field is preferred and medical terminology is desirable.2Specialized or Technical Education Required:3Manual or Physical Skill Required:Walking and sitting most of the time. Good speech, hearing and sight (visual and color perception) are essential. Must pass hospital employment physical.4PHYSICAL EFFORT REQUIRED:Strength: Light Push: OccasionallyPull: OccasionallyCarry: OccasionallyLift: OccasionallySit: FrequentlyStand: FrequentlyWalk: Frequently

Responsibilities:

1. Cardiac/SpO2 Monitoring of Patients:A. Once nursing staff receives order for cardiac monitoring and or SpO2 monitoring (in designated area) the monitor tech enters the CSN number and verifies with the nurse patient location and name. Observes the cardiac monitors on a continuous basis, noting changes in patients' rhythms and notifying the appropriate personnel as necessary via Red/White PhoneB. Utilizes the "ECG REPORTABLE DYSRHYTHMIAS" sheet to report changes.Alarms are set per established protocol and should be adjusted per patient afterreceiving parameters from the nurse. Monitor technician should call the nurse when alarms need adjusting for parameters.C. Utilizes Clinical Access to save admission strips, ectopy strips, etc. Documentsin clinical access during times where monitor is in "Suspend Process Mode" and why.D.Maintains visual check on all monitors unless relieved by qualified personnel (one who has successfully completed a basic EKG course). If the Monitor Technician is leaving the station, visual contact must be assigned to another qualified personnel. This should be indicated in the log book.E.Identifies differences between normal sinus rhythm and various dysrhythmias including, but not limited to, the following: supra‑ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, first, second and third degree heart block, asystole, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, and paced rhythms.F. Maintains ECG monitor recall flow sheet. Recalls are performed for Telemetry,Surgery, Medicine, ED Boarder and ICA upon 4 hour intervals and faxed to thestations.All other ED patients that are not boarder patients will not have recalls, but willhave admission and ectopy strips saved in Clinical Access.2Assist in maintaining the safety of patients.A. Emergency i. Functions appropriately in an emergency situation, ii. Recognizes arrhythmias and follows through appropriately ‑‑ ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation. Notifies nurse closest to patient; activates Code Blue if instructed. For Medicine and Surgery Unit, also notifies Telemetry Charge Nurse. Saves event in Clinical Access in 2 leads V1 and lead 2.B.Admissions, Discharges, Procedures i. Places CSN number in the monitor as called by the station and verifies the correct patient matches the CSN number with the nurse in charge of the patient. ii. Selects appropriate "color coding" for each patient's rhythm as follows: iii. Red-DNR (Do not resuscitate) iv. Green-Do not intubate v. Purple-Coronary Artery Bypass patient vi. Yellow with purple spikes-Pacemaker vii. Cyan (White)-all patients other than surgery viii. Blue-Surgery ix. Utilizes 5 leads for all patients. x. Ensures that cardiac monitoring is started as soon as notification from the unit by giving the CSN. Ensures a dominant, clear rhythm is established. xi. Transmitter will be placed in monitor pouch and labeled with patient's last name and room number by the unit applying the pouch. xii. Upon initiating the telemetry monitor, the Monitor Tech will verify with the Admit Nurse patient's rate, rhythm and channel number. Admit Nurse documents this information in EPIC. xiii. Sets the alarms per specific guidelines and adjusts alarms specific to each patient after receiving confirmation from the nurse. This is documented in the logs. xiv. Maintains whereabouts of all patients from nursing unit/transport calls and documents the patient location on the log and places sticker on the screen. xv. Places the screen on "SUSPEND PROCESSING" when cardiac monitoring must be interrupted and this is documented on the suspend monitoring log and in Clinical Access. xvi. Resumes monitoring when the patient returns to the floor. xvii. At the beginning of the shift troubleshoots problems such as battery changes, lead changes or other monitor problems that can be fixed during inventory of monitors. xviii. Ensures proper removal, disinfection and storage of the cardiac monitor when it is discontinued.C.Equipment Safety i. Ensures that the equipment is maintained and functioning properly. ii. In the event of Clinical Access downtime alarm strips are sent to the printer in the room. Monitor techs will be responsible for sending these strips to the receiving unit for scanning into media manager. In event of Monitor outage or Clinical Access downtime, monitor tech will be responsible for notifying Bio-Med, Nursing Coordinator, Nursing Supervisor and Nursing Units so that appropriate downtime response can occur. iii. Assists in maintaining supply inventory (e.g. EKG paper, lead wires, batteries). iv. Reports problems in writing to the Charge Nurse, Coordinator or the Director. v. Completes Inventory Log. Searches for monitors and reports any lost monitors immediately to the unit responsible for location. Also reports to Coordinator of the Monitor Room and the responsible unit Charge Nurse.D.Employee Safetyi. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of infection control and isolation procedures.ii. Demonstrates a thorough knowledge of safety policy and procedures.iii. Attends annual fire and safety training.iv. Applies universal precautions and infection control policies in performance of work.v. Observes proper body mechanics in performing duties.3Performs Clerical Duties/Quality AssuranceA. Unit census log is completed each shift and updated for ED patients.B. White/Red phone QAC. Maintains paper in printer within the monitor room.D. Clinical Access is reviewed by monitor techs. Notification to specificnursing unit should occur when asterisks or noted due to patient notdischarged when transfer occurs to the unit or CSN numbers not evident.E. Responsible for faxing assignment sheets to each unit at the start of each shift.F. Responsible for faxing recall sheets to the appropriate units every 4 hoursFor Tele, Surgery, Medicine, ICA and ED boarder patients.E. Performs QA checks for the unit.4Performs Participates in Education ProgramsA.Attends in-service programs as provided.B.Attends Unit Meetings as directed.C.Satisfactory completion of competency lab each year.5Maintains Satisfactory CommunicationsA.Demonstrates clear and accurate lines of communication.B.Demonstrates listening and understanding with verbal and non-verbal responses.C.Demonstrates accuracy in verbal communication.D.Maintains confidentiality of patient and hospital.E.Extends courtesy and consideration for others in interpersonal and interdepartmental relationships.F.Offers assistance to patients, physicians, families and co-workers in a courteous and attentive manner.6Maintains an Employment Record in Accordance with Hospital Policies.A.Demonstrates professional manner in the work setting.B.Complies with attendance policies.C.Adheres to acceptable dress codes.7Follows North Oaks Health System's Compliance Programs and all Federal and State regulatory guidelines.8Is able to demonstrate competency in age specific criteria as applicable to job scope.