Monitor Tech-Coronary

Working under the supervision of the Unit Clinical Manager, coordinates technical care provisions for ICU and all areas of need in the hospital.  Provides Monitor Technician support/relief for breaks/meals during scheduled working hours.  Assists in covering sick/vacation hours for Monitor Technicians and Unit Clerks.  Performs patient care activities under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, if patient care certification.  Responds to supply and equipment requests, routinely restocks designated supplies in CICU rooms and designated areas. Contact CPC to obtain STAT EKGs when delegated by an RN. Assists in provision of care of patients from adolescent through geriatric aged patients.

1. Performs basic monitoring functions with component central monitoring station including, but not limited to:
   1. admitting and discharging from the Central Monitor and assigning arrhythmia monitoring, if needed,
   2. adjusting alarm limits at the RN’s direction, validating alarms, changing paced status, and turning alarms on/off,
   3. printing strip recordings at intervals per routine orders, printing strip recordings of alarms, and assuring that any changes in conduction, rhythm, or rate requiring immediate attention are reviewed by an RN. Mounting routine and alarm records for review by nursing staff, and posting of reviewed strip sheets to the appropriate patient chart (CICU) or unit (PCU or telemetry) daily,
   4. troubleshooting monitor problems and contacting Bio Med for repairs as appropriate,
   5. pages appropriate floor to notify nursing staff of need for assessment of patient arrhythmia, no signal, low battery, etc.
2. Assembles new patient charts, maintains current patient charts, and breaks down patient charts on dismissal.  Posts appropriate reports to patient chart.  Keeps charts supplied with adequate Doctor’s Order Sheets.   Thins charts as needed and makes copies of necessary chart information for out of hospital transfers of patients.
3.  Monitors patient charts for new orders and notifies nursing personnel of orders requiring immediate attention. Scans, faxes and transcribes physician orders per hospital policy.  Through computer order entry, and other communication as needed, notifies department or staff and schedules ordered tests, procedures, consults, dietary needs, equipment repairs, etc.
4.  Performs receptionist and secretarial support for unit.  Greets and directs unit visitors, clergy, and other health care personnel to assigned rooms.  Utilizes telephone and paging systems.  Answers patient call system.  Relays calls, messages, and patient requests to the appropriate people.  Clerical duties include posting charges, ordering supplies, filing, and printing forms.  Generates and maintains work orders to Plant Operations and Maintenance.
5. Cleans and maintains specialized equipment (e.g., tele boxes, monitor cables and modules) as directed by the Unit Manager or designee.  Restocks CICU rooms and/or designated areas.
6. Answers call lights to determine patient needs, responds to patient requests, and/or relays to RN responsible for patient’s care.  Transfers patients, beds, and patient care equipment to other rooms while adhering to safety requirements. 
7.  Transports dismissed patients from patient room to vehicle, making appropriate stops (e.g., dismissal desk for arrangement of payment) according to dismissal procedures.  Transports patients from Admissions and Emergency area to patient room, as appropriate.
8.  Provides assistance in unit activities such as meal tray checking and passing as necessary.

• Ability to read and write English, comprehend and communicate complicated verbal and written instructions, basic arithmetic skills for supply ordering and heart rate calculation at a level normally acquired through completion of high school.
• Approximately one to three months on-the-job experience to learn heart rhythms, operation of the central station monitors, order transcription and computer order entry, and become familiar with unit routines.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to gather and exchange factual information with physicians, patients, visitors, clergy and other health care personnel in a courteous manner.
• Analytical skills in order to recognize, interpret, and report life threatening changes on the central monitors and to solve simple malfunctions of the central monitors. Also, analytical skills necessary to organize work, gather, collate and interpret data related to patient transport or transfer.
• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention for up to 80% work time when monitoring central station, entering and transcribing orders, answering the telephone, and talking with physicians and staff.
• Ability to be on feet and walk up to 80% of work time when not at monitoring station; ability to push and/or pull 200 pounds, and lift up to 50 pounds for up to 10% of work time when position patients, moving equipment and so forth.

Working Conditions

• Frequent exposure to high noise level (up to 50%) due to multiple alarm sounds from central monitors, ventilators, telephones and other specialized equipment.
• Normal patient care environment with minimal exposure (up to 10%) to infectious diseases, hazardous chemicals, dust, temperature and so forth.