Cardiac Telemetry Specialist

Overview

Cardiac Telemetry Specialist

PRN/OCC,Variable Hours Per Pay Period, Night Shift

Fort Sanders Regional Overview:

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a 444-bed hospital recognized for pairing clinical expertise with advanced medical technology to deliver exceptional care. As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, we provide leading-edge treatment for stroke recovery. Our facility also offers specialized services in bariatric surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive spine procedures, and advanced orthopedic care.

Fort Sanders Regional is part of Covenant Health, East Tennessee’s largest nonprofit health system and a Becker’s “Top 150 Places to Work in Healthcare.” Covenant Health includes nine hospitals and nearly 150 service locations, offering employees a comprehensive benefits package with tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, certification bonuses, and leadership development programs.

Position Summary:

Coordinates continuous cardiac and related monitoring and communication functions for the centralized telemetry control unit.  Functions as the primary interface for identification of cardiac rhythms, identification of abnormal and life-threatening rhythms and conditions, and communication of pertinent medical information to the appropriate patient care staff.  Responsible for assignment of cardiac telemetry equipment, cardiac rhythm interpretation and related documentation, activation of emergent response, and daily medical record updates.  Coordinates specific equipment maintenance and infection control practices for telemetry equipment. Maintains telemetry documentation for each patient on service, and assures ready access to information by nurses and physicians.  Responsible for maintaining EKG documentation on nursing units.

Responsibilities

• Assigns and distributes cardiac telemetry equipment to designated hospital staff.
• Retrieves cardiac telemetry equipment from nursing units as directed.
• Admits and discharges patients from the telemetry monitoring service.
• Maintains cardiac related equipment in a state of readiness in coordination with Bio Medical Engineering staff.
• Utilizes computer monitoring equipment to track and record electrocardiogram for patients admitted to the hospital.
• Troubleshoots cardiac related computer equipment in coordination with Bio Medical Engineering and manufacturers guidelines.
• Interprets and documents cardiac rhythms according to internal and external standards.
• Identifies life threatening cardiac rhythms and institutes proper emergency procedures.
• Maintains patient related documentation.
• Performs quality assurance activities as related to cardiac telemetry services.
• Communicates, as directed by standing order and protocol, and by specific authorization, EKG rhythm status, rhythm changes, abnormal rhythm disturbances, and other EKG anomalies, to the proper nursing and supervisory staff.
• Utilizes telephone, computer, pagers, and other communication systems.
• Performs decontamination and disinfection of patient related equipment as directed by policy.
• Document/maintain patient record as appropriate. Enter charges into computer when appropriate. Retrieve lab work.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:           

None specified; will accept any combination of formal education and/or prior work experience sufficient to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and ability needed to perform the essential tasks of the job, typically such as would be equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.  Preference may be given to individuals possessing a HS diploma or GED.

Minimum Experience:         

None

Licensure Requirement:      

LPN, Paramedic, or Equivalent training/experience may be accepted in lieu of EKG Technician Certification. CPR required.