Summary

SUMMARY: The SLH Unit Clerk/Monitor Tech. contributes to patient care by performing clerical tasks directly and indirectly related to patient care and unit functioning. 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.  Transcribes physician’s orders to appropriate medical record and other forms promptly and accurately.  Completes request forms/orders entry for diagnostic tests, consultations, referrals. Schedules special tests with in-house and outside agencies and documents appointments.  Makes arrangements for patient transport to outside agencies and departments.

2.  Completes patient admission charts.  Processes, pulls and prepares charts for patient transfer or discharge pursuant to hospital policies and procedures.  Prepares chart and kardex on admission.  Assembles and ensures proper chart maintenance and patient information in proper order. Compiles discharged patient’s chart and puts into proper order. Reviews face sheet for errors. Orders outpatient or old charts and ensures receipts. Records changes in physician or other basic data and updates in computer system; files final reports of diagnostic tests promptly in right chart; maintains inpatient chart by thinning, preparing new forms, etc.  Copy and processes charts and other documents as directed by Department Leader or charge RN.  Documents time for tests and procedures.

3.  Communicates changes in patient information to Admitting Department and Charge RN/Department Leader. Communicates pertinent physician orders to RN and/or charge RN.  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

4.  Answers phones in unit and manages calls appropriately.  Takes phone reports (Non-Critical values) from lab, diagnostic imaging, and other departments accurately, and delivers to proper nurse.  Refers all calls from physicians to appropriate nursing staff.  Answers nurse call console and refers patient calls to appropriate person.

5.  Uses manual system/downtime process when system/computer is down. Reports maintenance problems immediately.

6.  Maintains inventory of unit supplies; orders non-stock items as directed; orders stock items to maintain par level; maintains inventory of unit/departmental/hospital forms and chart; transport/arranges for transport of supplies and equipment between units or departments as needed. Picks-up non-controlled medications from pharmacy, and supplies/equipment from other departments.

7.  Completes required in-services/competency annually; participates in orientation of new clerical staff.

8.  While monitoring Telemetry Monitors, recognizes and reports cardiac rhythms to the Registered Nurse or Charge Nurse assigned to the patient.  Observes screen of cardiac monitors and listens for alarm to identify abnormal variation in heart rhythm, then notifies the nursing and medical staff of any abnormal heart rhythm variances. Measures and interprets patient’s heart rhythm pattern and posts monitoring strips per hospital policy. Reviews patient information to determine normal heart rhythm, current pattern, and prior variances. Reviews the heart rhythm patterns and analyzes the function of pacemakers or implantable cardiac defibrillator. Notifies nursing of improper function. 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. Responsible for cleaning and maintaining heart monitoring equipment and ensuring batteries are charged and properly installed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High School diploma or equivalent. 

Minimum Experience: Three months of previous recent Telemetry experience. 

Required Licenses/Certifications: BLS - Basic Life Support Certification - issued by AHA-American Heart Association or obtain one within one month of hire.

Preferred Licenses/Certifications: EKG/ECG Certification: to obtain certification requires completion of a program in anatomy and physiology of heart, heart rhythm pattern identification, measuring ECG intervals and arrhythmia analysis.