Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Department: Cardiology Clinic

Position is located: Northern Light Cardiology

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Summary:

The Cardiac Technician will function in the role of ECG, Stress, Device, or Event/Holter Technician. The Cardiac Technician is responsible for coordinating the patient flow to obtain requested tracings and vital signs for imaging and non-imaging studies in a fast-paced environment. This is achieved through order verification, Quality Assurance of the monitoring and ECG/Stress Testing equipment, proper patient identification and obtaining appropriate tracings following approved policies and protocols. This is to include proper patient preparation and education which may begin prior to the patient arrival. The technician may be involved in part of a procedural team. The technician will treat patients of all age groups which includes infancy, pediatrics, adults and geriatrics. The technician must be knowledgeable of age specific protocols. The technician must be flexible to cover a variety of shifts with weekend, holiday and non-restricted call duties required as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates initiative by seeking assignments when the assigned area is not busy. Performs other work of the department as needed.
• Demonstrates continuous cooperativeness with the supervisor's instructions and co-workers. Voluntarily assists co-workers. Promotes positive morale by remaining focused on work and building team relationships. Cooperates with all personnel in the proper conduct of the department to maximize the function of the department.
• Wears radiation monitoring devices in accordance with State regulations and ALARA program.
• Strives to improve interdepartmental and intradepartmental communications to promote total quality care of the patient. Evaluates current processes and recommends changes to supervisor and/or Director that will improve operations.
• Maintains a calm, knowledgeable demeanor; keeps composure under stressful situations.
• Conforms to accepted professional standards of attitude and behavior. Communicates a professional image through non-verbal behavior, cleanliness, and proper department attire. Collaborates effectively with all physicians, hospital personnel, department staff and customers.
• Remains flexible and willingly accepts changes in assignments, scheduled working hours, etc.
• Assists in the orientation and training of students and new employees.
• Makes timely and appropriate decisions and acts through empowerment to handle situations to resolution and/or refers to appropriate person when necessary. Channels suggestions, criticisms, and questions to appropriate person in a constructive manner.
• Serves as a role model and resource for staff. Provides assistance to other team members.
• Minimizes patient delays and is flexible when calling for inpatients to ensure the exam room is ready upon the patient's arrival. Makes a deliberate effort to meet the clinical requests of all providers.
• Communicates effectively, giving attention to the physical comfort, privacy and sensitivity to patient's needs utilizing service recovery as appropriate. Uses proper grammar and terminology. Establishes a rapport with the patients using language appropriate to the age of the listener.
• Provides a clean and orderly work area. Arranges for equipment maintenance when needed. Ensures availability of emergency supplies in each exam room. Restocks supplies as needed.
• Reports and files all patient incidents and HIPAA compliance reports immediately within the online system.
• Coordinates patient care activities with other sections of the department and other patient care areas. Provides patient preps when needed. Assists with patient transport when necessary. Notifies the appropriate personnel to release/return the patient upon completion of their procedure.
• Takes ownership for determining customer needs and offering ways to help. Interacts effectively with patients and families to promote customer satisfaction. Practices service recovery. Anticipates and alleviates situations which could result in patient/customer complaints. Provides a copy of the CRG letter as required. Encourages patient feedback.
• Educates the patient about the procedure, providing explanations to patient's questions as needed.
• Responds to requests for ECG procedures promptly and according to established response time standards.
• Ensures availability of ECG machine for designated units.
• Performs 12 Lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) per protocol.
• Responds to requests for stress testing procedures promptly and according to established response time standards.
• Responds to requests for ECPs and/ or ABI therapy procedures promptly and according to established response time frames.
• Responds to requests for Event/Holter monitor applications promptly and according to established response time standards.
• Prepares monitors and patients for optimum recording of interpretable tracings.
• Assists Physician in interpretation of the event/Holter tracings.
• Schedules the trans-telephonic pacemaker checks according to protocol.
• Acquires EGMs via trans-telephonic pacemaker checks for physician extender and physician review.
• Set up new pacemaker implant patients with transmitters and follow up appointments as needed.
• Performs confirmation calls and data entry for pacemaker and ICD clinics.
• Assist physicians and/or physician extenders with the pacemaker and ICD clinics by preparing the patient and connecting to the correct pacemaker programmer.
• Verifies patient identification by two methods and documents patient verified on tech completion in electronic medical record or on proper form.
• Ensures that a Licensed Practitioner has ordered the exam via electronic, written order or verbal confirmation. Ensures that the clinical indication is pertinent to the exam requested and seeks clarification of unclear orders from physician or supervisor. Matches written order with exam requisition, modifying information to ensure accuracy.
• Verifies and documents the LMP information and seeks cardiologist's assistance when response is not within department guidelines.
• Determines that informed consent has been obtained when indicated.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of the operation of all equipment. Maintains equipment in a clean and orderly environment. Ensures completion and evaluation of all equipment QC tests required.
• Participates in section specific and hospital wide patient PI/QI initiatives.
• Reports equipment malfunctions, abnormal / unsafe conditions to supervisor promptly.
• Applies techniques of good body mechanics while performing job tasks.
• Informs the supervisor concerning equipment malfunctions and other problems.
• Obtains urgent readings as necessary ensuring results are communicated to the ordering clinician.
• Operates within the framework of existing departmental policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of disaster plan. Participates in mock disaster drills. Knows and follows code procedures. Completes annual life safety training via iCare.
• Provides comprehensive documentation and maintains accurate charts and records.
• Follows infection control policies and guidelines for Standard Precautions.
• Selects and operates appropriate equipment for the procedure requested. Produces quality tracings with few repeats which meet or exceed department standards on patients of all age groups, is knowledgeable for care and age- related equipment.
• Demonstrate the technical skills and knowledge necessary to perform high quality 12 Lead ECGs, treadmill exercise and pharmacological stress tests.
• Performs proper skin preparation and application of stress electrodes as is evidenced by tracings which are free of artifact. Insures proper chest lead and limb lead electrode placement for all tracings.
• Monitors ECG and blood pressure before, during and after stress testing. Exhibits knowledge of basic ECG recognition and arrhythmia detection and informs physician of any ECG or blood pressure changes.
• Assures that established protocols for equipment are set and pre-exercise/stress recordings are completed according to physician preference.
• Provides comprehensive documentation and maintains accurate charts and records.
• Compiles a written report for the supervising Physician signature.
• Demonstrates the technical skills to acquire EGMs via trans-telephonic pacemaker checks.
• Demonstrates the technical skills to acquire other device reports via electronic system.
• Acquires patient's vitals and an initial programmer print out for clinics.
• Understands department financial goals and helps keep department expenses to a minimum. Actively seeks, suggests and supports ways to provide cost effective patient care.
• Uses equipment conscientiously to reduce waste and damage. Checks expiration dates of all supplies regularly and prior to use.
• Promptly performs the exam complete function in the computer to enable timely billing.
• Demonstrates knowledge of daily charges and is able to reconcile billing errors.
• Ensures correct financial account number is used in the RIS system when performing the order entry function.
• Complies with supervisor's instructions regarding adjustments to staffing levels as needed to volume changes.
• Attends all mandatory in-services appropriate to area of practice.
• Obtains necessary continuing education to maintain certification and licensure in good standing.
• Attends 100% of staff meetings or reviews and initials minutes if unable to attend.
• Assumes responsibility for self-improvement. Demonstrates an interest in learning new techniques, methods and procedures to expand knowledge and enhance job. Obtains necessary continuing education credits to maintain certification and licensure in good standing if indicated.
• Completes all iCare courses annually, maintains CPR certification and completes an annual self-competency review.
• Keeps current on department information by reading the communication logs.

Other Information:

Competencies and Skills

• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
• Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.
• Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
• Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Education

• Required High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED)

Working Conditions

• Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
• Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
• Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.
• Work with computers, typing, reading or writing.
• Lifting, moving and loading 30 to 50 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.