Monitor Technician/Ward Clerk

POSITION SUMMARY

The Monitor Technician is responsible for the monitoring and communication of cardiac alarms for patients on continuous bedside or telemetry monitoring. They will notify the charge or primary nurse of any monitor alarms. This individual may perform 12 lead EKG’s on patients from adult to geriatric. They will print and label patient rhythms as assigned by nursing.  

The Ward Clerk is responsible for performing general secretarial and clerical duties in a well-organized manner.  His/her presence must be complimentary in creating a healing environment for patients and staff.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

High school graduate or equivalency certification. At least 1 year of hospital experience is preferred. Familiarity with patient care, medications, medical procedures and medical terminology. Function and organization of nursing unit.  Strong communication skills.  Observe patient confidentiality.  Adhere to policies and procedures and emergency protocols. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Notifies primary nurses, charge nurses, or floor CNA of tele alarms. Prints rhythm strips throughout the shift as assigned according to acuity or events.
• Pages overhead when necessary.  
• Serve as receptionist on the unit by answering telephones, taking/relaying messages, placing/answering calls or pages, greeting/directing visitors, physicians and staff.
• Processes requisitions, notify nursing staff appropriately re: new orders.
• Orders/maintains supplies of forms and other clerical supplies.
• Assists nursing personnel and performs clerical responsibilities related to admission, transfer and discharge of patients on the unit.
• Notifies appropriate personnel re: admissions, discharges, transfers and deaths on the unit.
• Completes unit census, outpatient charges and other reports assigned.
• Reports observations and problems regarding patients to the appropriate persons in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates accountability by accepting responsibility for own actions and decisions.
• Demonstrates an ability to set appropriate priorities and ability to respond to changes in workload.
• Responds to emergency patient situations or internal/external disasters following established protocols, remaining calm and informing appropriate persons.
• Requests/notifies needed services from ancillary departments as needed e.g. dietary, environmental services, lab, x ray, cardiology, RT, PT, Central Supply, Engineering, etc.
• Demonstrates commitment to smooth unit operation by planning and organizing clerical aspects and following up on duties left from the previous shift to assure effective 24 hour unit operation.
• When performing 12 lead EKG’s or placing monitoring leads, maintains the patient’s dignity and ensures patient rights are met. (MT only)
• Explains basics of monitoring or EKG procedures ordered to gain patient’s cooperation, alleviate apprehension and promote compliance; varies explanations based on patient’s age (MT only)
• Demonstrates sound basic knowledge of cardiac alarm escalation. Runs, posts strips, notifies staff promptly for rhythm change alarms (MT only).
• Demonstrates working knowledge of monitoring equipment and performs routine troubleshooting (MT only)
• Documents vital signs, weights and other patient data accurately and in a timely manner on the medical record as directed by licensed staff and according to unit protocols. Updates assignment sheets and worksheets.
• Performs 12 lead EKG’s and initiates bedside or telemetry monitoring as directed by licensed nurses according to policy/procedure and physician’s order (MT only)
• Cleans / checks monitoring cables, lead wires, telemetry units after use and stores properly. Maintains adequate monitoring supplies on unit (MT only)
• Demonstrates safe use of equipment, including but not limited to computers, printers, copy machines and for the monitor technicians; cardiac monitors and 12 lead EKG machines.