Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

This position monitors heart rhythm patterns to detect, records and reports normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns, normal and abnormal ECG interval measurements and proper and improper pacemaker or implantable defibrillator function, utilizing telemetry equipment.

Qualifications

Required

• Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire.

• Six months of experience identifying heart rhythm patterns.

Preferred

• Six months previous related experience.
• Certification in arrhythmia identification.

This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated vaccination requirements, or be approved for an exemption, prior to the first day of work. We protect our patients, coworkers and community by requiring all patient-sensitive employees to be immunized according to CDC standards and hospital policy. Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Reviews patient information to determine normal heart rhythm patterns and prior variances.
2. Demonstrates correct placement of telemetry leads on patients to ensure accurate heart rhythm analysis.
3. Notifies nursing staff when leads are off.
4. 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.
5. Observes the cardiac monitor and notifies the nursing and medical staff of any abnormal heart rhythm variances which indicate heart ischemia or an acute myocardial infarction.
6. Reviews the heart rhythm patterns and analyzes the function of pacemakers or implantable cardiac defibrillators. Notifies the nursing and medical staff of improper function.
7. Reviews patients’ cardiac medication profiles. Notifies the nursing and medical staff of heart rhythm pattern variances or ECG interval variances that represent adverse reactions or toxic effects of medications.
8. Assembles and maintains patient telemetry charts from admission through discharge.
9. Responds to patient call lights and notifies nursing and/or medical staff.
10. Documents time of monitors for tests, procedures and showers.
11. Facilitates the process of obtaining physicians orders for telemetry.
12. Verifies official physician telemetry order for each patient.
13. Programs and answers the pager system.

Problem Solving

• Ability to determine when heart rhythm patterns are normal, abnormal, and/or life threatening and notify nursing and medical staff appropriately.
• Demonstrated knowledge in medical terminology.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
• Must be able to obtain certification in arrhythmia every year.

Comments

The staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.  The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of life span growth and development and the ability to assess data regarding the patient's status and provide care as described in the department's policies and procedures manual.