CARDIAC TELEMETRY SPEC - Covenant Health

Cardiac Telemetry Specialist, Cardiac Telemetry Control

Full time, 80 Hours per pay period, Night shift

Parkwest Overview:

Parkwest is West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top-performing heart hospital. In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award-winning care throughout our facility. Annually Parkwest is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of Tennessee's “Top 10” hospitals.

Cardiac Telemetry Control:

The Telemetry Control Services provide innovative monitoring technology and safe usage of telemetry monitors on patients who meet “Criteria for placement on Telemetry Monitoring.”

Telemetry Control Services (TCS) is a centrally-located monitoring station that observes, records and reports the cardiac rhythms for all hospitalized patients that have a physician order for a cardiac monitor, excluding Critical Care, Emergency Care Center, and Surgical Services.  TCS has the capability to monitor 195 patients.

Staff are made up of EKG Technicians, Paramedics and LPNs. Scheduling is 80 hours, with 12 hours shifts 6:30-6:30 three shifts one week and four the next and an every other weekend requirement. 

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.

Recruiter: Jason Shubert || jshuber1@covhlth.com || 865-374-5393

• 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.

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.