Major Responsibilities:

• Prepares and scans 24-hour and 48-hour Holter and other ambulatory recordings as ordered by physicians. Generates physician preliminary reports. Holter scanning includes reviewing all EKG strips recorded, taking sample strips of abnormalities; classifying these abnormalities; and creating a preliminary written summary report of the test findings including determining rhythms; blocks; ventricular, supraventricular, and aberrant activity; pauses; pacemaker activity/function; and symptom correlation with EKG findings.
  • 1)Attaches monitors to patients according to department protocol and provides patients with instructions to ensure optimal monitoring
  • 2) Informs attending cardiologist of critical cardiac abnormalities detected during Holter scanning immediately filling out critical values report
  • 3) Maintains patient logs of Holter evaluations performed and accurately file all test reports according to department policy
  • 4) Enters into HIS computer all data necessary to charge/credit patients for services as required
  • 5) Checks and maintains functioning of Holter recorders and scanners to ensure availability of equipment
  • 6) Maintains work area in a clean orderly safe manner, prepares supply inventories, and cleans all equipment used according to department policy
  • 7) Performs other cardiology non-invasive testing as needed to include stress testing; EKG; rhythm strips; signal averaged EKGs etc.
• Performs EKG stat and routine testing and other testing as needed.
  • 1)Able to troubleshoot problems associated with performing ECG's i.e., calming anxious patients, distracting pediatric patients
  • 2)Prepares patient for procedure, respects patients privacy in an empathetic & gentle manner
  • 3)Obtains relevant patient history
  • 4)Maintains a timely flow of patient in room assignments or work areas
  • 5)Able to enter/edit data entered in ECG machine before transmission of data to mainframe
  • 6)Performs Holter Monitor applications/removals
• Provides competent & proficient technical support during Stress Testing.
  • 1)Anticipates needs of patients & physicians during stress Testing
  • 2)Prepares patient for procedure, respects patient privacy & provides comfort & empathy
  • 3)Explains the procedure; determines if all patients questions/concerns have been addressed
  • 4)Determines possible contraindications to Exercise Testing & voices concerns to physician/department nurse to assure reliability of testing & results
  • 5)Obtains relevant patient history
  • 6)Coordinates a timely flow of patients in room assignments/work areas
  • 7)May assist with transportation to maintain timely flow of patients
  • 8)Demonstrates adaptability & resourcefulness & acts independently to maintain & complete Stress Tests in a timely manner
  • 9)Anticipates & provides for special needs & behaviors of specific age groups
  • 10)Demonstrates competence in operation of Stress Testing equipment of all modalities, all modes oximetry, Holter Monitoring equipment, Signal Average software. Troubleshoots existing IV accesses & its suitability for Stress Testing & voices concerns to department nurse, physician or Nuclear Medicine technologist. Helps precept CV Technician students, floor nurses, and new Cardiology Diagnostic staff members in the operation of treadmill, ECG machines & policies & protocols for Exercise Testing. Performs ECG and other testing as needed
• Interacts with medical staff, nurses & other hospital departments regarding patient care & department procedures
  • 1)Call the patients physician/nurse with the results of a STAT procedure or life-threatening finding filling out critical values report
  • 2)Coordinate patient care with patient's nurse and/or other ancillary departments
  • 3)Report patient safety and near misses in timely fashion. Adhere to all behavioral and procedural patient safety practices. Promote safety of patients utilizing the culture of safety tool.
  • 4)Communicate openly and promote teamwork
• Provides clerical functions necessary for physician interpretation, department record-keeping & patient billing
  • 1)Completes procedures forms and time outs effectively
  • 2)Insures that appropriate procedure has been ordered & charged
  • 3)Collects all information for the interpreting physician & places the study to be read
• Maintains a safe, organized & efficient work environment
  • 1)Complies with OSHA safety standards & infection control standards & practices
  • 2)Complies with established radiation safety standards
  • 3)Reports equipment malfunction, operational problems & inventory depletion immediately to the appropriate resource
  • 4)Maintains the cleanliness of the department & equipment
• Participation in professional development & process improvement teams by attending in-services meetings & continuing education programs appropriate to the goals & needs of the department
  • 1)Attends & actively participates in departmental meeting & inter- departmental meetings
  • 2)Attends & presents department and hospital wide inservice programs to insure technical competence & familiarize other departments with the role of Cardiac Technologist
• Provides training assistance to new employees, physicians, residents & fellows

Education/Experience Required:

• Minimum 2 years college or equivalent experience and 1-2 years cardiology exp. This position will need to recognize the needs & behaviors of a variety of age groups treated, i.e., understand child growth & development, normal patterns of adolescent behavior & look for signs of normal aging; prior experience with various age groups is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Possess basic knowledge of life-threatening EKG abnormalities and arrhythmias and perform other stress testing in a clinical or hospital setting. Demonstrated knowledge of basic EKG interpretation of arrhythmias and other abnormalities. Typing and computer , and clerical skills Ability to work well with others Good communication skills
• BLS

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and STAT call ins in order to accommodate staffing needs Ability to communicate with patients Exposure to ill patients, may be exposed to blood & urine samples Ability to transcribe medical information.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.