Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians use electrocardiographic (ECG) equipments to monitor cardiac rhythms of patients and report the findings to the nursing staff. Their other duties include preparing and positioning the patients, monitoring cardiovascular data, analyzing physiological changes, documenting medical records, cleaning and maintaining cardiac equipments, playing as a liaison between patients and medical staffs so on and so forth.
Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians work in variety of medical settings such as government and private hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation facilities, physician’s offices, outpatient clinics, intensive care units, medical laboratories etc. These professionals need to work daytime, evening, night and weekend shifts. They also have to perform duties on call.
Educational Requirements
In order to become a Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians, the aspiring candidates must have to earn a high school diploma or a GED. Then, the candidates can join two-year associate’s degree programs to learn ECG and other cardiovascular technologies.
The students cover the course works like cardiac anatomy, physiology, pathology, electrocardiography, medical terminology, medical imaging, cardiovascular pharmacology, ventricular rhythms, echo interpretation etc.
Certification
To qualify for the position of Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians, the aspiring candidates need to earn an examination based certification from American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Skill Set
Apart from the clinical knowledge, Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technicians possess various skills such as attention to detail, dexterity to perform procedures, protecting patients’ confidentiality and sensitive data, understanding the spirit of team work, tolerance for long working hours, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, ability to perform duties with accuracy, maintaining calm and helpful during stressful situations, physical stamina for lifting and positioning the patients and equipments, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technician remains excellent in the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 30% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Technician was $52,070 in May 2012.