At Houston Methodist, the Lead Monitor Technician position is responsible for key functions that assist and supports Management, the interprofessional healthcare team and acts as team lead in delivering high quality, cost effective care. The Lead Monitor Technician position provides training and assists staff in competency in electrocardiography (EKG), non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), and pulse oximetry (SpO2), and monitoring and computer skills. In addition to the lead responsibilities, this position functions at an expert Monitor Technician level. This position provides direct patient care by performing patient preparation for monitoring. The Lead Monitor Technician position employs effective, prompt communication throughout the hospital complex and acts as the department liaison in the absence of Management. This position serves as the liaison between management, staff, and physicians for routine matters as the primary point of contact for resolving questions and issues for technician jobs as well as support staff, resulting in the delivery of exceptional patient care and adherence to standards of practice for optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to be dynamic and a focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner

• Actively participates in making recommendations for improving working relationships in the department and with each nursing unit. Works well with others and facilitates problem resolution. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional. Role models effective communication skills, assisting in team members' development of such skills

• Drives initiatives of improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e., peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides direct patient care by performing patient preparation for monitoring

• Assists Management in daily departmental operations and workflow to ensure timely service to patients and nursing units as assigned by Management

• Role models skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving departmental score for patient satisfaction

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Proficiently demonstrates EKG rhythm interpretation. Monitors O2 sats and blood pressure, understanding parameters when to call a nurse

• Drives quality patient care by vigilance in monitoring and prompt communication to unit staff. Assimilates and communicates information received from various sources to team members in an accurate, timely and effective manner

• Provides and accurately processes documents, quality data, and related centralized telemetry monitor (CTM) records

• Ensures all patient care equipment has had QC performed as required, is in safe working order prior to use and documents findings accordingly. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed

• Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs errors promptly into TAPS to improve processes and identify trends. Recommends corrective action and improvement activities and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains and accurately processes records including assisting management in department charges, when applicable

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists management in evaluating and training of arrhythmia identification of staff. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills, performance, and outcomes. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives

• Participates in department projects and shared governance activities. Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Two years college or vocational training or two years secretarial/office work that includes computer applications preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Two years' experience as a monitor technician performing a variety of electrocardiograms, Holter monitor applications and stress tests

• Prior lead experience: may consider an HM employee who demonstrates leadership skills

• Advanced EKG interpretation skills

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• CCT - Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCI) OR
• ECG - Certified ECG Technician (ACA) OR
• CET - Certified EKG Technician (NHA) OR
• CET - Certified EKG Technician (NPS) OR
• CMT-BC - Certified Monitor Technician (ABCM) OR
• NRCEKG - Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician (NAHP) OR
• ECG-B - Certified Electrocardiogram - Basic OR
• NTA - National Telemetry Technican (NTA) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing workflow, and actively participating in problem solving

• Successful completion of validated Basic EKG proficiency exam with a score of 84% and correct identification of lethal dysrhythmias during initial and ongoing orientation

• Maintains competency in non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) and pulse oximetry (SpO2) as appropriate

• Demonstrates proficiency in the use and maintenance of equipment such as Remote Viewing Station (RVS), transmitters, monitoring equipment, computers, facsimile, and printer

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.