Medical Telemetry

Hi all, Can you give me a rundown on being a telemetry tech? To what degree of ECG knowledge is expected, what types of cardiac abnormalities are common, etc. There are so many diferent types of rhythms that I don't think it is possible for any human to know them all. Any feedback will surely be appreciated. Thanks
I was a telemetry tech before I went to nursing school. I earned a certificate in EKG at a community college to learn how to read rhythms and 12-lead EKGs. I suggest you get a book like ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy to learn the basics, or you can take an American Heart Association EKG course. While an RN will check your interpretation before the doc sees it, if you are working in central tele, not all nurses can read ECGs, so you do need to know your stuff, because you will have to call the RN when there are changes, and you may need to convince the RN that there is a problem. Usually an RN is in charge of the tele room, and he or she can help you, if needed.Yes, you can learn them all. I've based my career on being an expert at reading even the rare rhythms, and you will see them. You will have to take a test to get the job, and each hospital has a different pass rate. You will be given several pages worth of rhythm strips to interpret. If you don't pass or don't get them all right, they will counsel you on your deficiencies so you can study more and try again.Obviously you will need to know the basics: normal sinus rhythm, sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and asystole, but you also need to know the junctional rhythms and the AV blocks (which can be tricky) because you will see them. You do need to be an expert. While you don't need to be able to read a 12-lead EKG, you need to know every single rhythm. I hope that helped!

Quote from AnaCatRNI was a telemetry tech before I went to nursing school. I earned a certificate in EKG at a community college to learn how to read rhythms and 12-lead EKGs. I suggest you get a book like ECG Interpretation Made Incredibly Easy to learn the basics, or you can take an American Heart Association EKG course. While an RN will check your interpretation before the doc sees it, if you are working in central tele, not all nurses can read ECGs, so you do need to know your stuff, because you will have to call the RN when there are changes, and you may need to convince the RN that there is a problem. Usually an RN is in charge of the tele room, and he or she can help you, if needed.Yes, you can learn them all. I've based my career on being an expert at reading even the rare rhythms, and you will see them. You will have to take a test to get the job, and each hospital has a different pass rate. You will be given several pages worth of rhythm strips to interpret. If you don't pass or don't get them all right, they will counsel you on your deficiencies so you can study more and try again.Obviously you will need to know the basics: normal sinus rhythm, sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and asystole, but you also need to know the junctional rhythms and the AV blocks (which can be tricky) because you will see them. You do need to be an expert. While you don't need to be able to read a 12-lead EKG, you need to know every single rhythm. I hope that helped!

Quote from NewToRXYour answer did help, and I appreciate the information!! ECG interpretation is confusing to me. Regardless, I'm going to the interview with a positive approach, and hope for the best. I'm a Medical Assistant, and I know that this site is for nurses, but who would know the answer to my question any better than a nurse?! And with the hospital knowing that I'm a Med Asst., I seriously doubt that they are going to expect as much from me as they would a nurse. Most likely (hopefully)they will provide additional training. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.!!

Quote from rimshot4Occasionally, though, RNs themselves can be the most difficult part of the job. The previous poster is right, some don't know how to read EKG strips. I don't mind explaining how I can tell a patient is in A-fib, or differentiating between a-fib or a-flutter for a nurse. What I do mind is calling an RN multiple times to tell them their patient's Sp02 is in the low-80s and being told, "it's fine" (another nurse finally put O2 on the pt). Or being snarkily told that the RN knows that the pt. converts from A-fib to Sinus often, don't call again--only to have another RN get on you for not calling her the very second the pt. converted. You're dealing with all of this while putting in admissions and listening to alarms go off constantly, most of them insignificant.

Thank You!!

Quote from NewToRXThank You!!

Quote from AnaCatRNYou're welcome! Did you get the job?