Monitor Surveillance Technician
Field of Study — Science, Engineering & Diagnostic Instrumentation
Monitor surveillance technicians carefully observe monitors that graphically record the electrical activity of each heartbeat. They interpret these rhythms and report results to physicians and/or nurses.
Monitor surveillance technicians:
- obtain patient information for the telemetry records, such as heart rhythm history.
- observe the monitor screen, which displays up to 24 patients’ heart rhythms.
- interpret heart rhythms and identify abnormalities.
- post representations and interpretations of heart rhythms.
- recognize changes in heart rhythms and relay the information to a nurse or physician.
- operate the patient-monitoring computer.
- clean and maintain the telemetry battery packs and wiring.
Monitor surveillance technicians work in hospitals where large numbers of patients are connected to telemetry monitors.
Educational Requirements
Students interested in this career should begin early by taking math, science and computer technology courses in high school.
The minimum educational requirement for monitor surveillance technicians is high school graduation (or GED), in addition to a three-month training program.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Hospitals and Health Care Facilities
Community Memorial Healthcenter
John Randolph Medical Center
Medicorp Health System
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, School of Health Professions
Shore Memorial Hospital, LPN School of Nursing
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
Professional Associations
- No Professional Associations Apply