New PCT working in Neuro-Telemetry Unit? Please Help!

[justSara]

I'm young and have been working in Home Health as an HHA for about 2 years. I recently got my CNA license, Phlebotomy and EKG certifications, qualifying me to work as a Patient Care Technician/Associate (at least in Florida).

I have never worked or volunteered in a hospital before, only worked in private homes. Before I go to Nursing school in 2 years, I want to gain hospital experience. I applied to hospitals for various floors/specialties/shifts, and I got a call back for a job on a Neuro-Telemetry floor. It's full-time, day shift, $13.40 per hour plus benefits and only about 25 minutes from me... It seems like a dream come true!

Only problem is.. what exactly IS Neuro-telemetry?!? I've mostly done 'nurturing' nursing, not 'medical' nursing (if that makes sense). I have my interview this upcoming Tuesday (8/9/16) and I REALLY want to impress these people. The job ad didn't mention much.

I also did some online research on Neuro-telemetry and I'm still a little unsure about what it is exactly, and what I would specifically be doing on a day-to-day basis as a Patient Care Technician (a.k.a Clinical Assistant) working on that floor/unit.

Any insight to what my day-to-day would be like? What kind of patients are usually on that floor? Any interview tips for my first hospital interview are also appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Your patients on a unit like this will consist of stroke patients, and other neurological patients. You will work under the hospitals policies and procedures. Other patients you will have are patients that have had subdural hematomas after they are out of ICU, same with subarachniod hemorrhage patients once they are out of ICU, post operative brain surgery patients, possibly seizure patients (unless your hospital has a dedicated epilepsy unit), patients with myesthenia gravis, guillan barre, and post operative back and neck surgeries that are out of ICU.

These patients can be heavy. Lots of fall and aspiration precautions.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

The big neuro populations I've seen are strokes, post-surgical such as tumor resections or VP shunt surgery for hydrocephalus, spontaneous brain bleeds, post neuro-interventional radiology such as aneurysm coiling, head trauma, spinal cord injury, 24 -hr EEG monitoring, medical stuff like Guillian-Barre or encephalitis... that's not an exhaustive list.

The telemetry part refers to patients who are on cardiac monitors so their heart rhythm/rate can be constantly watched. Unless it's an ICU or step-down unit, they usually have monitor techs who watch this, since the RN can't physically have his/her eyes on monitors at all times. (Each RN has fewer patients in ICU and stepdown, so is more able to watch stuff.) As a PCT your main duties will be to make sure the leads are placed, and to follow the RN's directions if the patient has special concerns. For example, "patient is a distance runner; don't be alarmed if his pulse is in the mid-40s," or "he's prone to vagal responses where his HR and BP drop precipitously; remind him not to strain if you help him to the toilet."

Hope your interview goes well!

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

Good luck to you, these above answers are en pointe.

However, you haven't done "nursing," so be careful how you present yourself.

You are in for a fun and educational ride! I hope you enjoy it. Breathe and remember, we all started somewhere.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Remind yourself that you really have not "done nursing" at all at this point in your career. You do not want to come across as projecting yourself as a nurse. That would be a deal breaker.

I would guess that the PCT responsibilities would not vary much from one patient population to the next. Some populations will have greater risk factors than others, but you would not be expected to know that in advance. Just focus on advocating safe basic care and you should be fine.

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

I would like to add something more helpful. As a nurse, I rely on my nursing assistants and and technicians to keep me informed of any changes. You will have the wonderful and unique role of patient care. As a result, you will be among the first line to recognize when something doesn't seem right. It could be as simple as a change in vital signs or as complicated as presenting with stroke symptoms. I think you will learn some of this as you go along but remember how important and vital you are to us.