ED CNA Position Performs Electrocardiograms??

[j_tay1981]

I am a nursing student who is registered as a CNA but has zero experience outside of what the classes taught me. I'm trying to find part time employment as a CNA while in school. A local hospital has advertised an opening for a CNA in the ED, but the position requires that the CNA perform electrocardiograms. This was not a skill that I have been taught. Is this a situation where I should apply anyway, and be honest about not knowing how to perform an ECG? Should I even bother applying? I didn't know CNA's did ECG's!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Yes - apply and be honest. It's not hard to learn to perform EKG's. ER techs commonly perform this skill, and those positions are often filled by CNA's, EMT-B's, and others who received EKG training on the job rather than in school.

[elkpark]

At the facility where I work, CNAs do most of the ECGs. It doesn't take long to be shown how to work the machine, and most all of the machines now have big diagrams on them showing where to place the leads. It's not an invasive procedure, and you're not interpreting the ECG, just running the strip. Go for it! :)