Monitor Technician and EKG Tech

Bicster · Jun 27, 2008

I am currently taking a Basic EKG class at a CC. I was wondering if there is a difference between an EKG Technician and a Monitor Technician. Because in the course description it states I will be able to apply for a Monitor Tech but fails to mention anything about an EKG Tech. Also, so far in the class we are being taught how to interpret EKGs...is that normal? I have a friend who is an EKG tech but she only records EKG and not interpret. So do monitor tech not record and only interpret...im confused...

Overall these questions would best be answered by your instructor.

blughst43 · Jul 24, 2008

Hi seek1kees...you'll find monitor techs usually on the telemetry, sub-ICU, and ICU floors and they're interpreting continuous monitor rhythms and alerting the RNs (who alert the MDs) if there's a change. Usually a monitor tech is certified in cardiovascular technology and has to take other advanced EKG courses besides the basic one. EKG techs place leads and record an EKG, but the ultimate reading is done by the MD. EKG techs may notice a change in rhythm or a possible MI which they then can quickly alert the RN or MD. I was an ER tech for 7 years and I got really good at discovering an MI on the EKG after I recorded them. Hope this helps. :twocents: :nuke:

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2008

To preface, I'm an EMT in nursing school that has worked as a monitor tech for the last five years.

Monitor techs interpret rhythms. You absolutely have to know your rhythms-- if it were just about recording we could be replaced with the computer.

There's a fine line between interpreting and diagnosing, however. If one of your patients has new ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF, you can note this and notify the nurse of the findings as suggestive of an acute inferior wall MI, but clearly that actual designation is for the MD to make.

At my hospital especially, we have lots of med/surg patients on telemetry. The med/surg nurses aren't required to be competent at EKG interpretation so any subtle changes are left to the monitor techs to detect and alert.

Also, by doing nothing but EKGs you quickly become a local expert at their interpretations. ICU/tele nurses will bring strips and 12-leads to me for a second opinion before taking further action if they have questions, and many of our cardiologists bypass the nurses and speak directly to me regarding EKG findings.

An EKG tech is basically somebody that performs 12-leads on patients-- No interpretation knowledge is needed if they are adept at proper placement, though with any skill, it helps to know on a deeper level what you're doing.

Edit to add: At my facility and several other local ones, monitor techs are required to have ACLS certification.

blinks14 · Jul 24, 2008

I was previously a monitor tech at a large hospital in my area. It wasn't as in depth as one of the previous posters positions is but it did require you to interpret your rhythms. We had to take a one week intensive course on rhythms (same course our nurses take except we don't know meds) and had to pass with 100 percent accuracy a deadly arrhythmias exam and pass with 90 percent accuracy a regular exam. Our hospital works with a centralized system where the monitor techs sit in one room together and monitor patients all over the hospital. They are responsible for noting ANY changes in a patient's rhythm and notifying the nurse on the floor. And yes once you sit there for all that time reading rhythms for 8 or 12 hours you get to know your rhythms better than most nurses and some docs. Believe me.