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What does a monitor technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
9 min read
Quoted expert
Michael Williams Ph.D.
What does a monitor technician do

A monitor technician works in hospitals and other health care centers that provide treatment relating to heart health. They are also known as cardiac monitor technicians, who assist physicians and nurses with diagnosing and interpreting conditions related to the heart through several methods of monitoring and testing. Most of their work includes using machines and other medical technology in tracking patients' heart performance and check for any possible abnormalities. They monitor irregular heartbeats, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. They also use this technology to perform various tests on the heart but typically do not provide treatment.

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Monitor technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real monitor technician resumes:

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Operate electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac treadmill testing equipment and record data.
  • Administer care to patients in a LATC setting, support with ambulation and rehabilitation procedure.
  • Ensure telemetry boxes are returned from the floors when patients are discharge or transfer to ICU.
  • Work in a very large hospital system doing EEG's on premature infants to geriatric patients.
  • Monitor heart rhythm patterns, record and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns and ECG interval measurements utilizing telemetry equipment.
  • Advance arrhythmia recognition and basic EKG interpretation.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity and compassion to all patients.
  • Maintain ongoing, high-level surveillance of patients' cardiac rhythms and notifies nursing/clinicians of any rate/rhythm changes according to clinician/provider orders.
  • Clean electrode wires and transmitters when monitoring is discontinued.
  • Assist staff cardiology group in establishing and launching the first M.G.H.
  • Initiate basic CPR measures in the event of cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
  • Assist in performing CPR and ACLS treatments for life threatening medical emergencies.
  • Update daily inventory of transmitters and detect defective equipment and ship out for repair.
  • Assist in all non-invasive nuclear, pharmacological, stress echo, treadmill stress tests.

Monitor technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 21% of Monitor Technicians are proficient in Patients, EKG, and BLS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Hand-eye coordination, and Technical skills.

We break down the percentage of Monitor Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patients, 21%

    Maintained ongoing, high-level surveillance of patients' cardiac rhythms and notifies nursing/clinicians of any rate/rhythm changes according to clinician/provider orders.

  • EKG, 12%

    Completed EKG certification provided by Magnolia Regional Health Center.

  • BLS, 8%

    Maintained a yearly BLS license and Cardiac Telemetry Monitor Certification.

  • Medical Terminology, 6%

    Generated knowledge of basic medical terminology.

  • Cardiac Rhythms, 6%

    Provide ongoing observation and interpretation of cardiac rhythms, prepare and report telemetry record, and maintain a functioning telemetry system

  • Arrhythmia, 4%

    Worked independently and collaboratively with the Cardiology Services health care professionals, assisting with common acute and chronic arrhythmia illnesses.

"patients," "ekg," and "bls" are among the most common skills that monitor technicians use at work. You can find even more monitor technician responsibilities below, including:

Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a monitor technician to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients." Additionally, a monitor technician resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "clean equipment download ekg machine accomplishments great customer service skills and paying more attention to detail skills used basic dysrthima"

Hand-eye coordination. Another essential skill to perform monitor technician duties is hand-eye coordination. Monitor technicians responsibilities require that "to get quality images, diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must accurately move equipment on the patient’s body in response to what they see on the screen." Monitor technicians also use hand-eye coordination in their role according to a real resume snippet: "work in coordination with the md and rn regarding arrhythmia detection. "

Technical skills. monitor technicians are also known for technical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to monitor technician responsibilities, because "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments." A monitor technician resume example shows how technical skills is used in the workplace: "maintain ekg machines and troubleshoot technical problems. "

Physical stamina. Another crucial skill for a monitor technician to carry out their responsibilities is "physical stamina." A big part of what monitor technicians relies on this skill, since "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians stand for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance." How this skill relates to monitor technician duties can be seen in an example from a monitor technician resume snippet: "integrated ekg results with patient's medical history, lab-results and physical exam findings. "

Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on monitor technician job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in monitor technician duties, since "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians work closely with patients, including those who may be in pain, and must be able to explain the procedure in an understandable way." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day monitor technician responsibilities: "appropriate response, documentation and communication to rn of alarms of such arrhythmias, lethal rhythms and other abnormalities of ekg. "

Most common monitor technician skills

The three companies that hire the most monitor technicians are:

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Compare different monitor technicians

Monitor technician vs. Imaging technologist

An imaging technologist is responsible for performing diagnostic imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging scans, X-ray examination, and computed tomography. Your day-to-day duties include working closely with physicians and radiologists in diagnosing or ruling out disease or injury, operating and maintaining imaging equipment, and assisting patients in preparation for imaging procedures. As an imaging technologist, it is also your responsibility to follow precise instructions in order to capture a high-quality image and assisting physicians in evaluating images.

We looked at the average monitor technician salary and compared it with the wages of an imaging technologist. Generally speaking, imaging technologists are paid $14,326 higher than monitor technicians per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between monitor technicians and imaging technologists are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like patients, customer service, and compassion.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a monitor technician are more likely to require skills like "ekg," "bls," "medical terminology," and "cardiac rhythms." On the other hand, a job as an imaging technologist requires skills like "patient care," "mri," "radiologic technologist," and "ultrasound." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Imaging technologists really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $55,979. Comparatively, monitor technicians tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $34,267.The education levels that imaging technologists earn slightly differ from monitor technicians. In particular, imaging technologists are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a monitor technician. Additionally, they're 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Monitor technician vs. Mri technologist

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists are medical professionals who manage everything involved in the MRI machine. They operate the machines to get scans of the patients' brain, spinal cord, or muscles, which would help doctors identify or diagnose clients' illnesses and diseases. They help the patients prepare for the MRI scans and ensure that they are properly protected. They also carefully take direction from attending physicians to ensure that they scan the correct body part needed for the diagnosis. MRI technologists are also in charge of maintaining the MRI machine and working on repairs whenever needed.

On average, mri technologists earn a $41,797 higher salary than monitor technicians a year.A few skills overlap for monitor technicians and mri technologists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "patients," "customer service," and "cpr. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, monitor technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ekg," "bls," "medical terminology," and "cardiac rhythms." Meanwhile, an mri technologist has duties that require skills in areas such as "arrt," "magnetic resonance imaging," "radiology," and "magnetic resonance." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Mri technologists tend to reach similar levels of education than monitor technicians. In fact, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for monitor technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Michael Williams Ph.D.Michael Williams Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Director and Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University

Many technologies are growing in importance in healthcare. Healthcare trackers, wearables, and sensors will continue to grow and allow patients to self-monitor and report their health findings to providers in real-time. Wearable diabetes monitors that provide real-time blood sugar reports and control have revolutionized a person's life with diabetes. FitBit and other technologies can monitor heart rate, rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation will also expand in use.

The electronic health record (EHR) integration continues to build in decision aids and artificial intelligence for making better decisions. The EHR has made accessing patient information more available to other practitioners and patients themselves. Another technology that will continue to expand in use is a point of care testing (POC). POC allows for greater flexibility to meet the patient wherever they are, and will see continued expansion. And perhaps, the technology that has indeed expanded, out of necessity during the pandemic, is telehealth.

While telehealth has been available for many years, particularly in rural areas, it wasn't nearly as common in high population areas--patients were expected to go to the provider. Telehealth can eliminate many unnecessary "non-emergency" visits to emergency rooms and can be available, quite easily, in off-hours.

Monitor technician vs. Monitor

A monitor or computer monitor is a device comprising a visual display, circuitry, power supply, and casing. The output device produces an output of video images as well as texts. It allows people to interact with the computer, activate, and run programs. It lessens stress and establishes a better environment for heightened production. Monitors are of three types: light-emitting diodes, cathode ray tubes, and liquid crystal display. Using them is also cost-effective.

On average, monitors earn lower salaries than monitor technicians, with a $3,968 difference per year.monitor technicians and monitors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "patients," "arrhythmia," and "customer service," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from monitor technician resumes include skills like "ekg," "bls," "medical terminology," and "cardiac rhythms," whereas a monitor is more likely to list skills in "patrol," "substance abuse," "program rules," and "cleanliness. "

Monitors earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $36,145. Monitor technicians earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $34,267.monitors typically earn similar educational levels compared to monitor technicians. Specifically, they're 2.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Monitor technician vs. Emergency medical technician

Emergency medical technicians or EMTs are skilled medical professionals who act as first responders to injured or sick patients. They apply first aid or do emergency medical procedures upon arriving at the area where the emergency happened. For serious or grave injuries, they do not have complete medical equipment at their disposal, so they have limited capacities on the field. Despite that, EMTs do their best to ensure that patients would reach the hospital for such high-risk cases. EMTs are expected to be calm under pressure and have extensive knowledge of first aid and of basic medical procedures.

Emergency medical technicians average a higher salary than the annual salary of monitor technicians. The difference is about $4,283 per year.According to resumes from monitor technicians and emergency medical technicians, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "patients," "ekg," and "arrhythmia. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between monitor technicians and emergency medical technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a monitor technician might have more use for skills like "bls," "medical terminology," "cardiac rhythms," and "ecg." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of emergency medical technicians require skills like "ems," "life support," "emt-b," and "medical equipment. "

In general, emergency medical technicians earn the most working in the government industry, with an average salary of $39,453. The highest-paying industry for a monitor technician is the health care industry.emergency medical technicians reach similar levels of education compared to monitor technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of monitor technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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