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Telemetry technician vs monitor technician

The differences between telemetry technicians and monitor technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a telemetry technician and a monitor technician. Additionally, a telemetry technician has an average salary of $35,758, which is higher than the $35,460 average annual salary of a monitor technician.

The top three skills for a telemetry technician include patients, EKG and patient care. The most important skills for a monitor technician are patients, EKG, and BLS.

Telemetry technician vs monitor technician overview

Telemetry TechnicianMonitor Technician
Yearly salary$35,758$35,460
Hourly rate$17.19$17.05
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs63,71256,963
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a telemetry technician do?

A telemetry technician is responsible for operating the telemetry machine to identify patients' heart rates and rhythms. Telemetry technicians monitor the patients' heart condition by attaching medical equipment to the patients' chest and record findings for the doctor's reference. They also assist with related medical operations and treatment procedures and discuss the processes with the patient. A telemetry technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in sorting clients' records and medical treatment plans.

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.

Telemetry technician vs monitor technician salary

Telemetry technicians and monitor technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Telemetry TechnicianMonitor Technician
Average salary$35,758$35,460
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $44,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CAMedford, OR
Highest paying stateCaliforniaUtah
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyMLK Community Healthcare
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between telemetry technician and monitor technician education

There are a few differences between a telemetry technician and a monitor technician in terms of educational background:

Telemetry TechnicianMonitor Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Telemetry technician vs monitor technician demographics

Here are the differences between telemetry technicians' and monitor technicians' demographics:

Telemetry TechnicianMonitor Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 37.4% Female, 62.6%Male, 34.7% Female, 65.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between telemetry technician and monitor technician duties and responsibilities

Telemetry technician example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients being monitor while in the ICU and the Med/Surge unit and reporting any abnormal findings to the RN.
  • Monitor patients and administer EKG.
  • Utilize varied medical equipment including telemetry monitors, vital sign monitors and lifting equipment to care for patients.
  • Provide continuous observation of monitor ECG rhythms for patients on telemetry and report pertinent information to appropriate nursing personnel.
  • Pass instruments, sponges, and suture to surgical team.
  • Assist in code situations by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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Monitor technician example responsibilities.

  • 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.
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Telemetry technician vs monitor technician skills

Common telemetry technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • EKG, 15%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Rhythm Interpretation, 4%
  • ICU, 4%
Common monitor technician skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • EKG, 12%
  • BLS, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Cardiac Rhythms, 6%
  • Arrhythmia, 4%

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