Occ. Code 6223200

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH TECHNICIAN, GRADE 8	6223200
SENIOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH TECHNICIAN, GRADE 12	6223300

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES  

          Electrocardiograph Technicians operate electrocardiograph machines in administering tests to record the action of a patients heart muscle for the diagnosis of heart ailments or malfunctions by a physician; perform minor maintenance and adjustments on related equipment; order and maintain required supplies; and perform clerical tasks in relation to the electrocardiograph program.  

          These positions exist in various State agencies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH TECHNICIAN: full performance level; independently perform electrocardiograms. 

SENIOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH TECHNICIAN: first supervisory level; oversees and trains Electrocardiograph Technicians.

RELATED CLASSES

Electroencephalograph Research Technicians operate electroencephalograph machines to record patients brain waves and provide data for diagnosing brain disorders.  Incumbents assist in the total care of consumers and perform various duties and functions in conjunction with the overall operation of a facility and/or location to which they are assigned.  

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Electrocardiograph Technician: performs Electrocardiograph, Holter Monitor, Teletrace, and Vector Cardiogram tests using related equipment to record the action of a patients heart muscle for diagnosing heart ailments or malfunctions; demonstrates and provides training in the operation of the electrocardiograph machine to students, trainees, hospital, and clinical personnel; orders and maintains required supplies; reads orders from physicians and Senior Electrocardiograph Technicians concerning test requirements; prepares patient by explaining procedures and the purpose of the test, positioning the patient, attaching electrodes to specified areas of the body, and connecting leads from the electrocardiograph machine to electrodes; activates marker button to record separate position readings on the electrocardiograph strip; removes electrodes from the patient and cleans off paste or other substances used in attaching electrodes; may direct the patient to perform physical exercise as specified by the physician and records the heart reaction during and following exertion; removes tracings from the electrocardiograph machine after administering tests; after the physician has studied the tracings, mounts and labels strip tracings to indicate which electrode position it represents; fills in identifying and test data on records; maintains electrocardiograph machine by replenishing supply of tracing paper and ink, replacing stylus, and reporting machine malfunctions; and may operate an electroencephalograph machine to administer tests for diagnosing brain disorders. 

Senior Electrocardiograph Technician: schedules, plans, and prioritizes activities of subordinate Electrocardiograph Technicians by  ensuring the technical quality of the work; assigns  work based on patient needs and physicians orders, making temporary/permanent work station assignments; supervises and trains subordinate Electrocardiograph Technicians and other clerical staff; develops job performance standards for technicians and periodically evaluates their performance; makes recommendations to hospital management regarding equipment and personnel needs; coordinates the timely turnaround of reports by collecting monthly statistical data and reports for physician billing, entering all charge data into computer and checking daily revenue sheets; communicates with physicians and peers to resolve discrepancies regarding testing reports; maintains statistical data of tests; and assists in developing policies and procedures.

INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION

          Electrocardiograph Technicians work under the supervision of a physician and/or Senior Electrocardiograph Technician who is responsible for the interpretation of the recordings and for making the final review of tracings for accuracy and reliability.  The physician and/or Senior Electrocardiograph Technician give instructions as to the tests to be done and are available for consultation and advice on unusual problems.  These tests along with the operation of the machine are prescribed by detailed procedures to be followed by the incumbents.

Senior Electrocardiograph Technicians function independently within the scope of their assignments.  Their work is largely prescribed by detailed written guidelines, techniques, and standard sources of information.  Senior Electrocardiograph Technicians are supervised by medical personnel or professional technicians who instruct them in unusual or special techniques.

COMMUNICATION

          Electrocardiograph Technicians have direct communication with patients in explaining tests to be performed, in reassuring them, gaining their cooperation, and in administering the tests. 

Senior Electrocardiograph Technicians have regular oral and written communications with lower level laboratory personnel in providing advice and assistance concerning procedural matters.  Senior Electrocardiograph Technicians have regular contact with patients to explain test procedures in a manner which patients can understand.  Incumbents have regular contact with physicians to resolve any discrepancies regarding testing reports. 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Electrocardiograph Technicians are non-supervisory but they may assist in training other technicians or students by demonstrating and explaining the work and answering questions about procedures and protocols. Senior Electrocardiograph Technicians supervise subordinate staff including Electrocardiograph Technicians and other clerical staff, and manage specific assignments and give oral and written instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH TECHNICIAN

Open Competitive:  satisfactory completion of a course in the operation of an electrocardiograph machine within the last three years or six months of experience in operating an electrocardiograph machine within the last three years.

SENIOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH TECHNICIAN

Promotion:  one year of service as an Electrocardiograph Technician.   

Date:  7/15

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.