The demand for telemetry technicians has grown at a rate of 29% from 2010-2020.
That’s higher than the rate for RNs and makes telemetry one of the fastest-growing sectors in healthcare. It involves watching a patient’s vital signs and reacting to any changes. It requires balancing a great deal of information, but learning about it is easier than many doctors and nurses working today may realize.
Read on for 7 reasons you should consider taking courses to learn more about telemetry monitoring.
1. You Can Help Patients
In the US, heart disease takes a life every 36 seconds, heart attacks occur every 40 seconds, and coronary heart disease causes 360,900 deaths per year. Problems with the heart are one of the most pervasive health issues in the world.
Being able to read telemetry data is one of the best ways to prevent these all-too-common issues. Technicians are trained to notice changes in a patient’s vital signs, and their ability to spot subtle changes is often the difference between life and death.
Telemetry nurses work with patients during their most vulnerable moments, monitoring their vital signs and using medical devices such as electrocardiograms. In addition to heart disease, they can help treat a range of gastrointestinal and neurological issues.
Many professionals find this daily one-on-one patient interaction rewarding and enjoy providing them with peace of mind about their health. If this describes you, learning about telemetry monitoring may be the right course for you.
2. It Opens Up Several Career Paths
There will be at least 2.4 million new jobs in the healthcare industry by 2029. Many of these will be in the field of telemetry, and it’s best to get ahead of this growth by getting the knowledge you need now before the best jobs are taken.
There are several career paths to choose from, so compare them all to find the one that best fits your lifestyle and interests and work towards a certification in that area.
A telemetry technician works alongside telemetry nurses to recognize changes in heart rhythms. A telemetry nurse or nurse specialist works with cardiologists to help prescribe medications, perform treatments, diagnose diseases, and more.
The skills that these careers can provide are the same ones needed to work in an emergency room or ICU. You’ll learn how to deal with a fast-paced environment, respond quickly to emergencies, and balance a range of responsibilities.
Your options for a work environment also extend beyond the telemetry unit. You can work in private practice or at a clinical facility.
3. It Increases Your Earning Potential
Earning a certification in a high-demand sector of the medical field like telemetry makes you a more valuable potential employee. It will make you more likely to get the job you want and increase the amount that employers will be willing to pay you.
Telemetry technicians earn $30,000-$38,000 per year, and telemetry nurse specialists earn $38,000-$68,000 per year. This high salary is likely to increase along with the demand for these professionals.
4. It’s Easy to Start
Medical school has a reputation for being one of the longest and most frustrating forms of education, but it doesn’t have to be.
Working towards your telemetry monitoring certification is simple and fast. It usually only takes 3-6 months to finish. This means that you can start your dream career or switch to a new one in record time.
Telemetry courses are also the perfect complement to any on-the-job training you may be receiving. You’ll have the time and freedom to do both at the same time, allowing you to reach your goals sooner.
5. You Can Take Courses Online
At least 6.9 million students enroll in online courses every year. They’re one of the simplest and most convenient ways to learn any skill, even one as complex as telemetry monitoring. There are no physical colleges that offer a major in telemetry, but the internet helps fill this gap.
Online courses provide the freedom to choose your own school and subjects. They’re more affordable but allow you to continue working while pursuing your education. They’re a great way to network with other professionals, build your resume, or work towards a completely new career.
Best of all, they allow you to study on your own time at home. This means you won’t have to waste the 26.1 minutes the average American spends commuting every single day.
6. Your Credentials Are Easy to Renew
Renewing your telemetry monitoring credentials is required every 2 years. New technology for patient monitoring is developed at a rapid pace, and learning about the latest changes is essential.
The process of renewing any telemetry certifications you’ve earned is simple. Look for on-the-job training at a hospital or clinic or take courses online. You’ll be able to complete the process just as easily as you did the first time.
7. It Helps Doctors and Nurses
It may seem like learning about telemetry monitoring is only useful for those who are beginning their healthcare career, but that isn’t the case.
Doctors can benefit from learning more about telemetry monitoring as well. It helps them detect arrhythmias, analyze p-waves, spot morphology issues, and more. It’s also a useful way for them to advance their careers and provide better care for their patients.
Nurses get similar benefits from taking courses and learning more about telemetry. It helps them know what to do with each patient they encounter and could provide a new career opportunity by allowing them to become a telemetry nurse.
Where to Get Telemetry Monitoring Education
Telemetry monitoring is an essential part of all healthcare operations because it involves monitoring patients’ vital signs, heart functioning, and other important data. This makes it one of the most in-demand jobs in the industry.
Learning about telemetry has several benefits. It’s simple and affordable, increases earning potential, and allows doctors and nurses to become better at their jobs. Anyone who hopes to enter the healthcare field should consider taking courses in this growing field.
The National Telemetry Association has all of the information you need to know about telemetry monitoring. Register today to begin one of our courses.