Medical Instrument Technician (Cardiovascular)

Cardiovascular Technician

Assists physician(s) and team members during a variety of highly complex, potentially life-threatening invasive cardiovascular procedures on stable and unstable patients throughout the lifespan continuum.

Assists in identifying and selecting patient/procedure-specific catheters, supplies, equipment, and contrast medium and volume and then manipulates or changes supplies or instruments in order to meet the requirements of the procedure.

Ensures patient is well-informed of the procedure and understands circumstances that will occur during his/her procedure.

Operates defibrillator and pacemaker generator as well as radiographic contrast injector, cardiac output, intravascular ultrasound, angiojet, atherectomy, rotablator, pressure wire, and intra-aortic balloon pump consoles.

Monitors patient's response to intravenous sedation/analgesia medication administration.

Cleans instruments and maintains sterile instrument inventory.

Operates an interactive computerized digital subtraction angiographic system in order to produce coronary and left ventricular graphic images, and to perform pulmonary, aortic, and peripheral arterial imaging.

Trains new cardiovascular technicians, nurses in all phases of operations related to the performance of cardiac catheterizations.

US Department of War