CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST FT [0369]

Cardiovascular Technologist

A-Team Solutions is seeking a full-time Cardiovascular Technologist for a contract position available at the VA San Diego HealthCare System. Contract is 1 year with up to 4 additional years, shifts are 8 hours, call required and overtime possible.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Function as the first assistant to the Cardiologist during cardiovascular procedures.
• Perform a wide range of diagnostic tests and support duties such as the collection of blood samples for analysis for research, coagulation studies and blood gas determination.
• Operate radiologic fluoroscopy equipment to allow the medical team to appropriately visualize images during the procedure, assists/performs testing such as electrocardiograms (ECG), Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) echocardiograms, Intracoronary Pressure Wire, Drug exercise challenges, and the administration of Dynamic Electrocardiograph (EKG's) analysis.
• Monitor cardiac rhythms and recognize abnormal and life-threatening rhythms.
• Perform other monitoring procedures such as oximetry, blood pressure, arterial monitoring, intracardiac monitoring and recognize abnormal readings.
• Perform patient care procedures such as applying dressings, and collection of specimens or blood samples for analysis.
• Scrub and gown and be responsible for preparing catheters, guide wires, transducers, angioplasty balloons, stents, and manifold assembly.
• Operate the angiographic pressure injector to control the rate of pressure development and limits the onset of ejection to minimize ventricular irritability during the procedure.
• Function in the nonsterile role (circulator) by preparing the vascular access site on the patient, positioning the patient, operating the electric exam table and radiologic equipment, opening sterile supplies and monitoring patient physiologic response to the procedure.
• During cardiac arrest, operate the defibrillator and initiate CPR to restore the patient to a normal cardiac rhythm.
• Set up the Procedure Suite, ensuring sterile supplies and other required equipment are carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the procedure being performed.
• Set up Mac Lab and the GE Innova x-ray computers, perform quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure, set up the GE xray diagnostic system (angio/fluoroscopic) so that appropriate views of cardiac anatomy can be obtained and recorded for analysis, and perform a check of lead shielding equipment in compliance with National Standards (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Radiation Exposure as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA).
• Prepare the various computer software and peripheral devices (disk and magnetic tape drives and video formatters) to quantify coronary lesions and to generate ventricular analysis reports, cardiac output (thermodilution, Fick determinations), and maintains logs of patient data and library of videotapes and hardcopy tracings.
• Perform daily calibration of equipment, prepare physiologic monitoring equipment such as ECG, Oximetry, Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), balloon catheters, code cart, Intravascular ultrasound, Fick cardiac output device, Therapeutic Pressure wire, defibrillator, and various other complex equipment.
• Perform quality checks for various lab analysis equipment such as blood gas, coagulation studies that are used throughout the procedure, and ensures that emergency medication is available in the suite, performing quality checks to verify outdates and competency of like containers to ensure sterility and correct medication dosage.
• Perform a quality assessment of the 35mm cine film processor, daily, validating sensitometer exposures and ensuring correct parameters are used.
• Coordinate the scheduling of patients.
• Generate reports and keep records. Review test results with the interpreting physician.
• Be familiar with the use of an electronic medical record to obtain scheduling information, patient exam notes and results, etc. Familiar with the use of other simple computer-based data entry forms for recording preliminary data from each recorded examination.
• Perform elementary preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment and coordinate emergency and preventive services with Biomedical Engineering and outside service companies.
• Recognize normal anatomy and functional anatomy in diseased conditions and have knowledge and clear understanding of the coronary arteries and cardiac chamber anomalies as well as pressure requirements of the heart to anticipate and set up for the specific catheterization procedure needed to make a diagnostic evaluation.
• Have knowledge and understanding of electrocardiography (EKG), how to perform the procedure accurately; understanding of abnormal cardiac rhythm during catheterization so that proper therapy be initiated.
• Recognize and provide for the psychosocial needs of patients and their families; including explaining procedures to patients to reduce anxieties and gain cooperation.

Requirements:

• Minimum Education: Completion of an accredited Cardiovascular Technologist Program (CVT) or Certified Radiologic Technologist Program (CRT)
• Minimum Experience: 2 years hospital experience
• Required Certification: Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS); or Certified Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT); or Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT)
• State Licensure Requirement: CRT Board of Health California or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

A-Team Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Full - Time Employees: Medical, dental, vision, FSA, 401K with employer match, paid holidays, paid time off.