Cardiac Exercise Stress Testing Technologist

Cardiac Exercise Stress Testing Technologist

San Diego Cardiac Center is seeking an experienced Cardiac Exercise Stress Testing and EKG Technologist to join our non-invasive cardiology team.

The ideal candidate has experience performing 12-lead EKGs and exercise treadmill stress tests, understands cardiac rhythms, and is comfortable providing direct patient care in a busy outpatient cardiology setting. Experience with implanted cardiac devices is preferred.

ROLE CLARIFICATION: This is not an echocardiography or cardiac sonographer position. The technologist performs the treadmill, patient assessment and ECG-monitoring portion of exercise stress echocardiograms. Echocardiographic images are obtained by a qualified cardiac sonographer.

Primary Clinical Responsibilities

• Perform resting 12-lead EKGs.
• Prepare patients for exercise treadmill stress testing.
• Perform and monitor treadmill stress tests according to established protocols.
• Monitor patients' heart rhythm, heart rate, blood pressure, symptoms, and overall condition during testing.
• Recognize arrhythmias, ischemic changes, and other abnormal EKG findings.
• Immediately report significant symptoms or abnormal findings to the supervising physician or appropriate clinical staff.
• Assist with the EKG and treadmill portions of stress echocardiograms; ultrasound imaging is not required.
• Assist with pacemaker, ICD, and implantable loop recorder testing when trained.
• Support in-office cardiac device clinics and remote-monitoring workflows.
• Accurately document procedures, patient symptoms, measurements, and results in the electronic medical record.
• Maintain testing rooms, equipment, supplies, and infection-control standards.
• Work collaboratively with cardiologists and other members of the clinical team.
• Provide coverage at other San Diego Cardiac Center locations when needed.

Departmental Support Responsibilities

• Support the interpreting physician by providing accurate technical data, preliminary observations and relevant professional knowledge to facilitate completion of the final diagnostic report.
• Operate the applicable archiving, communication and reporting systems and ensure accurate data entry.
• Maintain familiarity with the Noninvasive Department schedule, room assignments and staffing plan to assist with routine scheduling and reception questions.
• Connect and perform basic troubleshooting of clinical equipment and computers using approved technical-support resources.
• Assist with ordering, receiving, stocking and distributing medical supplies used by the Noninvasive Department and other SDCC departments, as assigned.
• Participate in departmental and staff meetings and support the daily operations of the Noninvasive Laboratory.

Documentation and Reporting

• Document patient assessments, test performance, symptoms, rhythm changes, interventions and outcomes accurately and within required timeframes.
• Enter accurate and precise information into the electronic health record, archiving systems and computerized reporting platforms.
• Prepare preliminary findings for physician review without independently issuing a final diagnostic interpretation.
• Follow established communication and escalation pathways for urgent or abnormal findings.

Quality Assessment and Improvement

• Confirm that exercise tests, Holter scans and related documentation meet facility Quality Assurance standards before findings are released for interpretation.
• Ensure medical equipment is functional, clean, appropriately maintained and ready for patient use; report equipment concerns promptly.
• Work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, sonographers, clinical staff and administrative staff to promote safe, high-quality patient care.
• Carry out Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement protocols within the Noninvasive Department.
• Provide patient-centered care that supports a positive patient experience.
• Participate with the Noninvasive Cardiology Manager in applicable accreditation activities.

Professional Development

• Demonstrate professional growth and lifelong learning through continuing education relevant to the specialty areas performed.
• Maintain required certifications and complete assigned competencies within established timeframes.
• Foster a professional, respectful and collaborative environment within the Noninvasive Cardiology team.
• Participate in approved research protocols coordinated by the Research Department, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Completion of an EKG technician, cardiovascular technology, cardiac monitoring, or related healthcare training program preferred.
• Relevant hands-on cardiology experience may be considered in place of formal cardiovascular training.

Training and Experience

• At least one year of experience in cardiology, cardiovascular testing, or a related clinical setting.
• Experience performing exercise treadmill stress tests independently.
• Experience with pacemakers, ICDs, implantable loop recorders, or remote cardiac device-monitoring platforms.
• CCT, CRAT, CET, or another relevant cardiovascular credential.
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification.
• Experience using Epic or a comparable electronic medical record.
• IV certification is preferred but not required.
• Echocardiography scanning experience and cardiac sonography credentials are not required for this position.

Working Environment

Equipment Operated

Standard medical examination and office equipment, treadmill and ECG stress-testing systems, ambulatory cardiac-monitoring equipment, EECP equipment, computers, electronic health records and practice-management systems.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in medical office, examination and procedure-room settings that are generally well lighted, well ventilated and appropriately spaced. The employee may be exposed to unpleasant odors, cuts, infections, communicable diseases, hazardous materials, strains and injuries involving patients or equipment. Flexibility in scheduling is required, and occasional evening or weekend clinics and travel between SDCC locations may be necessary.

Mental and Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing and the ability to remain standing for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry a laptop computer and up to 20 pounds of supplies.
• Adequate hearing and vision to safely monitor patients, equipment and ECG displays.
• Ability to manage occasional workload-related stress while maintaining patient safety and professional communication.

SDCC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Individuals needing an accommodation during the application or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department.

SDCC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetics. In addition to federal requirements, SDCC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities.