Stress Testing Technician - RCP (PRN)

PURPOSE OF THIS POSITION

The purpose of this position is to perform diagnostic images and appropriate measure through the use of stress-testing equipment in accordance with departmental guidelines and regulations governing our facility.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Duty 1: Reviews clinical data from the medical record and patient interview. Performs appropriate examinations, records accurate information for the patient's social and medical history. Completes the patient’s vital information prior to, during and after testing. Documents care on the patient's records including both interventions and patient responses.

Duty 2: Operates the stress equipment to obtain high quality diagnostic tracings following established policies, procedures and protocols.

Duty 3: Oversees patient monitoring during stress testing procedures, ensuring timely and appropriate clinical intervention in response to patient symptoms. Evaluates patient tolerance to exercise, identifies signs such as chest pain, dyspnea, arrhythmias, and ectopy, and initiates protocol-based actions as needed. Accurately documents any adverse reactions and promptly communicates findings to the supervising physician.

Duty 4: Demonstrates understanding of important electrocardiography responses at rest and exercise in healthy versus people with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Duty 5: Knowledge of common medications encountered during testing and how they affect the ECG, heart rate, and blood pressure at rest and during exercise.

Duty 6: Completes and maintains all charges and statistics for procedures performed in an accurate up-to-date manner.

Duty 7: Administers pharmacological agents as ordered, in accordance with Ohio licensure for Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs). Medications may include Lexiscan, Nitroglycerin, and Aminophylline, and are administered per departmental stress testing protocols to support diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cardiopulmonary impairments.

Duty 8: Responds to and manages adverse clinical events, including serious arrhythmias, by applying Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) skills. Initiates emergency protocols promptly and effectively to ensure patient safety.

Duty 9: Independently conduct stress testing procedures without direct cardiologist supervision, demonstrating sound clinical judgment and decision-making. Quickly assesses and responds to adverse changes in patient condition, including EKG abnormalities, vital sign fluctuations, arrhythmia, and life-threatening ectopy. Notifies the cardiologist as appropriate.

Duty 10: Provides patients with clear, concise instructions and education regarding the purpose, process, and indications of the stress testing procedure, ensuring understanding and informed participation.

Duty 11: Adheres to all policies, procedures, rules and regulations as they pertain to the department, organization and/or regulatory agencies. Engages in quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives. Participate in departmental meetings, huddles, in-services, and continuing education which includes onboarding and training new staff, fostering clinical excellence and team integration. Demonstrates effective teamwork and communication to optimize patient care.

Duty 12: Performs additional departmental functions within scope of practice, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed as a Respiratory Care Professional by the State of Ohio
• Registered Respiratory Therapist issued by the NBRC
• BLS, ACLS required within three months of hire
• Positive service-oriented interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served on his/her assigned unit/department. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient status. Must be able to interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the area’s policies and procedures.

PREFERRED QUALFICATIONS

• Prior training in stress lab, EKG and Holter monitoring desirable and experience in healthcare beneficial.
• Experience in reading and interpretation of EKG rhythms.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires a full range of body motion with intermittent walking, lifting, bending, climbing, squatting, kneeling, twisting, sitting and standing. The associate will be required to walk and/or stand for at least seven hours per day. The associate must be able to sit for 2-4 hours at a time. Assist in the transport/transfer of patients. The individual must be able to lift fifty pounds and reach work above the shoulders. The individual must have good eye-hand coordination and fine finger dexterity. The individual must have excellent verbal communication skills to perform daily tasks. The associate must have corrected vision and hearing in the normal range. The individual must be able to operate a motor vehicle for business travel. This position may result in exposure to chemicals, gasses, and bodily fluids.

***This position is classified "at risk" for possible occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens (HBV, HIV, etc.)