Cardiovascular Technologist -RCIS/RCES - 40 Hours - Days

Cardiovascular Technologist

Under general supervision, the Cardiovasc Techno -RCIS/RCES renders patient care in accordance with physician protocols to provide patient comfort and well-being.

Assists the physician in conducting all invasive cardiac and therapeutic procedures by preparing equipment and patients, functioning as scrub assistant, and/or recording all hemodynamic and electrodigraphic data.

Orients students and new employees, assists in the care and maintenance of the department area, equipment and supplies, acts as a resource person; assists with patient transport; attends in-service meetings and keeps current on cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures and equipment.

Demonstrates knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to provide care to the age group(s) served.

Responsibilities:

• Prepares laboratory for performance of study by checking data processing equipment for proper working order, calibrating analogue recording equipment, and arranging surgical instruments using appropriate aseptic technique.
• Verifies patient's identity prior to procedure. Reviews patient's chart to confirm existence of allergies and ensures appropriate pre-operative lab and electrocardiograph studies have been carried out, and appropriate pre-operative medications have been administered. Checks for blood pressure, pulse, irregularities of heart rhythm, removal of dentures and other processes, and ensures intravenous infusion line is operating properly.
• Prepares patient for procedure by positioning patient on table, connecting leads to an electrocardiogram, leveling transducers and preparing site of entry for surgery. Reassures patient before, during, and after procedure.
• Monitors patient's vital signs and electrocardiograph data during procedure including recognition of arrhythmia, heart blockage, and any pattern of physiologic changes. Monitors and attends to patient's comfort during procedure, (i.e. emesis, voiding, positioning, respiratory distress, vasovagal reaction, and the like).
• Acts as a patient/family educator prior to diagnostic test or surgical procedure. Explains procedure, expectations, and answers questions.
• Acts as patient advocate when required; provides emotional support, comfort to patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional procedures.
• Administers/dispenses meds as authorized by hospital & ordered by physician
• Monitors IV's, operative IV infusion pumps, oxygen, and suction equipment.
• Records cardiac data generated by patient testing procedures, performs routine analysis, and prepares data for interpretation by physician.
• Develops ability for electrode and generator analysis at time of pacemaker implantation.
• Assists in care, maintenance of departmental area, equipment, supplies. Alerts appropriate individuals of malfunctioning equipment and supply needs
• Assists with the orientation of students and new employees to the catheterization laboratory.
• Assists with patient transport; maintains various records, reports, files, and statistics, etc
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals and other literature, and attending related conferences, seminars, and the like.
• Prepares sterile set-up of instruments and supplies for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Functions as a scrub assistant to the physician for these procedures.
• Operates apparatus outside laboratory, such as Fick apparatus, blood oximeter, densitometer, etc, in order to assess physiologic parameters; handles non-sterile equipment, physiologic measuring devices, that come in contact with or are used by patients during procedures; cleans, prepares equipment and/or catheters for procedures; evaluates non-mechanical and special supplies for functional integrity
• Maintains logs of all events, as well as apparatus or special equipment used during procedure
• Monitors on-line computerized data from patients to assess and relate multiple parameters such as valvular gradients. Monitors data for abnormal readings.
• Troubleshoots all equipment in laboratories to ensure proper operation.
• Alerts physician, health team members of pt status, any significant variations in vital signs
• Attends in-service meetings and others as requested. Keeps current on catheterization laboratory procedures and equipment.
• Performs other related duties as requested by authorized personnel.

Essential Functions:

• Interpersonal skills necessary in order to communicate with patients in often stressful situations and exchange factual information regarding patients' status with physicians or other health team members;
• Analytical skills necessary in order to review several data sources at one time, recognize normal and abnormal physiological data and make quick and accurate decisions as to patient status;
• Ability to lift, push and pull patients to obtain proper positioning and to stand and walk up to fifty (50) percent of work time, when conducting procedures

Working Conditions:

• Normal laboratory environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, and the like;
• Occasional (up to 20% of work time) exposure to patients with infectious diseases

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• Certified BLS Provider specializing in Basic Life Support credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA) obtained within 3 Months (90 days) of hire date or job transfer date required.
• One or more of the following required:
• Certified Advanced Life Support specializing in Advanced Cardio Life Support credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA) obtained within 3 Months (90 days) of hire date or job transfer date. Or
• Registered Cardiographic Tech specializing in Cardiac-Intrvn Radiography credentialed from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) obtained within 18 Months (1 1/2 year) of hire date or job transfer date. (RCIS) required, or a Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES); OR
• Must obtain CCI certification as RCIS/RCES within 18 months of hire date and must be renewed as required.

Education:

• Requires graduate of:
• Accredited school of cardiovascular technology,
• Accredited school of radiology, or
• Associate degree clinically relevant health care related field, such as health science, rehabilitation.

Work Experience:

• Experience preferred, not required.