A Cath lab technicians which is also known as cardiac catheterization technologists, are cardiovascular technologists who work in materials that run tests on heart health. They help with the insertion of catheters into the heart, and are responsible for measuring and administering special fluids. These small tubes and fluids are used for tests to determine how well the heart is working. Tests include x-rays, pressure checks, and pumping strength evaluations. The cath lab technician works under the supervision of a physician, and must monitor patients for life-threatening changes during a procedure. Some cath labs also support noninvasive heart health procedures. Learn about the equipment you’d operate as a cath lab technician, and review the training options for the job.
What Is Cath Lab Tech Job?
A cath lab tech job is the type of job that involved a technicians working with the facilities that run test on heart health. It is also the type of job that involve insertion of catheters into the heart. Note, this kind of job required a technician to work under the supervision of a medical doctor, and must stay and monitor patients for life threating health condition.
What Are The Requirement of Cath Lab Tech Job?
However, for cath lab tech job. Firstly, you must have job training programmed. Secondly, you must have a postsecondary certificate or associate degree programs. Finally, you must have the following quality as cath lab tech
1. Good mental and physical health to work for long periods of time in a highly stressful atmosphere is required.
2. The ability to multi-task competing priorities during life and death scenarios is a necessity
3. RCIS is preferred
4. The candidate must meet the current CCI requirements to sit for the CCI Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Exam
5. Graduate from an accredited Cardiac Cath Technology or Radiology Technology program
6. Minimum of 1 years’ experience in Cardiac Cath Lab Invasive Technologist role
What are the Responsibilities of a cath Lab Tech?
Cath lab technician is responsible for the following duties in a laboratory healthcare. This responsibilities includes:
1. Monitor patients’ vital signs during tests, assist in administration of catheterization, and operate machines used for cath procedures.
2. Performs duties in compliance with universal precaution and infection control.
3. Adheres to department standards for on call coverage.
4. Obtains required patient history and/or consents, reviews for accuracy, completeness and verifies patient identification and information prior to procedure.
5. Verifies lab results prior to procedure to determine that the results are within the normal ranges for procedure and that the patient is a candidate for administration of contrast material according to protocol.
6. Responsible for cleaning equipment, exam rooms and keeps an orderly work area for improved efficiency.
7. Utilizes computer system within the hospital guidelines.
8. Proficient in required computer programs, documentation and computer charting.
9. Graduate of AMA approved school of Radiologic Technology, Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Paramedic Program or Respiratory Therapist Program.
10. Cardiac or special procedure experience – Preferred.
11. ECG interpretation experience – Preferred.
What Are The Qualification of a Cath Lab Tech?
1. Certified/Registered Radiologic Technologist, Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist, Paramedic or Respiratory Therapist in State of FL.
2. Registered with American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
3. Basic Life Support (Accredited through American Heart Association or American Red Cross).
4. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) -(Accredited through American Heart Association or American Red Cross) – Preferred or must be acquired within three (3) months of employment.
5. Adheres to approved standards of aseptic technique during an invasive procedure.
6. Administers Fluid and contrast material under the direct supervision of the attending physician.
What Does a Cath Lab Technician Do?
As a cath lab technician, who is also known as a cardiology technician, firstly, you will use machines that help diagnose various conditions of the heart. Aside from invasive catheterization. Secondly, you might also use other machines like EKG, this machine will allow you to get a reading by attaching electrodes to a patient’s body and recording electrical variations of the heart. Thirdly, you can then supply a printout of that reading to a physician for diagnosis.
Finally, you may also assist with treadmill stress testing. With this procedure, you record the medical history of the patient, attach the EKG, complete a blood pressure assessment and monitor the performance of the heart while the patient walks on a treadmill. This procedure will observe the effect of increased exertion on the patient’s heart while you monitor all of the activity.
Beyond working with various types of cardiac equipment, you may also schedule appointments, maintain files and care for equipment. It may be helpful in this field if you have a tendency to pay close attention to details.
What Type of Education or Training Do I Need?
Most cath lab technicians, who work specifically with EKGs machine receive on-the-job training that lasts between four and six weeks. But most employers often prefer to train individuals who already work in the healthcare field. If you work with more complex equipment, training on-the-job may last between 18 and 24 months. In addition, there are a variety of one-year certificate programs available as well.
However, this is an entry-level position. While certification and licensing is not required, you can advance from this position with additional education, certification and licensing.
What Is the Job Outlook?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this field is expected to experience faster than average job growth of 8% between 2023 and 2030 (www.bls.gov). The average yearly income for a cath lab technician was $60,940, according to the BLS in 2023, but salaries in this field vary greatly since a cath lab technician can have such a wide variety of responsibilities.
Conclusion.
It is very important to note that a cath lab tech can also become a diagnostic medical sonographer. Meanwhile, these professionals use ultrasound technology to create images that doctors can use to diagnose diseases and conditions. Some sonographers specialize in cardiovascular imaging, but other sonography jobs are also available. For one of these jobs, you usually need to complete a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree program. Another diagnostic imaging job option is a career as a nuclear medicine technologist.