Cardiovascular Technologist 1

Wellstar Health System•Douglasville, GA

About The Position

The Cardiovascular Technologist I is an entry-level professional who is training to assist physicians during diagnostic and therapeutic invasive cardiovascular procedures in the cath and/or electrophysiology lab. The role involves learning to operate specialized equipment safely and efficiently, maintaining sterile technique, and supporting a safe and efficient clinical environment. Patients served are primarily adults ages 18–65 and geriatric patients over age 65. Once appropriately oriented and checked off on clinical and operational competencies, the technologist may participate in the cath or EP call rotation. The technologist trains in monitoring, scrubbing, and circulating roles; patient preparation and education; and post-procedure instructions. The role also includes patient identification and procedural safety checks, transport and comfort support, documentation and record maintenance, stocking supplies, and teamwork with cath/EP lab staff. The position requires flexibility to meet departmental needs and the ability to work scheduled and on-call hours when allowed.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least one year of work experience in a medical setting; with an associate degree or higher, one year of relevant experience is required. With a high school diploma, one year of specific medical-setting experience such as LPN, RT, EMT, or paramedic is required.
ACLS or an accepted equivalent certification; ACLS-Provisional is permitted within 180 days.
BLS or an accepted equivalent certification.
Basic knowledge of cardiovascular cath or electrophysiology procedures, patient positioning, exposure factors, and radiation protection.
Ability to communicate and understand verbal and written English.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, patients, families, and physicians; positive attitude.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Health Science.
Accredited program in Radiologic Science.
Bachelor’s degree in Health Science.
Basic knowledge of electrocardiography, coronary heart disease, cardiac anatomy and physiology, preferably including EKG interpretation.
Basic knowledge of hemodynamics, intracardiac electrograms, and electrophysiology equipment.

Responsibilities

Train to assist physicians with facility-specific cardiovascular cath and EP procedures.
Train to function in monitoring, scrubbing, or circulating roles.
Work with interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and cardiologists.
Train to prepare and educate patients for procedures, including post-procedure home-care instructions and education about future procedures or transfer.
Demonstrate and understand sterile technique.
Use critical-thinking skills and react quickly to emergency patient-care situations.
Work scheduled hours and cath lab on-call hours when allowed; be flexible to meet departmental needs.
Follow communication channels and authority, handle communications appropriately, and answer departmental calls using proper scripting.
Introduce oneself to patients or guardians using appropriate scripting such as AIDET.
Transport patients as needed and provide privacy and comfort.
Assist with departmental records, Joint Commission standards, state and federal regulations, and performance improvement.
Learn to enter data in the cath lab log and verify its accuracy and completeness; complete required paperwork.
Maintain stock levels and monitor supply outdates.
Maintain current licenses and BLS/ACLS certifications.
Work collaboratively with cath/EP lab staff to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.
Prepare supplies and equipment for procedures.
Verify patient identity using two identifiers and check the chart for same or similar names.
Verify written orders and consent, seeking clarification when needed; use the preprocedural verification/time-out form and comply with site/side marking requirements when indicated.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.