CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST FT [0369]

A Team Solutions LLC•San Diego, CA

91d•$58 - $63•Onsite

About The Position

A-Team Solutions is seeking a full-time Cardiovascular Technologist for a contract position at the VA San Diego HealthCare System. The contract is for 1 year with the possibility of up to 4 additional years. This role involves 8-hour shifts, requires on-call availability, and may involve overtime. The Cardiovascular Technologist will function as the first assistant to the Cardiologist during diagnostic and interventional catheterization procedures, including coronary angiograms, angioplasty, ventricular angiography, thrombolytic procedures, electrophysiology catheter ablation, aortic balloon pump counter-pulsation, post coronary bypass graft studies, and Pacemaker/AICD implantation.

Requirements

Completion of an accredited Cardiovascular Technologist Program (CVT) or Certified Radiologic Technologist Program (CRT)
2 years hospital experience
Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS); or Certified Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT); or Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT)
CRT Board of Health California or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

Responsibilities

Function as the first assistant to the Cardiologist during cardiovascular procedures.
Perform a wide range of diagnostic tests and support duties, including collecting blood samples for analysis.
Operate radiologic fluoroscopy equipment and assist/perform tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS), echocardiograms, and Intracoronary Pressure Wire.
Monitor cardiac rhythms and recognize abnormal and life-threatening rhythms.
Perform other monitoring procedures such as oximetry, blood pressure, arterial monitoring, and intracardiac monitoring, recognizing abnormal readings.
Perform patient care procedures such as applying dressings and collecting specimens or blood samples.
Be scrubbed and gowned, preparing catheters, guide wires, transducers, angioplasty balloons, stents, and manifold assembly.
Operate the angiographic pressure injector to control pressure development and minimize ventricular irritability.
Function in a non-sterile role (circulator) by preparing the vascular access site, positioning the patient, operating equipment, opening sterile supplies, and monitoring patient physiologic response.
Operate the defibrillator and initiate CPR during cardiac arrest.
Set up the Procedure Suite, ensuring sterile supplies and equipment are properly presented.
Set up Mac Lab and GE Innova x-ray computers, perform quality checks, and set up the GE x-ray diagnostic system.
Perform quality checks of lead shielding equipment in compliance with National Standards (JCAHO, OSHA, ALARA).
Prepare computer software and peripheral devices to quantify coronary lesions and generate reports.
Maintain logs of patient data and library of videotapes and hardcopy tracings.
Perform daily calibration of equipment, including ECG, Oximetry, IABP, balloon catheters, code cart, Intravascular ultrasound, Fick cardiac output device, Therapeutic Pressure wire, and defibrillator.
Perform quality checks for lab analysis equipment (blood gas, coagulation studies) and ensure emergency medication availability.
Perform quality assessment of the 35mm cine film processor.
Coordinate the scheduling of patients.
Generate reports and keep records, reviewing test results with the interpreting physician.
Utilize electronic medical records for scheduling, patient exam notes, and results.
Perform elementary preventative maintenance of laboratory equipment and coordinate services with Biomedical Engineering.
Recognize normal and diseased anatomy and understand coronary arteries, cardiac chamber anomalies, and pressure requirements of the heart.
Understand electrocardiography (EKG) and recognize abnormal cardiac rhythms during catheterization.
Recognize and provide for the psychosocial needs of patients and their families, explaining procedures to reduce anxiety.