Allied Health
Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist
(a.k.a.
Cardiovascular Technologist, Cath Lab Technologist)
Sample Job Description
The cardiovascular technologist (CVT) works in a hospital
as a member of a team of medical professionals. They work with patients
suspected of having cardiovascular disease. The CVT works to diagnose and treat
these various cardiovascular pathologies. They work in a cath. lab with
cardiologists. The cath. lab is a specialized X-ray angiography suite where a
patient undergoes cardiac diagnostic and interventional procedures. Coronary
angiography is a diagnostic procedure where small tubes called catheters are
inserted into the blood vessels and advanced to the heart. Contrast is injected
through these catheters to illuminate the blood vessels. X-ray motion pictures
are taken to create a road map as the contrast flows through the vessels. If
there are obstructions they will be visualized. Pressures in the various
chambers are also measured. This provides the physician a working diagnosis. The
patient is consulted and a treatment plan is formulated. This plan may mean
another visit to the lab to treat the disease. This would be called an
interventional procedure. The most common type of interventional procedures are
designed to open obstructed blood vessels. To treat electrical problems we may
implant pacemakers or defibrillators. These procedures require a team of three
technologists with the physician. The credentials of the team may vary by region
however the roles are consistent in the cath. lab. These are:
- Scrub
Surgically scrubs in, preps and drapes the patient, then
assists the physician with equipment. Equipment includes needles, wires,
catheters, and medications. - Circulator
Moves about the lab during the procedure providing
equipment to the scrub tech. as needed. Also attends to the needs of the patient
as well as managing the IV drugs. - Monitor
Watches over the vital signs during the procedure.
Documents the procedure and creates a medical record. Records the intra cardiac
pressures. Is responsible for interdepartmental communications.
There are many other procedures and sub procedures the
CVT will be involved with. The roles are similar but the equipment and patients
are variable.
Required skills and abilities:
- Fluent in medical terminology
- Demonstrates the principals of surgical asepsis
- Attends to details
- Understands cardiovascular pathophysiology
- Read a 12 lead EKG
- Identifies lethal arrhythmias 100% of the time
- Identify normal versus abnormal intra cardiac and peripheral pressure
waveforms
- Work as a member of a team
- Practice a code of medical ethics
- Fluent in English
- Must have good bilateral finger dexterity, good hearing and vision in low
light conditions
Level of training:
Is a graduate of an accredited program having earned an
AAS in invasive cardiovascular technology. Definitions of an accredited program
are established by CAHAAP and the AMA.
And
Has passed the RCIS exam
administered by CCI.
Opportunities for advancement:
Cardiovascular technologists can advance to supervisory
or management positions within the health care provider organization. Another
opportunity is to leave the direct patient care arena and enter the "industry".
This means working for a medical manufacturer. These positions might be in sales
or clinical applications. With additional training the CVT can become a
perfusionist. The perfusionist runs the "Heart -Lung machine' to maintain the
patient during cardiac surgery. This requires two more years, but is not offered
at SCC. Some CVT's have their own business where they hire themselves out per
case. There are other opportunities for creative individuals.
Special restrictions:
As the nature of cardiology is often emergent, living
within 30 minutes of your employer is often a requirement. This allows you to
respond in a timely manner when you are "on call".
Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds.
Special licenses:
RCIS, which is accepted nationally, is recommended though
not required by all institutions.