Technologist - Cardiac Cath Lab

OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB:

This position is responsible for reviewing and monitoring patient care and use of hospital resources to ensure the patient receives high quality, cost effective care. This position is also responsible for establishing and maintaining contact with various insurance agencies and reporting to them pertinent patient information to obtain certification for services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB: (other duties may be assigned)

1. Assists Cardiologist in performance of diagnostic invasive procedures.

KEY MEASURES:

• Maintains operational knowledge of Cath Lab equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Assists and performs diagnostic invasive procedures in the Cardiac Cath Lab. Provides care for patients prior, during and after procedures. Scrubs and assists Cardiologist as requested
• Responds to patient distress situations and assists with equipment quality control and inventory management.
• Prepares sterile trays, instruments, supplies and equipment necessary for procedures, and maintains sterile field. Provides all appropriate services to safely and efficiently complete patient’s procedures.
• Maintains knowledge of cardiac concepts and clinical practices.

2. Possesses the knowledge & skills level of basic and complex invasive procedures

KEY MEASURES:

• Performs Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), stents, IABP placement and operation and peripheral interventions.
• Responsible for patient safety in the CCL and must be able to recognize cardiac arrhythmias and respond according to emergency protocols, operate external cardiac pacemaker and defibrillator. Intervenes with appropriate therapy in the event of cardiac emergencies.

3. Operation of equipment

KEY MEASURES:

• Maintains, troubleshoots and operates fluoroscopy equipment to ensure operability and safety.
• Maintains operational knowledge of Cath Lab equipment according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Calibrates equipment and performs routine preventive maintenance procedures.
• Properly handles and processes PACS images to include storage and transfer.
• Follows radiation safety policies as outlined by the NRC and the Hospital’s Radiation Safety Committee.

4. Patient care

KEY MEASURES:

• Monitors and records patients' hemodynamic status during procedures.
• Immobilizes patients as necessary and practices radiation safety procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Prepares rooms with appropriate instruments, sutures, supplies and equipment
• Drapes patients for surgical procedures & opens sterile supplies and sets up for procedures

5. Perform quality control procedures.

KEY MEASURES:

• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Prepares and maintains written documentation as required by the profession and the department.
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required

1. Employee Development

KEY MEASURES:

• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, attends in-services, workshops and staff meetings as required.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.
• Participate in Quality Initiatives.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB:

1. Other duties as assigned.
2. Respond to all emergency code and situations.
3. Attends meetings as required.
4. Adjust care and communication to the age and comprehension level of the patient.
5. Stock room with supplies, stores incoming supplies, notifies supervisor when inventory is low.
6. Report equipment malfunction to supervisor.
7. Perform other related duties as assigned or required.
8. Follow standard precaution guidelines.