Cardiology Technician III

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on providing medical and clinical support services to patients. In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Cardiology related duties: Evaluates physical conditions related to blood flow and pressure in the coronary arteries and heart chambers by utilizing specialized imaging and other diagnostic techniques. A clinical technologist role that has specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, and experience. This role will be most commonly applied to patient care and/or scientific/laboratory jobs. A senior level role requiring broad knowledge of operational procedures and tools obtained through extensive work experience and requiring vocational or technical education. Works under limited supervision for routine situations, problems typically are not routine and require analysis to understand, provides assistance and/or may lead and train entry level employees and may lead daily operation activities.

Job Overview

Under general supervision, and according to established policies and procedures, this position performs and assists in noninvasive and invasive cardiac procedures. Responsible for monitoring, recording, generating reports on patients' vitals and hemodynamic data during procedures. Performs clinical testing on blood gases, oxygen saturations, and activated clotting times according to established policies and procedures.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Completion of EKG course and EKG Certificate.

3. Basic Life Support Certification.

4. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.

5. Two (2) years of related EKG/Holter Monitor experience or working in a cardiology clinic.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Associate's Degree.

2. Four (4) years of related EKG/Holter Monitor experience or working in a cardiology clinic.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Uses the computer to detect abnormal heart beats through a series of "mode and template changes" and to find signs of arrhythmia compile a printed report with representative "strip" selected at scanner's discretion and types interpretation into a final report.

2. Attaches recorder electrodes to patient's chest, after carefully preparing the skin and explaining to the patient the nature of the test and what is expected in keeping a diary of their activities, being careful of lead attachment and equipment, etc., and doing related paperwork, billing, logging in, etc.

3. Trains technicians to recognize good and bad QRS morphologies and how to eliminate artifact in recordings.

4. Fills in for absent EKG technicians and relieves technicians as necessary. Calls up EKGs on the computerized HP EKG System.

5. Performs Exercise Stress Tests using 3 Channel E KG machine, treadmill and monitoring scope.

6. Observes patients and monitoring tracing watching carefully for any sign of cardiac arrhythmia.

7. Explains in detail to patient, how to perform examination and obtain written consent form.

8. Takes brief medical history pertaining to present cardiac status and alerts physician of any significant changes in patient's history that may have occurred since test was ordered.

9. Operates EKG machines according to established procedures to record electrical impulse of heart muscle ailments.

10. Positions patient and attaches electrodes to areas of the body as specified by diagnostic procedures, utilizing proper consideration of the patient's condition.

11. Utilizes appropriate equipment to perform various special procedures related to measuring heart muscle function, such as Holter Monitoring and pacemaker evaluations.

12. Performs minor equipment adjustments such as changing lead wires and notifies supervisor of a serious malfunction.

13. Corresponds with CardioData on equipment problems and repairs.

14. Provides preventive maintenance of recorder.

15. Edits tracings for interpretation by physician, recording necessary patient information, tests performed.

16. Performs related clerical duties such as answering telephones, scheduling appointments, filing records, storing supplies, maintaining statistics log, billing forms, etc.

17. Maintains equipment in clean and proper working order and replenishes machine supplies as necessary.

18. Occasionally escorts patients to other test rooms.

19. Notifies physicians by phone of any abnormal test results.

20. Keeps current regarding developments in electrocardiograph trends and techniques and maintains proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques.

21. Calibrates and operates EKG machines according to established procedures to record electromotive variations in heart muscle action as scheduled.

22. Performs finger stick hematocrits (centrifuge method).

Physical Requirements:

1. Frequent standing, occasional sitting & walking, lifting of 30-35 lbs.

2. Pushing, pulling, and moving stretchers and sonography machines.

3. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate transducers, sonography equipment and computer keyboard.

4. Hearing and visual sufficient to perform examinations, observe patients, read monitors and documents, hear equipment and hospital alarms.

5. Close contact with patients having contagious diseases.

6. Frequent contact with patients, physicians, patients' families, and other personnel throughout the hospital.

7. Ability to concentrate for long periods of time under various conditions while acquiring diagnostic information.

Skills & Abilities:

1. Technical ability to set up, operate and maintain various biomedical instruments used in the cardiac catheterization lab.

2. Basic understanding of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology so as to understand the procedures being performed.

3. Verbal skills to effectively communicate pertinent information to all personnel involved in catheterization procedures.

4. Physical ability to assist with transfer and transport of patients and capability.

5. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patients under care.

6. Working knowledge of relationship between monitoring, data collection, and imaging systems in the lab.

7. Ability to read, write, perform simple arithmetic calculations, and have basic knowledge of physical sciences.