Cardiac Catheterization Lab Technologists: What They Do and How to Become One

Cardiac Catheterization Lab Technologists: What They Do and How to Become One

 

You’ve always been drawn to the healthcare field, and the high-impact, high-intensity work that comes along when dealing with serious health conditions sounds like it could be the perfect fit for you. While there are certainly several healthcare roles that share this appeal, working in the cardiac catheterization lab as a diagnostic imaging specialist is one option that’s caught your attention.

Whether you’re an established radiologic technologist or allied healthcare professional, or you’re just considering potential healthcare career options, this niche role is certainly worth further exploration and consideration.

In this article, you’ll learn more about what the “cath lab” is used for, the role and responsibilities of cardiac cath lab technologists, and what it takes to get started in this specialty role.

What is the cardiac “cath lab” used for?

The catheterization laboratory is set up to help patients who can benefit from the use of diagnostic imaging equipment to visualize arteries and treat any abnormalities found. Many cath lab procedures are generally considered safer and less invasive than surgery and can help patients avoid or postpone riskier procedures like open-heart surgery.

Common cardiac cath lab procedures can include:

  • Heart tissue biopsies
  • Atherectomies: Minimally invasive procedure for removal of plaque from an artery
  • Balloon angioplasties: Procedure used for breaking up arterial plaque and stretching of a vessel to allow for additional blood flow
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): Treatment stenosis of coronary arteries
  • Septal closure device placement: For treatment of atrial septal defects
  • Stenting: Placement of a device to help vessels stay open
  • Thrombectomies: The removal of debris or a clot from an artery at the point of formation

Conducting these procedures is a team of healthcare specialists, including interventional cardiologists, registered nurses and catheterization lab technicians.

What is a cardiac cath lab tech?

Cardiac catheterization procedures require highly specialized equipment to be successful, and cardiac cath lab techs are the team members tasked with operating these critical tools. Like other types of radiologic technologists, these techs operate specialized diagnostic imaging equipment while patients undergo cath lab procedures. To get an idea of what that looks like, let’s walk through an example.

Before a procedure starts, the cardiac cath lab tech will prepare the sterile procedure tray and ensure the lab is equipped with anything the team will need during the procedure. Cath lab procedures, while typically minimally invasive, must still be conducted in a sterile environment to prevent infection—that means all staff must scrub in and help protect the sterile field once in the lab. Once the patient is in the lab, the cath lab tech sets to work on prepping the patient, preparing the incision site and providing any comfort they can to the patient.

During the procedure, the cath lab tech will work with fluoroscopes or other imaging equipment to help the physician guide the catheter on its way to the heart. This is done with the help of a specialized contrast dye that provides a clearer picture of the patient’s heart and blood vessels. The tech may also function as a first assist and help keep an eye on patient vitals, including specific cardiac measurements like pressure tracings and the electrocardiogram (EKG) rhythm.

Additionally, some cardiac cath lab techs may be tasked with administering medication depending on the state, the hospital and the professional’s specific credentialing.

How to become a cardiac cath lab tech

There are several different paths you can take to become a cardiac cath lab tech. While it can be confusing to decide which path is best for you, it’s worth checking your state health department’s scope of practice for cath lab techs and reviewing job descriptions for local hospitals to get a sense of what credentials they look for most commonly.

Typically, working in invasive cardiology requires more training than noninvasive testing like resting EKGs, stress testing or echo cardiology.

Employers typically look for either certified radiologic technologists or cardiovascular technicians and other related allied health professionals who have earned a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)® certification.

Radiologist technologists must be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT) or an equivalent organization, which means completing an associate’s or bachelor’s program, passing the ARRT exam and receiving your primary credentials. Additionally, prospective cardiac cath lab techs will likely want to pursue Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification as well as the ARRT’s Vascular Interventional Radiology credential.

After graduating, would-be cardiac cath lab techs may first want to build related experience in a hospital or clinic. Given the relatively high stakes of catheterization lab procedures, it’s helpful to have a strong foundation of experience working with a lower-acuity patient population first.

Cardiac catheterization lab tech skills

So what does it take to be effective in this role? Cath lab techs will need a strong grasp on how to use and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment, patient anatomy, sterile procedures and other critical technical knowledge that can be developed in an academic program.

Beyond the technical skills needed, cath lab techs will also need a solid mix of soft skills and tendencies to be an effective member of the team.

The cardiac cath lab can be an intense place, as mistakes can come with life-threatening consequences for the patient. Cath lab techs need to have a perfectionist’s eye for detail—whether that’s in the form of being absolutely sure all equipment is prepared and ready for a procedure, maintaining a sterile field or monitoring a patient for signs of trouble during a procedure.

Additionally, the ability to keep calm, communicate effectively and work seamlessly as a team member during high-pressure situations is critical. Physicians often have demanding expectations of their support team, and being able to listen to their directions and adapt as needed without getting flustered is a big plus. 

Could a cath lab tech career be in your future?

Working in the cath lab can be a fulfilling way to find your place in healthcare. Seeing the tangible, life-extending impact interventional cardiology has on patients is an undeniably rewarding experience—and you too could get in on the action.

One of the most straightforward ways to working in the cardiac catheterization lab is to first get established as a radiologic technologist. Learn more about your first step in our article “How to Become a Radiologic Technologist: Examining Your Path.

Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) is a registered trademark of Cardiovascular Credentialing International Corporation.
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is a registered trademark of The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Corporation.

About the author

Kirsten Slyter

Kirsten is a Content Writer at Collegis Education where she enjoys researching and writing on behalf of Rasmussen University. She understands the difference that education can make and hopes to inspire readers at every stage of their education journey.

writer

Related Content

Related Content

This piece of ad content was created by Rasmussen University to support its educational programs. Rasmussen University may not prepare students for all positions featured within this content. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. External links provided on rasmussen.edu are for reference only. Rasmussen University does not guarantee, approve, control, or specifically endorse the information or products available on websites linked to, and is not endorsed by website owners, authors and/or organizations referenced. Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

logo-accreditation-acen logo-accreditation-ccne chart-credential-laddering-associates-bachelors-masters 0 Credits 90 Credits 180 Credits 48 Credits Start Here HIGH SCHOOL GRADS Start Here TRANSFER STUDENTS Start Here SECOND DEGREE PURSUERS End Here ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE Start Here MASTER'S DEGREE PURSUERS End Here BACHELOR'S DEGREE End Here MASTER'S DEGREE chart-credential-laddering-associates-bachelors 0 Credits Start Here HIGH SCHOOL GRADS Start Here TRANSFER STUDENTS 90 Credits Start Here SECOND DEGREE PURSUERS End Here ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE 180 Credits End Here BACHELOR'S DEGREE chart-credential-laddering-msn chart-credential-laddering-nursing-programs chart-credential-laddering-nursing DNP MSN RN to BSN LPN to RN Bridge Accelerated BSN Professional Nursing ADN Practical Nursing Diploma Pre-Licensure Post-Licensure icon-colored-outline-bank icon-colored-outline-certificate icon-colored-outline-circle-dollar-sign icon-colored-outline-folder-search icon-colored-outline-hand-heart icon-colored-outline-head-blocks icon-colored-outline-head-cog icon-colored-outline-head-heart icon-colored-outline-health-plus-leaves icon-colored-outline-hospital icon-colored-outline-lifelong-learning icon-colored-outline-light-bulb-analytics icon-colored-outline-location-pin icon-colored-outline-magnifying-glass icon-colored-outline-monitor-healthcare icon-colored-outline-monitor-paper-search icon-colored-outline-nurse-rays icon-colored-outline-padlock-shield icon-colored-outline-person-presenter-screen icon-colored-outline-scales ras-logo-flame ras-logo-horizontal ras-logo-stacked icon-colored-advance icon-colored-arrows-cross-curve icon-colored-briefcase-star icon-colored-build icon-colored-bulb-analytics icon-colored-certificate icon-colored-continual-development icon-colored-duo-chatbox icon-colored-folder-mortarboard icon-colored-forward-ribbon icon-colored-gears-clock icon-colored-globe-pen icon-colored-growth icon-colored-hand-bubble icon-colored-hand-stars icon-colored-hands-gear icon-colored-head-blocks icon-colored-head-cog icon-colored-health-plus-leaves icon-colored-hospital-building icon-colored-laptop-cbe-skyscraper icon-colored-laptop-checkmark icon-colored-laptop-webpage icon-colored-location-map icon-colored-location-pin icon-colored-monitor-paper-scan icon-colored-mortarboard-dollar icon-colored-national icon-colored-people-chat-bubbles icon-colored-person-cheer-star icon-colored-person-laptop-checkboxes icon-colored-person-screen-instructor icon-colored-person-whiteboard icon-colored-phone-chatbox icon-colored-police-light icon-colored-prep icon-colored-presenter icon-colored-regional icon-colored-save-time icon-colored-shirt-hat icon-colored-skyscraper icon-colored-state icon-colored-student-centered icon-colored-support icon-colored-world-experience icon-triangle-arrow-up-plant icon-triangle-calendar-pencil icon-triangle-clock-rotating-arrows icon-triangle-display-gears icon-triangle-hand-right-speech-bubble icon-triangle-laptop-coding-brackets icon-triangle-mortarboard icon-triangle-paper-ribbon icon-triangle-person-cheer-star icon-triangle-person-juggle icon-triangle-triple-people-chat-bubble icon-modality-campus icon-modality-field icon-modality-online icon-modality-residential icon-arrow icon-bank icon-camera icon-filter icon-general-chart icon-general-connect icon-general-degree icon-general-discuss icon-general-email icon-general-find icon-general-hat icon-general-heart icon-general-laptop-building icon-general-laptop icon-general-leader icon-general-map icon-general-money icon-general-paperwork icon-general-people icon-general-phone icon-general-speak-out icon-head-heart icon-info-circle icon-mail-forward icon-mglass icon-play-solid icon-quote-mark-left icon-quote-mark-right icon-scales icon-share-square-o icon-simple-chat icon-simple-desktop icon-simple-find icon-simple-hamburger icon-simple-phone icon-spinner icon-tag icon-testimonial-quotes icon-util-checkbox-white icon-util-checkbox icon-util-checked-white icon-util-checked icon-util-chevron-down icon-util-chevron-left icon-util-chevron-right icon-util-chevron-up icon-util-circle-arrow-down icon-util-circle-dot icon-util-language-switch icon-util-loading icon-util-open-window-link icon-util-pdf-link icon-util-refresh icon-util-x rebrand-arrows icon-social-facebook-colored icon-social-facebook-square-colored icon-social-facebook-square icon-social-facebook icon-social-google-plus-square icon-social-google-plus icon-social-instagram-colored icon-social-instagram icon-social-linkedin-square-colored icon-social-linkedin-square icon-social-linkedin icon-social-pinterest-p-colored icon-social-pinterest-p icon-social-twitter-colored icon-social-twitter-square icon-social-twitter icon-social-youtube-play-colored icon-social-youtube-play graduate-cap-star-coin hand-coin hand-heart nurse-stethoscope-rays card-send-smile person-yoga-pose suitcase-star