Cath Lab Technologist - Cardiac Cath Lab - Days

Position Function: The Cath Lab Technologist, is a member of the Cardiac Cath Team in the Cardiac Cath Lab, who works with the Interventional Cardiologist, Vascular Surgeon, Interventional Radiologist, and Registered Nurse to deliver direct patient care before, during and after Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiac or Peripheral catheterizations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
Unit Based Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Core Values: Service, Integrity, Compassion
1. Demonstrates service excellence and patient and family centered care by showing respect, honesty, fairness and a positive attitude toward all customers.
2. Maintains confidentiality.
3. Demonstrates dependability, to include attendance and punctuality.
4. Is accountable - takes initiative and ownership of issues.
5. Displays a professional demeanor. Represents hospital in a positive way. Has a compassionate working relationship with patients and families.
6. Assumes personal responsibility for 2-way communication. Communicates and listens effectively with patients, families, coworkers, other departments, physicians/providers and community.
7. Supports coworkers, initiatives and a patient and family centered philosophy; pitches in; does own part and helps others.
8. Works to continuously improve work environment/processes (Performance Improvement). Demonstrates a patient and family centered focus when considering/developing improvement solutions.
9. Represents willingness/enthusiasm to create, embrace and facilitate change.
10. Develops self and others; supports a learning environment; leads by example. Encourages patients and families to give feedback and suggestions for improvement.
11. Develops working relationships critical to the organization including patients, families, coworkers, other departments, physicians/providers and community.
12. Encourages others by providing recognition and support.

Technical Excellence
1. Thinks critically; utilizes sound judgment; promptly reports potential risks.
2. Maintains state of art knowledge of area of specialty, healthcare trends and practice, and populations served.
3. Maintains a level of computer literacy appropriate to their role.
4. Meets and maintains current all unit specific and organizational skills/competencies, certifications/licensures, as required.
5. Completes hospital-required reviews, e.g. HIPAA, safety, health screening, care concerns, and others as assigned.
6. Adheres to National Patient Safety Goals.

Job Class Specifics
1. Interprets patients' ECG pattern.
2. Identifies the cardiac needs of the cardiovascular patient.
3. Completes successful venipunctures 8 /year).
4. Assists the RN in patient data collection, reports any changes to the RN.
5. Supports the Mission, Vision and Values of the hospital. .
6. Meets expected standards of care for Cardiac Cath Lab.
7. Completes a 12 lead EKG (4/year).
8. Maintains radiation safety and protection devices as required
9. Demonstrates proper technique for removal of, caring for and maintaining, venous/arterial sheaths (8 /year).
10. Able to demonstrate proper sterile technique.
11. Able to demonstrate proper technique for assisting in cardiac cath and electrophysiological procedures
12. Able to monitor hemodynamic system for all procedures.
13. Assists in the operation of x-ray equipment.
14. Able to provide the Cardiologist, Electrophysiologist, or assistant with any equipment needed, anticipates and adjusts rapidly to needs during procedures.
15. Assists in the scheduling of patients.
16. Participation of On-call rotation.
17. Assists in obtaining specimens and ensures proper preparation and handling.
18. Experience monitoring and interpreting patient hemodynamics, documenting and reporting changes to performing physician, pre, intra, and post procedure.
19. Maintains minimal continuing education credits as required by ARRT, CI and RCIS..
20. Proactively renews certifications/renewals before the due date without reminders from supervisor.
21. Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
22. Routinely demonstrates competency and adherence to all organizational safety directives and P&Ps.
23. Contributes/participates in quality improvement activities throughout the year.
24. Accurately enters, updates, and edits ITS clinical/ demographic/technical information; utilizes EMR inquiry functions correctly.
25. Able to demonstrate proper technique for catheters/guidewire exchanges, and power injector operation.
26. Employee attends 75% of departmental and staff meetings.
27. Ensures that supplies and equipment necessary for patient care are stored in an organized and efficient manner.
28. Verifies correct patient by checking wristband with the name on requisition and verbally identifying patient.
29. Obtains patient history using standardized form, as indicated.
30. Explains procedures and educates the patient to reduce anxieties and obtain patient cooperation.
31. Transports, transfers, and positions patient during the examination process; adjusts immobilization devices to obtain optimum views of specified areas of the body; routinely insures that safety devices and restraints are used appropriately.
32. Moves x-ray equipment into specified position and adjusts controls to set exposure factors such as time and distance, based on knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques and protocols.
33. Practices radiation protection techniques, using beam restrictive devices, patient shielding skills, and knowledge of applicable exposure factors to minimize radiation to patient and staff.
34. Transports patients to appropriate locations post-procedure.
35. Maintains clean environment by cleaning and sanitizing surfaces between each patient.
36. Routinely demonstrates accountability to the organization's ALARA, Core Values, Confidentiality, Customer Service, HIPAA, Infection Control, Patient Safety, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Federal rules in all interactions or assignments.
37. Seeks knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to stay productive in current positions.
38. Completes assignments before end of shift, communicates outstanding issues to next shift for follow up.
39. Completes ERFs/injury reports accurately and within 24 hours.
40. Willingly shares knowledge and experience with students and shadowing visitors.
41. Creates a positive experience for patients, families, and co-workers by using customer service skills in daily work routine.
42. Performs other related duties or tasks as directed or assigned.
43. Collects data, identified priority problems, reports issues to the RN and physician, and document findings in the Cath Lab documentation system.

General Requirements

The following requirements are expected of all employees:

Core Values: Integrity, Compassion, Excellence, Service
Annual Health Screening with Infection Control and Blood Borne Pathogens Education
Safety Awareness: Hospital Fire, Safety, and Disaster Procedures
Confidentiality: Maintains Employee and Patient Confidentiality.
Attendance: Regular attendance is an essential function of the position
Leadership Standards:
Character: Attitude, Integrity, Role Modeling
Job Performance: Results Orientation, Customer Focus, Decision Making, Awareness
Interpersonal Skills: Communication, Relationship-building, Team Player, Celebration
Innovation: Breakthrough Thinking, Knowledge-Building/Sharing, Coaching/Empowering, System Vision & Management

Physical and Mental Requirements: Physical Standards and Abilities: Classified as heavy work by the Dictionary of Occupational Titles: May exert 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 20 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly in order to move objects.
- General good health as reflected in attendance.
- Stands constantly on tile or linoleum floor (often in the same position for long periods of time without interruption).
- Sits occasionally on a hard or cushioned chair/stool.
- Lifts up to 50 pounds laterally to and from waist level on a frequent basis.
- Carries instruments and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds frequently for distances of up to 100 feet
- Pushes/pulls up to 125 pounds frequently.
- Ability to operate hand and foot controls of radiology equipment
- Occasionally bends and squats from an upright position to lower levels.
- Frequently twists and stretches from the upper torso.
- Constantly reaches from side to side and from higher to lower levels in order to operate equipment.
- Ability to move, position and transport/transfer patients (weighing up to 300 pounds) to and from stretchers and Cath lab tables frequently during a normal shift (with assistance if needed).
- Constant ability to move rapidly (particularly during emergencies that could happen two or more times per shift).
- Manual dexterity, digital sensitivity and flexibility adequate for handling fine and bulky instruments; programming and manipulating equipment; setting up sterile instrument trays and supplies.
- Good eye/hand coordination.
- Near-visual acuity for seeing fine needles, distinguishing colors, sizes and shapes of sutures and instruments, deciphering fine print and viewing computer screens.
- Auditory acuity adequate for hearing normal voice tones when not facing the individual and/or when muffled behind a surgical mask, equipment alarms, call bells, telephone conversations, intercom, overhead pager, fire alarm, etc.
Mental Demands: Possesses good general mental health; ability to work under pressure while setting priorities and relating to patients and hospital staff; ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form with all team members; ability to speak, read and write the English language; Pharmacological understanding of medications used during catheterization procedures, mathematical ability necessary (counting, addition and subtraction) in order to perform frequent counts during surgery. Ability to read, write and comprehend medical terminology;

Working Environment: Work is performed in a clean well-ventilated, indoor area. Possible exposure to patients with infectious diseases or to bodily fluids, which may contain infectious agents. Some risk of harm through dealing with patients who may pose a danger to self, others or property. Interfaces with a diversity of customers.

Reporting Structure:
A. Formal Reporting and Chain of Command - Reports to the Nurse Manager of the Cardiac Cath Lab. In his/her absense, reports to the Director of Patient Services.
B. Informal Reporting and Relationships - Establishes and maintains harmonious, productive relationships with all levels of nursing personnel, other hospital personnel, management, physicians, patients and the general public.

Disclaimer: These essential job functions are requirements of the position which must be performed either with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential job function list is intended to be a guide rather than a limitation. The Chambersburg Hospital possesses the right to add new responsibilities to the list as business demands dictate. Some of the essential job functions may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat/significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or others.

By identifying essential job functions, we are in no way stating or implying that these required tasks are the only activities that are to be performed by the employee occupying this position. In addition, employees will also be expected to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties that are included in the job description. The preceding requirements represent only the minimum acceptable levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities that a job incumbent must possess; to perform the job successfully, the incumbent will possess additional aptitudes to perform the other duties that the job description entails.

Qualifications and Standards

Education: Graduate from an accredited School of Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist, Cardiovascular School of Technology, Radiology Technology, Surgical Technology, Practical Nursing, or equivalent education and experience. Course work or experience in the following preferred: balloon pump, sheath removal, femostop device, fractional flow reserve, IVUS machine, x-ray panning and diagnostic scrub experience.
Informal or Continuing Education: Evidence of participation in educational programs to update and maintain knowledge and clinical skills.

Experience: Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills required. Clinical experience in Cardiac Catheterization Operating room, or Interventional Radiology preferred

Certifications/Licensure: Graduate from an accredited School of Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist, Cardiovascular School of Technology or equivalent education and training, must be registered by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International Board (CCI) and achieve Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) within 24 months of hire; Graduate of a School of Radiology Technology or equivalent education and experience, must be registered by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and achieve Cardiac Intervention Radiography (CI) with in 24 months of hire, or achieve Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) with in 24 months of hire. Graduate of a school of Surgical Technology or equivalent education and experience must be certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and achieve Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) within 24 months of hire; Graduate of a school of Practical Nursing must be currently licensed as Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania and achieve Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) within 24 months of hire. ACLS must be obtained within 12 months of hire, BLS required. All Cath Lab technologists hired prior to October 31st 2018, must achieve the appropriate certification identified, based on their education and training no later than October 31st 2020.