Description
Assist cardiologists with diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization by preparing patients and equipment, operating hemodynamic monitoring systems and imaging support, managing contrast and devices under physician direction, maintaining a sterile field, and ensuring patient safety and accurate documentation.
- • Verify patient identity, procedure, consent, allergies, and pre-procedure requirements; document baseline data.
- • Explain the catheterization process to patients to reduce anxiety and obtain cooperation.
- • Prepare, position, and drape patients for radial or femoral access using aseptic technique.
- • Apply ECG leads and noninvasive monitors; establish and label hemodynamic transducers.
- • Calibrate and zero pressure transducers; capture baseline pressures and oximetry values.
- • Assist with vascular access preparation and ultrasound guidance support per protocol.
- • Scrub in to prepare and pass sterile catheters, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, stents, and closure devices.
- • Operate hemodynamic monitoring systems to record and annotate pressures, ECG, and oximetry during procedures.
- • Calculate hemodynamic parameters such as gradients, shunts, valve areas, and cardiac output using Fick or thermodilution methods.
- • Operate or assist with angiographic imaging controls and table positioning per physician direction, following radiation safety practices.
- • Prepare and manage contrast media; assist with injection via manifold or power injector under physician direction and track total contrast dose.
- • Monitor patient comfort, vital signs, and ECG for ischemia or arrhythmias; promptly alert the physician to changes.
- • Assist with physiologic and intravascular imaging tools, including FFR/iFR pressure wires, IVUS, and OCT.
- • Anticipate and assist with PCI, atherectomy, valvuloplasty, ventriculography, temporary pacemaker insertion, and IABP setup.
- • Adjust equipment settings and controls according to physician orders and established protocols.
- • Check, troubleshoot, and maintain cath lab and hemodynamic equipment; perform quality checks and minor repairs.
- • Prepare, label, and manage medications and flush solutions on the sterile field; assist with administration per policy and document doses.
- • Maintain a sterile field and adhere to infection control, radiation safety, and sedation monitoring policies.
- • Assist with sheath removal and achieve hemostasis using manual pressure or closure devices; assess and dress access sites.
- • Document procedural times, devices, radiation exposure, contrast volume, and hemodynamic data; generate and distribute procedure reports.
- • Restock and manage inventory; clean and turn over the room; precept students or new staff; participate in on-call STEMI and emergency response including CPR.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
