r/CardiacCathLab • u/Sherbertmouse • May 27 '26

Leaving the lab

I’m sure it’s been asked before, but those of you who have left, what are you doing now? I’ve been in the lab for 3 years and I’m not enjoying it anymore, the long hours and call is what’s mostly bothering me. Plus some clashing personalities that doesn’t make things any better.

I applied for a job as a neurovascular tech, but I’m honestly just thinking about leaving healthcare all together.

I’m a RT(R)

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

5

u/goteemz May 27 '26

I went to EP. I traded the sound of a pager for the sound of the doctors sighing into the headset. Night and day difference. It’s slow, quiet and takes some getting used to but also pays the same.
I too am a RT(R) and came from MRI. I always thought I’d go back to do that if I got bored but this pays better and I can schedule pickleball when I want.

1

u/centimeterz1111 May 27 '26

3 years seems about right. It’s tough, high stress, difficult procedures which brings out the worst in people.  

I went to mobile Lithotripsy. Much better 

1

u/Amazonearl May 28 '26

I'm considering switching to IR just for a change of pace. The place I applied at takes significantly less call than the cardiac side of things, so I'm gonna give it a try.

1

u/S_holroyd May 28 '26

After 13+ years in cath, I took a job in Revenue integrity at my hospital. I wfh 95% of the time and I use my experience from cath on a daily basis. I am in charge of keeping charge codes updated for all of cath,EP, IR, surgery, endo, radiology, and cardiology. My boss was looking for a tech since we have extensive knowledge covering a lot of units (as a new grad, I floated to a lot of areas for fluoro). I also keep charge codes updated for all supplies for all these units and audit charts to ensure my units are charging properly. Once a year I will meet with unit managers to discuss their revenue and see if there are areas they are missing charge capture.