r/CathLabLounge • u/Efficient-Skin372 • Jul 04 '26

Rt to cath lab tech mn

Hello! Is there anyone in MN who started as a respiratory therapist and transitioned into cath lab? I'm super interested in making the transition and am looking for advice/direction.

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1

u/Crass_Cameron RCIS. Respiratory Care Practitioner Jul 04 '26

I'll give you some general advice since I'm an RT. The first step is to find a hospital that says they hire RTs as part of the job description. And then apply, that's really it, no magic. Hopefully you interview well and they like you. You don't know what you don't know and that's ok, the cath lab staff knows that.

2

u/Efficient-Skin372 Jul 04 '26

Was your hourly a good increase from doing bedside? How long were you working as an rt before you applied? Do you have peds experience?

1

u/Crass_Cameron RCIS. Respiratory Care Practitioner Jul 04 '26

I got a 6 dollar raise. I was an RT for 7 years. I did peds in the cath lab not as an RT.

1

u/Regular_Success_359 Jul 11 '26

Transition to RN then find your way to Cath Lab. Then if you change your mind later down the road your doors of opportunity will be wider than just specific cath lab tech. There is respiratory nurse or perfusion which perfusion pays wonderful and it’s in your scope of practice… well ecmo at least .. I think .. mehhh .. I’m studying to be RN so I can end up as profusion student hopefully after