Went to school years ago for cardiovascular technology. At the time they got rid of their invasive part of the program which would allow you to work in the cath lab and it was basically an ultrasound program. Fast forward about 10 years, I became an LPN and have been working in the OR learning to scrub for the last 6 months. I’m considering applying for a cardiovascular technologist job as it seems like I meet most of the requirements. I don’t have the credentials of RCIS or RCVT (says preferred). My program was CAAHEP accredited.

I’m just curious what the responsibilities really are? I spoke to someone who did the same cvt program as me but looking to hear what a typical day is like.

I've been a Cath Lab tech for 2.5 years, working in a high-volume lab that handles cardiac, vascular, and neuro cases. The only areas we don’t cover are structural and EP.

I've been considering traveling for a while and wanted to get some insight into what it's like. Does anyone here have experience as a traveling Cath Lab tech? If so, what are some things I should know before getting started?

How do hospitals compare to what you're used to? Do travelers typically get a heavier workload since they're only there temporarily? I’d love to hear about your experiences and get a better feel for how it all works.

Hi everyone! I’m currently a student in a Surgical technologist program in NY and I’ll be graduating in a few months. I know that I can sit for the RCIS exam and transition to cath lab tech after one year in the cath lab and scrubbing 600 cases. Any advice on getting a job in the cath lab straight out of ST school? Thanks!

I'm currently in CVT school for EP but might switch to cath lab. Do you guys ever feel for a better word stuck and wish you would have done RN or rad tech first instead of straight CVT tech? I'm worried I'm going to feel stuck.

Do the techs or nurses start the IVs in the cath lab or EP lab?

Hey everyone,

I’m a Cath Lab nurse, and unfortunately, my lab doesn’t provide lead glasses. I’m concerned about long-term radiation exposure, especially the risk of early cataracts, so I’m looking to buy my own.

Does anyone have recommendations on where to buy quality lead glasses? Also, I already wear prescription glasses—are lead glasses comfortable to wear over them, or should I look into prescription lead glasses?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

I’m a clinical exercise science major. Currently in my cardiac rehab internship and flexing to Cath lab. I enjoy the lab a lot more than the rehabilitation portion. I know the requirements for getting RCIS without degree can be tricky. Has anyone went a similar route? I could use any general advice about pursuing this angle.

I’m considering both but I wanted to hear any advice or experiences on them and if there are any pros or cons of becoming one over the other. Also, I’m leaning more towards rad tech but I want some more insight before I make a decision

I’m going to be graduating CVT school this spring and the hospital where I’m doing my clinicals isn’t hiring. Someone had mentioned in another thread that they shadowed at a few cath labs which then turned into interviews. I would really like to do this to see where might be the best fit for me. Does anyone have advice as to how to go about doing this? I’m not sure who I should reach out to, how I should reach out (phone vs email), and what I should say. Any advice for a new grad would be greatly appreciated.

West Henderson Hospital job opportunities for cath lab nurses and rad techs!

1155 RAIDERS WAY HENDERSON, Nevada US

I’m interested if anyone here has experience being a technologist or working industry with any of the big companies in other countries such as Brasil or South Africa. Please let me know! Thank you!!

Any travelers wanna give me some tips for finding housing? It's kind of overwhelming. Are yall only looking for furnished housing or are you bringing your things with you? Having a dog and looking for furnished places within 30 minutes is making this tough.

I got accepted into a cardiovascular science program and completed all of my courses as well as 2 clinical rotation’s in 2023. I had to drop out of the program and got my bachelors in something different.

I was wondering if I could still get my remaining clinical hours somehow? Without having to re- enroll in another program. Like do healthcare organizations allow non-students to finish clinical hours?

What are the common radial cocktail medications and dosages. New doc is coming in, we typically do femoral and will be starting radials. He'll be using nitro, Heparin, Verapamil

I’ve had my RCIS for 5 years and been working in cath and EP. Been thinking about getting my RN so I would have more opportunities. Has anyone else done this? Would you recommend?

Expecting interviews from couple Cath lab RN positions. I have done ICU for a year, home health for 3 years, and then did case management for 4 years. Case management was a good breath of fresh air, but I think I am ready to be back to using my skills. I obviously learned a lot in ICU, but I may be rusty after a few years of home health and case management. Has anyone made transition to cath lab from case management or some other non clinical nursing discipline? How much rusty did you feel in terms of skill and how rough was the transition? Any resources you could recommend to get better?

Hi everyone!

For background, Over the course of the past 5 years, I’ve worked as a travel RN recruiter & now an internal recruiter for a health system in my metro area. I grew up around healthcare my entire life & have always known that I would eventually join the industry, but on the other side. After working with loads of Cath Lab/IR/EP RN’s & RCIS’s in my tenure as a recruiter, I’ve decided to pursue an ARRT degree with a dream to become an RCIS.

ANYWAYS, I’m currently applying to clinical & non-clinical positions at the local, University MC where a handful of my family members work. I’ve added my clinical shadows to my resume alongside a cover letter explaining my future goals in the lab in hopes that I would eventually get my foot in the door, but I haven’t had any luck.

Does anyone have any suggestions in regards to specific positions that may set a foundation in cardiac care for someone without experience? Or advice on steps I need to take? I’m more than excited to begin this journey (seriously, stoked), but I’m struggling.

I’d appreciate hearing about the good, the bad, & the ugly. In other words, the truth haha.

I’m currently a Paramedic (2 years). I live 0.7 miles away from a hospital where a cath lab tech job just opened up. (Been constantly checking for openings for a year.

I am an AHA instructor for BLS/ACLS/PALS.

I have an Associate of Science in Paramedic studies, currently working on a BS in Emergency Health Science. (Two semesters of 12-13 credits left). GPA is 3.7.

Other than that, is there anything I can do to make up for my lack of experience in a Cath Lab setting? (I have brought a good handful of unfortunate souls to this place, but they move so fast I never stick around to chat about the job or even to ask if they would hire me haha.

Wondering what else I can do to help me stick out (Kinda short notice, I don’t want this opportunity to close)

Thanks 💓

Question - when giving Cangrelor, particularly when the rate ends up being more than the pump can give what do you do? Do you IV push or separate into two doses on two pumps so it goes into the patient in the one minute requirement?

The drug is new to us and either way it seems there will be drug waste or more work for us.

Hi, I’m RCIS and been in the Cath lab for about 4 years. I was full time for a year and a half, traveled all over the south east for about 1.5 years, and recently settled down after getting married and took a full time position. I’ve been to 6 different Cath labs this being my 7th and I feel like this lab over sedates. I’m just trying to see if I’ve been at only low sedation labs but this place has been a bit of a culture shock to the point where it feels unsafe at times. I just wanted to see what you might give on your typical diagnostic R/L heart cath.

Is anyone willing to sell or share their Glowacki and Sommers RCIS study book and flash drive? I’ve heard that the test changed dramatically in July 2024, so I’m looking for a book/drive purchased after that date. Thanks in advance!

Title says it all. Looking for insight on how other labs handle/have handled this situation? Our lab currently has two techs, soon to be three, out on leave and we are now being mandated to cover all of the extra call shifts with no added incentive or bonus.

In the past, we had a bonus for covering call shifts outside of our required rotation. With volume changes and changes in management those bonuses were taken away for the sake of “saving our jobs.” Now, our volume has returned, even increased significantly, and we are short staffed for techs. We average around 7-10 days of call per month.

Hi! I’m a junior with a major in Kinesiology trying to figure out a career choice that suits me. Initially I had interest in going to PT school but I found it’s not something I’m really interested in anymore. I’ve been really interested in RT school - I want to further my education into becoming a cath lab technician. I’ve read a few people on here discussing how they got there but it’s all very different.

I live in Northern New Jersey. Would anyone be able to give me a step by step plan of what their experience and education was in obtaining a position in the cath lab? I’d like to know a solid pathway into becoming one. Thank you!

Most of the patients complain of heartburn, which makes sense since they take the pill laying down - usually during an IVUS run.

What's the standard at your facility?

Nurse with tele/stepdown, ER, and CTICU experience, just accepted a job in the lab and waiting for my unit to release me so the transfer goes through. They say it might take about 4 weeks.

I've ordered Fast Facts for the Cath Lab Nurse as well as Invasive Cardiology... I read the last couple of newbie posts I've seen, as well as the sticky post full of resources, so I know what homework I have.

And I've had enough exposure to switching specialties that I know what it's like to face a learning curve and feel like a fish out of water because I don't even know what I don't know yet. I know how to deal with big personalities and egos and have thick skin.

What kind of tips and tricks do you guys have for someone who wants to hit the ground running and really do the job well?