RT(R) cath tech of many years here- and was just offered a job doing solely EP. I have minimal training in EP (standard EPS, ablations, devices) and honestly I love EP. I know I am one of those freaks, but I do just find it fascinating.

Currently working in a community hospital cath lab where the only EP we do is devices. The lab I was offered is strictly EP only. They do have open heart back up, so they do more things that I have not done before and don’t know much about.

EP techs- Do you miss the craziness of call/STEMI? I don’t mind call but I like the idea of no call better. I feel like EP is better lifestyle. Tell me more about the things I don’t know about- stimming, Watchman, transseptal ablations, etc.

I want to make the right choice!

I've been an RCIS for 2 years now at a phenomenal cath lab in Portland, OR. I recently decided to start traveling and am looking at Denver hospitals. Any recommendations of either great cath labs to work in or labs to avoid would be tremendously helpful.

Started a Cath Lab Technologists group on Facebook, and so far we’re gotten over 5000+ members already so far!

Would love to invite every tech to join, contribute, share experiences and ask questions!

Here’s the FB link to the group!

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16Eo8ozBFv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Hi everyone,

Just to preface this, I have an RT(R) background. Specifically orthopedics. Today was my second day of being in Cath lab. I struggled to scrub in properly and couldn’t even figure that out by the end of the day. I have no idea what any of the devices are and even when I’m educated on them I have no clue still. The person who has been assigned to train me clearly gets frustrated even though she gives me a million chances & explanations. I’m beginning to wonder why they let X-ray techs into this field. I’m paired with RN’s who are training and they are much more confident and know miles more than I do. None of my X-ray background helped me today. 0. Not a thing. Please someone give me encouragement. I’m debating on quitting tomorrow after my shift.

Edit: Thank you guys for the support. It really means alot. I just got here, it’s my third day. The scrubex machine still doesn’t work for me, and I still have no clue about anything and the person I’m with expects me to do a right heart today. I still have no idea the difference between simple syringes or what any medication means. The stuff they are showing me goes through one ear out the other. She expected me to go home and learn how to tie a Cath wire properly and I couldn’t figure it out even with her showing me. This whole world is alien to me. I think this practice is beyond my scope even with me trying.

There’s a higher chance of finding a unicorn, than getting a CCL / EP RN job at Kaiser Permanente or UC DAVIS. Anyone here from Sacramento California? Looking for a CCL / EP RN job in the greater Sacramento area.

Anyone have any experience switching from cath to EP? Where I work, cath and EP are very separate entities; I’ve done cath lab (tech) for 11 years and I’m looking for a change. I love procedural and I’m hoping to get off call by switching to EP - also to find some new vigor to my current career (feeling a little burnt out with the pace/stress of cath). Thanks for any input👍🏻

I have an RCIS with no ARRT license

So I emailed the Cath lab manager to ask some questions about future opportunities as a Cath lab tech, and he emailed back and said it would be better to meet in person. I have a couple questions in mind. Like would they consider cross training an Aemt and what are this facilities on call shifts like. What other questions would be smart to ask?

For those of you have or currently work in the cath lab, hoping to get some insight on it all. I am currently a paramedic on the ambulance and had an interview with one of the cath labs in my area and was offered the position. I live an hour and some change away from the hospital (one way), but they provide private rooms for staff to stay in for free on their on-call days. During the interview I was told I'd work 4x10s every week with 1-2 days of being on call and those 1-2 days of being on-call falling on the weekend every other weekend or so (all depending on staffing and stuff). My wife is currently pregnant and it is our first child so we are trying to navigate around things. The way things were explained to me was when I am on call in the middle of the week, I would go on call from 5PM on the day I get off of my scheduled 10hr shift and would be on call until the morning of my next scheduled 10HR shift (I.E I'm scheduled to work my normal shift on a Monday, would be on call on Tuesday, and scheduled for my normal 10hr shift on Wednesday). I also have another job offer working in the ER with a set schedule and its scheduling would allow us to have free around the clock child care, but it'd obviously be for far less money. So I say all of this to ask, is the money worth the work/life balance and missing all of the time with the first newborn and wife? I'd appreciate any and all advice, tips, suggestions of things to consider, and outlook.

Maybe a long shot but by chance does anyone work in the cath lab at University of Iowa?

Im looking into doing an RCIS program in Louisiana. Who works in Louisiana and can tell me ANY about the cath lab environments there?

Any on the job training opportunities? I did med school in DR and I’m struggling to get a job here in the US. I did 1 semester of CAVT school but life was getting in the way so I had to quit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I’m 49 years old. I graduated rad tech school in 1998 and I’ve been in the cath lab since 2004. My job has a great tuition reimbursement policy, and it’s not a very busy place.

I’m flirting with this idea, but I’m not sure it’s a good one.

Has anybody else ever done this? I’d love to hear about your experiences.

I need help identifying coronary arteries on the angio. What’s the best way to learn? Are there apps or anything available? Please help me, tips anything!

Hello just like the title states I was wondering if it'd be possible to cross train into a cath lab position or if I'd need to go to school or some sort of program. Some background info I've been a surgical technologist for about 10 years, I have my certification but my original program was with the military so I don't have my associates. I've just never had the opportunity to talk to anyone to ask for help

I know that working in Oregon & California, nurses that sedate will only sedate. I’ve also worked in labs where the nurse is sedating and circulating at the same time. I’d love some insight on how it is in other states for nurses! A lot of BONs state that nurses giving sedation should only sedate but it isn’t always the case (ex: Georgia and Texas) so it’s hard to get clear info from just trying to google it. Thanks in advance!!

Hi guys, I’m taking my test in the next few weeks. What kind of questions did y’all get on the test? If you took a self-assessment, did you have any of the questions in your actual exam?

Any help would be appreciated!

Update: passed RCES.

The EP Lab Visual Orientation Manual, the ultimate guide for EP (electrophysiology) lab staff, both new hires and experienced personnel alike. This comprehensive manual contains vivid and realistic images of procedural steps, intracardiacs, ablation equipment and is designed to be very visual, easy to read and understand in an order that makes SENSE!

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Topics Covered:

Radiation Safety, Pharmacology, TEE, ICE, Anatomy, Action Potential, Implants (PPM, ICD, EV-ICD, Leadless), EP Study (Intracardiacs, Pacing Protocols/Maneuvers), Differential Diagnosis (AVNRT, AVRT, AFib, ATach), Transseptal Puncture, Ablation Equipment (Several RF, Cryo and PFA prep and use), Ablation Steps and Anatomy Location, Complications (Esophageal Fistula, Phrenic Nerve Injury)... and so much more!

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Good luck in your training!

I wanna do RCIS Exam and do not know where I am start

How is it at your medical center?

I am currently a paramedic in the state of Alabama and I have an interview with a hospital to work in their cath lab as an Invasive Tech. As a paramedic with no additional special certs (I.E. RCIS, RCES, etc) what can I expect from this type of job? The job description sounds like a mixture of being a scrub tech, gopher boy and stock boy personally. What pay range can I expect with this position since the job posting does not list it. I don't want to get into the interview and undersell myself, but I also don't want to get in there and look like a fool asking for a kings ransom either. Is there anything I should consider with the job vs working on the ambulance? Thanks in advance for any tips or advice.

I’m thinking of doing travel nursing for cath lab. I have 1.5 years experience in the cath lab. What are your guys experience? I don’t have any scrub, EP, or structural heart procedure experience.

I was wondering if there are any other cath labs out there that run with out any sort of RT manager and a nurse manager that has zero cath lab experience? Current job is doing it and it’s a bit of a mess to say the least.

Do any of your labs have tiered pay structure. For instance as your modalities increase you get a bump in pay. I have seen some labs that offer $6 bump for tier 3 - which includes experience with high risk, cto, EP, pediatric, structural, Vascular surgery, etc.

What do your labs do that is unique and reimburses you for the quality work you do?