What are the responsibilities and job description for the Stress Technician position at Massachusetts General Hospital?
This position reports to the Unit Technical Manager/Operations Manager for Nuclear Cardiology, performing clinical responsibilities including diagnostic stress testing using exercise or pharmacologic induced stress, under the direction of nuclear cardiology physicians.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Prepares patient for stress testing
- Obtain vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation)
- 12 lead electrocardiographic placement (to include skin prep) and monitoring
- IV placement (separate IV competencies apply)
- Responsible for maintaining safe testing environment, including but not limited to: Assess patient's ability to walk safely (i.e. identify fall precautions, appropriate clothing, asses gait)
- Performs stress testing (standard exercise stress testing and both exercise and pharmacologic stress testing for SPECT and PET Myocardial Perfusion Imaging)
- Exercise load adjustment
- Monitors, prints and documents electrocardiographs as appropriate
- Notifies clinical staff of EKG changes, and other safety concerns
- Assures completeness of test reports including data editing
- Documents patient exam data in department electronic log sheet.
- Maintains laboratory inventory (supplies, emergency drugs, and equipment).
- Identifies equipment failures with EKG machines and places service call to appropriate equipment vendor to coordinate repairs.
- Explains the nature and risks of exercise protocol to the patient.
SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology
- Knowledge of cardiovascular systems
- Knowledge of universal precautions
- Knowledge of EKG interpretive recognition patterns
- Knowledge of stress/treadmill equipment
- CPR certification
- Ability to perform blood pressure measurements
- I.V. placement (must comply with hospital licensing requirements and, in addition, complete & pass IV competency)
- Effective interpersonal communication sills
The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or REGISTRATIONS (if applicable):
- Basic Life Support Certification, required
- Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT), preferred
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor's Degree preferred in Exercise Science or related field
- High School Diploma and EKG certification (or equivalent experience) is required
EXPERIENCE:
- On the job training of 2-4 months (dependent upon past practical experience) is required
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- The individual will work in a high volume stress test laboratory. The laboratory does both imaging and non-imaging stress tests on a wide range of patients. There is minimal exposure to hazardous materials (i.e. blood and radioactive material).
- Radioactive materials are used for the testing, but the handling of those materials will be done by qualified nuclear technologists. There may be some exposure to low level (harmless), levels of radiation.
The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.
