Cardiovascular Technician

Job Description/Summary: 

The Cardiovascular Technician perform duties in both the outpatient clinic and inpatient settings.  The technician performs electrocardiograms (ECG), Holter hook up and analysis using scanning software, event monitor placement, and assist with metabolic and treadmill exercise stress testing under the supervision of a nurse or Physician. 

Essential Functions: 

Customer Service: 

• Utilizes innovative approaches to improve service delivery. 
• Maintains a culture that improves teamwork and values diversity. 
• Accepts personal responsibility and accountability for customer service excellence. 
• Creates an environment in which customers feel respected and diversity is valued. 
• Communicates and listens effectively. 
• Exhibits a flexible and proactive approach to changes in the workplace. 
• Demonstrates an understanding of the organization¿s values and mission statement. 
• Acknowledges the presence of customers and responds appropriately to their needs. 
• Properly applies technical knowledge and skills.             
• Demonstrates reliability and professionalism. 
• Promptly solves problems and resolves complaints. 

Clinical Care: 

• Performs ECG¿s Holter¿s, transtelephonic, and Cardiac Stress Test examinations within Cardiology throughout the hospital.
•  Performs Holter Monitor scanning and prepares reports for physicians to review.  Download and scan holter results using spacelab software on both inpatients and outpatients. 
• Prepares Medtronic/Carelink strips and ECG strips to NP or physician for interpretation. 
• Contacts the doctor or nurse on call and schedules them to come in for urgent appointments if patients are having symptomatic transmissions 
• Telephones and/or fax results to outside physicians; types and prepares copies of tests for filing. 
• Maintains records of examination dates and other pertinent information on patients. 
• Obtains patient history, answers patient questions, and explains procedures. 
• Daily charge entry before leaving at end of day.
• Orders supplies needed to perform exams. 
• Documents patient services by completing patient records in APEX, forms, reports, logs and other records as required for patient care. 
• Maintains equipment by ensuring that computers and cardiovascular systems and equipment are operating properly, following operating instructions, reporting any hazardous or potentially dangerous conditions; following preventive maintenance procedures; anticipating repairs and escalations for repairs as needed. 
• Maintains quality results by evaluating diagnostic studies for quality and diagnosis. 
• Maintains a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following infection control and asepsis standards and procedures, complying with legal regulations. 

Additional Responsibilities: 

• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings and workshops. 
• Attends meetings as required 
• Assists in care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies. 
• Understands, supports, promotes, and adheres to the customer service philosophy and standard of UCSF Benioff Children¿s Hospital Oakland. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. 

Age of Patients Served: Birth to 21

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities: N/A   

Communications Required: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to communicate/instruct clearly at level of patients/families. 
• Ability to articulate results and findings to physicians. 

Decision-Making Required:   

• This role follows established guidelines and procedures. 
• Ability to determine when to notify provider when an abnormality shows on ECG. 

Problem-Solving Required: 

• Ability to discern when and how to escalate issues to management. 
• Ability to be an effective problem solver through active problem identifications and collaboration with other staff, physicians, providers, and Hospital Administration. 
• Ability to resolve conflicts in a pro-active manner that demonstrates a high level of customer service. 

Financial Responsibilities:  None 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:   

• ECG lead placement, recording, arrhythmia recognition 
• Proficient in Cardiac Stress Testing 
• Proficient in Holter monitoring, preparation, placement and scanning 
• Proficient in Pacemaker systems rhythm analysis and interpretation 
• Demonstrates knowledge of growth and development principles in talking with children and their families ¿ infant, child, and adolescent. 
• Demonstrates understanding of age-appropriate developmental tasks during patients/family interactions ¿ infant, child, and adolescent. 

Technical Knowledge: 

• Basic computer skills. 
• Prior experience with EPIC/APEX 
• Prior experience with IECG hospital management systems, not required 
• Prior experience with Sentinel Holter management systems , not required
• Prior experience with Pacemaker hospital management systems, not required 
• Prior experience with Stress Test hospital management systems. 

Minimum Education:   High school graduation or equivalent. 

Education Notes: Associates degree preferred. 

Minimum Experience: 

• One to two (1-2) years of experience performing Pediatric ECG¿s. 
• One year in clinical or inpatient setting performing Stress Testing, Holter Monitor Scanning. 

License Required: N/A 

Certification Required: 

• CPR/BLS Certification 
• Arrhythmia recognition course completion or CRT 
• Medical assistant preferred 

Registration Required:  N/A 

Medical Staff Membership Required: N/A 

Physical Requirements: 

Sit up to 8 hours/day 

Stand/Walk: Up to 6 hours 

Bend/Stoop: Up to 6 hours 

Reach: Up to 6 hours 

Rep Use of UE/Grasp: Up to 8 hours 

Lift/Push/Pull: 25 lbs, over 25# with assistance or equipment 

This job requires the ability to hear alarms, clients and/or instruction. The ability to see accurately from 20 inches to 20 feet. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.