CATH LAB TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION

Cath Lab Technicians fill that gap, carrying dual responsibility for radiographic imaging quality and real-time patient physiologic monitoring throughout diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures. They hold or pursue credentials such as RCIS or RT(R), and they answer to both the supervising cardiologist and the department's quality assurance standards. On-call rotation with a 30-minute response requirement is standard.

As the Cath Lab Technician, you perform diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures under physician supervision, maintaining imaging integrity, hemodynamic documentation, and patient safety throughout each case. You operate within the cardiovascular services department alongside cardiologists, nursing personnel, and the cath lab supervisor, contributing directly to procedure accuracy and departmental performance improvement goals.

Career Impact: Earning and maintaining RCIS credentialing in an active cath lab positions you among a specialized clinical workforce where cardiovascular procedure volume directly validates your technical competency on record.

Business Impact: Accurate scrubbing, panning, and hemodynamic monitoring during high-acuity interventional cases allows cardiologists to make real-time decisions that determine procedural success for each patient.

Growth Opportunity: Cross-training across cardiovascular services, combined with exposure to both diagnostic and interventional case types, expands your clinical scope toward senior technologist and lead cath lab roles.

• Assist cardiologists during diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures in scrubbing, panning, and monitoring roles across all scheduled and emergency cases.
• Prepare procedure rooms, equipment, medications, and sterile supplies to meet readiness standards before each case begins.
• Monitor and document patient hemodynamic parameters and vital signs continuously, reporting unusual occurrences to the supervising physician.
• Maintain images and operate the image vault and hemodynamic server to ensure complete and accurate procedural records.
• Inspect radiographic equipment and procedure rooms each shift, reporting malfunctions to appropriate personnel before they affect patient care.
• Observe and enforce radiation safety protocols on every exam, maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff, and physicians.
• Participate in on-call rotation and respond to the cath lab within 30 minutes for emergency cases.
• Contribute to quality assurance and performance improvement activities, including documentation of charge codes and completed procedures.

• Graduate of an accredited program in Radiography, Cardiovascular Technology, or Respiratory Therapy, or equivalent work experience.
• One or more years of cath lab experience in monitoring, circulating, panning, or scrubbing roles, with demonstrated clinical competency.
• Current BLS certification through the American Heart Association required at time of hire.
• ACLS certification through the American Heart Association required or attained within 6 months of employment.
• Active RT(R), RCIS, or RRT credential required, or registry-eligible status with commitment to attain RCIS within one year of employment.
• Minimum of 800 verified clinical hours in a cardiac cath lab setting.
• Ability to fulfill on-call assignments with a 30-minute return-to-facility response time, including hospital holidays.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and working computer and keyboarding proficiency.

• Interventional Radiology experience in a hospital or outpatient procedural setting.
• Active RCIS credential registered through Cardiovascular Credentialing International at time of application.
• Familiarity with hemodynamic monitoring interpretation and cardiac arrhythmia recognition beyond entry-level competency.
• Prior cross-training experience across multiple cardiovascular services areas within a hospital department.

• Procedure documentation accuracy rate, measuring completeness of hemodynamic records and charge codes per case.
• On-call response compliance, tracked against the 30-minute return-to-facility requirement across all rotations.
• Radiation safety incident rate, reflecting adherence to protocol across all exams performed within a reporting period.
• Equipment malfunction reporting rate per shift, indicating proactive identification before patient care is affected.
• RCIS credential attainment timeline, measured against the one-year eligibility window for registry-eligible hires.
• Typical tools: Hemodynamic monitoring systems (commonly Philips ComboMap or GE Mac-Lab); image management platforms (commonly Centricity Cardio Enterprise)

• Base Salary Range: $58,000 to $82,000 per year depending on credential and experience level.
• Bonus: shift differential pay for on-call, evening, and weekend hours is common.
• Equity: not typical for this role in hospital or health system settings.
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most hospital employers.
• PTO: 15 to 22 days annually, with additional sick leave in most health systems.
• Common Perks: CEU reimbursement, credentialing exam fee coverage, and tuition assistance for cardiovascular technology programs.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment in this role is contingent on successful completion of a background check and, where applicable, a pre-employment drug screening consistent with healthcare facility standards. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations during the application or employment process may request them at any time. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Cath Lab Technician owns testing and data generation across a range of analytic instrumentation, including catalytic reactor systems, spectrometers, and surface area analyzers, in support of industrial quality objectives. The work directly supports production integrity by ensuring raw materials and finished catalyst slurry meet verified purity, stability, and compositional standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Operates laboratory equipment and instruments such as centrifuge, agitators, rheometer, chemical balance scales, spectrometer, colorimeter.
• Generates data from laboratory techniques and analytic instrumentation such as catalytic reactor systems, surface area analyzers, thermographic and gravimetric analyzers, and spectrometers.
• Participate in routine validation studies to replicate and verify results with industry or scientific literature standards.
• Prepare and test routine raw materials used as ingredients in catalyst slurry production for qualities such as purity, stability, viscosity, density, chemical composition, and concentration.
• Work within the framework of the tesa Integrated Management System and ISO or IATF 16949 requirements.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• One or more years of work experience in a quality or laboratory industrial setting required.
• Ability to operate machines of medium complexity, including use of intermediate computer skills.
• Demonstrated enhanced troubleshooting skills within assigned processes.
• Ability to handle multitask assignments with minimal supervision.

Embedded within the Application Engineering and Product Development function, the Cath Lab Technician produces accurate evaluations of physical and chemical characteristics across finished products, raw materials, intermediate products, and pilot plant samples. Working closely with engineering and quality teams, this technician supports new test method development and maintains lab supply inventory within an ISO and IATF 16949 compliant management system.

Core Functions

• Uphold company safety, environmental, quality, and laboratory standards.
• Read, understand, and follow internal and external test instructions.
• Perform accurate testing and evaluation of existing products and test assemblies.
• Document and report all laboratory work performed in a clear and understandable manner.
• Assist in the development of new test methods.
• Manage general lab supplies and application testing supplies inventory.

Qualifications and Experience

• Associate's degree with concentration in engineering or science, or equivalent combination of education and technical experience required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Windows and Microsoft Office, with strong Excel skills required.
• Analytical skills and a detail-oriented mindset are essential.
• Ability to stand at a workstation and move throughout the facility for the majority of the workday.

Reporting to departmental leadership, the Cardiac Cath Lab Technician assists cardiologists in diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures, operating x-ray equipment and preparing patient rooms, supplies, and medications while practicing radiation safety on every exam. Partnering with physicians, nursing staff, and the broader care team, this technician ensures patient privacy, safety, and comfort in alignment with hospital goals and quality assurance standards.

Primary Duties

• Provide care for patients with a variety of medical diagnoses and resulting complications.
• Prepare room, equipment, medicine, and materials as needed for patients.
• Clean and disinfect procedure room, pre-op, and post-procedure area and equipment.
• Observe proper radiation safety techniques on all exams performed.
• Prepare patient for cardiac catheterization by explaining procedures, transferring patient to table, positioning patients, and assisting at end of procedure.
• Maintain images and operate image vault and hemodynamic server.
• Document events of the procedure accurately and observe patient and machine during procedure, reporting unusual occurrences and recording patient condition.
• Maintain stock supplies such as catheters and wires, and perform general office duties including proper charge codes and completed procedures.
• Inspect and report radiographic equipment and room for any malfunctions within assigned shift.
• Assist the cardiologist in all diagnostic and interventional procedures in scrubbing, panning, and monitoring roles.
• Participate in hospital or departmental quality assurance and performance improvement activities.
• Maintain cooperative and flexible availability for 24-hour staffing and scheduling requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current BLS certification through American Heart Association required.
• ACLS certification through American Heart Association required or must be attained within 6 months of employment.
• RT(R) - Registered Radiological Technologist, RCIS - Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist, or RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist required.
• RCIS must be attained within one year of employment if registry eligible.
• Graduate of an accredited school of Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, or Cardiovascular Technology required.
• Minimum of 800 clinical hours in a cardiac cath lab setting required.
• Cath lab experience in monitoring, circulating, panning, and scrubbing preferred.
• Interventional Radiology experience is a plus.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills required.
• Computer and keyboarding skills required.
• Ability to take call with a 30-minute response time and work on hospital holidays required.

Sitting at the intersection of patient care and cardiovascular technology, the Cardiac Cath Lab Technician assumes responsibility for radiological equipment maintenance, cath lab competencies, and assistance across invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures. Operating under the direct supervision of the attending physician, charge RN, and Cath Lab Manager, this technician responds to emergency cases within 30 minutes and upholds strict discretion and confidentiality throughout all high-risk procedures.

Duties

• Assume responsibility for routine care and maintenance of radiological equipment, quality patient care, cath lab competencies, and assistance in all aspects of invasive and non-invasive cardiac procedures.
• Explain all procedures to patients to help alleviate anxiety.
• Handle emergencies during high-risk procedures with discretion and confidentiality.
• Interact with physicians during routine procedures and emergencies, and assist with interpretation and recording of collected data.
• Work within a team environment with individuals of similar abilities and responsibilities.
• Assume on-call assignments and return to facility within 30 minutes for emergency cases.

Skills and Qualifications

• Active registry or certification in ARRT, LPN, scrub tech, EMT-Paramedic, or CNA required.
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications from ARC or AHA required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Health Science preferred.
• Graduate of an accredited CVT program preferred.
• One year of experience in current field preferred.
• Operation of all cardiovascular lab equipment and instrumentation, including scrub and monitor roles for emergent procedures.
• Good working knowledge of radiographic and hemodynamic monitoring, recording equipment, and devices relative to cardiovascular procedures.
• Basic keyboard and computer skills required.
• Good communication and organizational skills required.

A key member of the cardiovascular services team, the Cardiac Cath Lab Technician delivers diagnostic and therapeutic invasive cardiology procedures in cooperation with physicians and nursing personnel across catheterization labs. Collaborating across the department under the general supervision of the Cath Lab Supervisor and CV Services Director, this technician maintains sterile technique, monitors cardiac arrhythmias, and participates in on-call rotation with a 30-minute response requirement.

Functions

• Assist physicians and nursing personnel with diagnostic and therapeutic invasive cardiology patient procedures in the catheterization labs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of radiographic imaging principles, patient physiologic monitoring, and cardiac arrhythmia recognition.
• Comply with principles of sterile technique throughout all procedures.
• Collect and assemble data for database management, outcome analysis, and performance improvement.
• Participate in on-call rotation and respond within 30 minutes to the cath lab when on call.
• Carry out additional activities as assigned by the Cath Lab Supervisor or CV Services Director.

Experience and Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited Radiology Technologist or Invasive Cardiovascular Technology program preferred.
• Two years of current cath lab experience may be substituted for program completion.
• Current BCLS certification required and maintained.
• ACLS certification required within 6 months of employment.
• Active RCIS or RT licensure preferred, with new graduates required to attain credential within 1 year of eligibility.
• One year of cath lab experience or equivalent clinical experience as part of an educational program required.
• Knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology required.
• Ability to complete a hemodynamic test and arrhythmia recognition test within six months required.

Accurate, high-quality diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular and radiologic procedures depend on the Cath Lab Technician, who monitors hemodynamic parameters, documents vital signs, and provides patient and family instruction in support of departmental goals. Based within a Louisiana clinical setting and credentialed under ARRT(R) and state licensure requirements, this technician applies growth and development knowledge to patient interactions while maintaining professional standards through ongoing in-service participation.

Accountabilities

• Assist with all cardiac and radiologic invasive procedures according to established department policies and procedures.
• Monitor and accurately document patient hemodynamic parameters and vital signs during procedures.
• Process films and promote cost containment practices.
• Provide instruction to patient and family members.
• Maintain professional standards by participating in in-services, committees, staff meetings, and performance improvement activities.
• Apply knowledge of growth and development in patient interactions and treatment.

Professional Experience

• ARRT(R) certification and current Louisiana Licensure as a Radiologic Technologist required.
• Current CPR certification required.
• ACLS certification required within 1 year of employment.
• RCIS certification recommended.
• Graduate of an accredited school preparing Radiologic Technologists required.
• Prior experience in special procedures or cath lab preferred.
• Effective oral and written communication skills required.
• Computer skills and ability to work within a team to ensure quality patient care required.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a stressful environment required.