I need cardiology help...

TazziRN, RN · Oct 12, 2007

Well.......a monitor tech watches the tele monitor at the desk and keeps track of arrythmias and notifies the nurses when that happens.

The nurses take care of the patient.

bluesnurse · Oct 14, 2007

Can someone tell me any position that there is in cardiology, and there general role... (ie. Cardiac Tech. etc....) I really need to know these for a report Im doing.
Any help is greatly appreciated,
Josh

As with any specialty, there are many positions in the cardiology field. If you are looking for allied health roles, there are EKG techs, telemety techs (watch pt monitors and report data as well as acute changes to the RN, stress test techs which depending on the state and facility, may be a MOA, LPN, RN, or exercise physiologist. In my experience all must be proficient in rhythm recognition and 12-lead EKG interpretation, and testing is always done under the supervision of an MD.

Echosonographers use ultrasound to perform diagnostic studies of heart structure and function, nuclear medicine techs use isotope imaging to do perfusion studies (often in conjunction with stress testing,) and radiography techs assist in a number of procedures, especially CT imaging and in the cath lab. Registered cath lab techs may complete a 2- year or 4-year curriculum and carry the RCIS credential.

As far as RN roles, there is a wide variety ranging from cardiology office nursing to critical care, cath lab, CCU, CVOR, CVOR recovery unit, and telemetry step-down unit nursing. In my experience, the best place to start is on a step-down unit, where you will become well-versed in rhythms, meds, drips, and comorbidities. You will also learn a lot about diabetes, respiratory and renal disease, fluid and electrolyte balance, and post-op care. Cardiac care nursing of any kind almost always requires current BCLS *and* ACLS certification.

Feel free to email me with other questions. I've worked in cardiology for 15 years, and as an RN for 3.5 years. Good luck!