Pacemaker interrogation

[spdaydream]

Who is responsible for interrogating pacemakers? Is that a job an RN, specifically a cardio ICU RN, would be qualified for? Any info on special training/job search ideas/specific job description would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[MsBruiser]

I am a cardiac device RN. First, you have to work at a facility that has cardiac device nurses. These places are kind of few and far between. I live in the 6th biggest city in the US (metro area of 3.5 million people) and we are the only hospital with dedicated cardiac device nurses. I honestly got the job because I became friendly with a cardiac device RN, and the manager's mantra is they would sooner train someone who gets along with everyone then hire a cardiac expert. I had no cardiac experience beyond ACLS.

That said, the field is brutally difficult to learn. I liken it to learning how to speak a foreign language by being dumped in a foreign country (that happened to me too). Electrophysiology is extremely abstract. There is simply no go-to place to learn all of the devices / companies. It takes lots of time and hands on experience to learn the job. 18 months into the job, I am finally comfortable doing most interrogations and troubleshooting. Or at the very least, I know what I don't know and know how / where to get help as needed.

So the only way into the field that I know about is networking. Or you can apply directly to one of the device companies and see if they will train you.