Travel Cardiac Cath Lab Rad Tech Jobs

Cardiac Cath Lab Rad Tech

Cardiac catheterization lab radiologic technicians work at the heart of healthcare, helping many patients keep their tickers in good working order! For short, these healthcare pros are often called “cardiac cath lab techs” or even simply “cath lab techs.” There’s great demand for people to work in this sub-category of radiologic technology. Because of this consistent demand, there are tons of well-paying cath lab tech jobs in locations nationwide. If you’re a current or aspiring cardiac cath lab tech, now is the time to kickstart your exciting new career in travel healthcare.

What is a Cath Lab Tech Salary?

Cardiac catheterization lab techs, play a crucial role in cardiovascular healthcare, and their compensation reflects the specialized skills they bring to the field. The average annual salary for a cath lab tech in the United States is $60,570, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. However, like many other industries, your earnings depend on factors such as experience, location, and education. Those with advanced certifications or significant experience can earn even more, especially in high-demand areas.

What Does a Cath Lab Rad Tech do?

Cardiac cath lab techs are a specific, highly skilled type of radiologic technologist, who assist cardiologists in diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures such as angioplasties, stent placements, and pacemaker insertions. They operate specialized imaging equipment like fluoroscopy machines to guide instruments during procedures, monitor patient vitals to ensure safety, and maintain a sterile environment to prevent infection. Additionally, they prepare patients by explaining procedures, positioning them on the operating table, and sometimes administering medications.

These technicians also manage medical equipment, troubleshoot technical issues, and provide post-procedure care, including monitoring recovery and documenting procedures. Their expertise in both technical and patient care makes them critical in cardiac care teams

Career as a Cath Lab Rad Tech

With many different locations and facilities to choose from, working as a travel cath lab tech helps you stay dedicated, motivated, fresh, and focused on providing top-level patient care. Travelers also say travel healthcare is also a great way to sharpen your skills, gain experience in a variety of facilities, and build your resume — all while you explore the country and the many career opportunities available to you!

How to Succeed as a Cath Lab Tech

To succeed as a cardiac cath lab tech, you must have great communication skills and a friendly bedside manner, be detail-oriented, excel at teamwork, and be an expert in the operation of advanced cath lab imaging technology. A cath lab tech’s ultimate goal is to ensure all testing and procedures are safely executed, providing clear diagnostic imaging and successful interventional procedures. Their work is a crucial part of making correct cardiovascular diagnoses and treating a variety of heart-related diseases and conditions.

Where Do Cardiac Cath Lab Techs Work?

Cath lab Techs primarily work in hospitals, particularly in radiology and cardiology. They may also work in specialized cardiac care centers, outpatient clinics, and sometimes in research facilities.

Who Works in a Cardiac Cath Lab?

Cath lab techs support and work with various healthcare and administrative professionals in cardiology and radiology units and other closely partnered units. In the course of their work, cardiac cath lab techs often partner with cardiologists, anesthesiologists, physicians, specialists, surgeons, fellow rad techs, and other allied health professionals and nurses.

Who’s Treated by Cardiac Cath Lab Techs?

Cath lab techs serve patients with a variety of heart diseases, conditions, and concerns. Many patients encounter cardiac cath lab techs in a diagnostic setting, like receiving cardiovascular imaging. These patients often undergo such testing due to heart attack-like symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, overheating, shortness of breath, fatigue, and more. Many other patients are treated by cath lab techs during an interventional cardiovascular procedure. Some of the more common reasons a patient is seen by a cardiac cath lab tech include cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, electrophysiology, stent and pacemaker implantation, rotoblation, and other such procedures.

How to Become Cath Lab Tech

Becoming a Cath Lab Tech involves a combination of education, certification, and hands-on training.

• Education:
  • Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology (ASRT)
  • Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT)
• Certifications:
  • Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
  • American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
  • Certified Respiratory Tech (CRT)
  • Fluoroscopy (Fluoro)

Facilities typically require a minimum of one to two years of recent in-hospital experience in order to hire you as a travel cardiac cath lab tech. To protect yourself and preserve patient care, you’ll want the benefit of this experience!

How is a Cardiac Cath Lab Tech Different from a Radiologic Technologist?

Radiologic technologists are a group of techs who aid doctors by helping create and share clean diagnostic imaging results so the physicians can then make a proper diagnosis and create a treatment plan for each patient. Cardiac cath lab techs are distinguished because they specialize in cardiovascular health, and also perform both diagnostics and procedures.

Where are Cath Lab Techs Needed Most?

Cath lab techs are needed nationwide, but demand is particularly high in areas with large populations or a high incidence of cardiovascular disease. With their large and aging populations, states like California, Texas, and Florida often have a higher demand for cardiac cath lab techs. Additionally, rural areas and regions with fewer healthcare facilities may also have significant needs, offering opportunities for those willing to relocate.

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