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What is a Cath Lab Tech? Unveiling the Role of a Cardiovascular Specialist

Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Editorial Team
Editorial Team
What is a Cath Lab Tech?

In the heart of modern medicine, cath lab techs are vital players in cardiovascular care. These professionals work alongside cardiologists in high-tech environments, with the American Heart Association reporting that over 1 million cardiac catheterization procedures are performed annually in the United States.


Cath lab techs typically work under the supervision of another medical professional.
Cath lab techs typically work under the supervision of another medical professional.

Cath lab techs typically work under the supervision of another medical professional, and they may be called on to perform a range of duties. An individual with this title may be responsible for preparing patients for procedures, which may include making sure they are reasonably comfortable; cleaning and shaving the area in which a heart catheter will be inserted; and monitoring vital signs, such as blood pressure. Often, a person in this field is responsible for assisting with both invasive and non-invasive procedures. In some cases, a cath lab tech may even administer some forms of anesthesia or assist with the implanting of pacemakers.

Cath lab techs help doctors with diagnostic testing.
Cath lab techs help doctors with diagnostic testing.

A cath lab tech is usually trained to recognize signs of trouble in patients and provide emergency care when needed. For example, a person with this title has usually been trained to use emergency equipment to resuscitate patients. Sometimes a cath lab tech will also assist nurses with caring for patients after procedures. For example, a person with this job may help a head nurse with necessary tasks for patients who have been placed in recovery rooms after cath lab procedures.

A cath lab tech may clip a pulse oximeter to the patient's fingertip to measure oxygen saturation.
A cath lab tech may clip a pulse oximeter to the patient's fingertip to measure oxygen saturation.

The requirements a person has to meet to become a cath lab tech may depend on where he wants to work and the preferences of his prospective employer. Typically, however, a person who wants to pursue this career has to start out by graduating from high school or earning a general educational development (GED) diploma. In many cases, employers may prefer to hire job candidates who have earned associate’s degrees in a related major. Some employers may also prefer those who have earned related certification. In fact, there may be some employers who will only hire individuals who have earned certification, and there are some jurisdictions in which cath lab techs are required to seek licensing.

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Our Editorial Team, made up of seasoned professionals, prioritizes accuracy and quality in every piece of content. With years of experience in journalism and publishing, we work diligently to deliver reliable and well-researched content to our readers.

Discussion Comments

strawCake

@JaneAir - I know my local community college offers a cardiology technician program. However, the skills that are taught in that program sound a lot more advances than the cath lab tech job description.

The cardiology tech program teaches the student how to actually perform tests, such as EKG's and Holter monitoring. It sounds like the cath lab tech mostly just assists, and doesn't do too much on their own.

I'm always amazed at how many different jobs are available in the same branch of the medical field. I personally don't know how anyone who works in that field can keep the duties of all their coworkers straight!

JaneAir

Where I live most of the "tech" jobs require a the person the have their CNA. This makes a lot of sense, as a certified nursing assistant is training to perform a lot of simple nursing functions.

CNA's are trained to take vital signs, perform CPR and assist the RN's. All of these skills are required for the cath lab tech job as well.

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    • Cath lab techs typically work under the supervision of another medical professional.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Cath lab techs typically work under the supervision of another medical professional.
    • Cath lab techs help doctors with diagnostic testing.
      By: DragonImages
      Cath lab techs help doctors with diagnostic testing.
    • A cath lab tech may clip a pulse oximeter to the patient's fingertip to measure oxygen saturation.
      By: Africa Studio
      A cath lab tech may clip a pulse oximeter to the patient's fingertip to measure oxygen saturation.
    • A cath lab tech might monitor blood pressure.
      By: Syda Productions
      A cath lab tech might monitor blood pressure.
    • A cath lab tech may be responsible for monitoring a patient's vital signs during a procedure.
      By: Tyler Olson
      A cath lab tech may be responsible for monitoring a patient's vital signs during a procedure.