Stress Testing Technician - RCP (PRN)

About the role

The purpose of this position is to perform diagnostic images and appropriate measures through the use of stress-testing equipment in accordance with departmental guidelines and regulations governing our facility.

Responsibilities

• Reviews clinical data from the medical record and patient interview; performs appropriate examinations, records accurate information for the patient's social and medical history; completes the patient’s vital information prior to, during and after testing; documents care on the patient's records including both interventions and patient responses.
• Operates the stress equipment to obtain high quality diagnostic tracings following established policies, procedures and protocols.
• Oversees patient monitoring during stress testing procedures, ensuring timely and appropriate clinical intervention in response to patient symptoms; evaluates patient tolerance to exercise, identifies signs such as chest pain, dyspnea, arrhythmias, and ectopy, and initiates protocol-based actions as needed; accurately documents any adverse reactions and promptly communicates findings to the supervising physician.
• Demonstrates understanding of important electrocardiography responses at rest and exercise in healthy individuals versus people with coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Knowledge of common medications encountered during testing and how they affect the ECG, heart rate, and blood pressure at rest and during exercise.
• Completes and maintains all charges and statistics for procedures performed in an accurate, up-to-date manner.
• Administers pharmacological agents as ordered, in accordance with Ohio licensure for Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs); medications may include Lexiscan, Nitroglycerin, and Aminophylline, administered per departmental stress testing protocols to support diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cardiopulmonary impairments.
• Responds to and manages adverse clinical events, including serious arrhythmias, by applying Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) skills; initiates emergency protocols promptly and effectively to ensure patient safety.
• Independently conducts stress testing procedures without direct cardiologist supervision, demonstrating sound clinical judgment and decision-making; quickly assesses and responds to adverse changes in patient condition, including EKG abnormalities, vital sign fluctuations, arrhythmia, and life-threatening ectopy; notifies the cardiologist as appropriate.
• Provides patients with clear, concise instructions and education regarding the purpose, process, and indications of the stress testing procedure, ensuring understanding and informed participation.
• Adheres to all policies, procedures, rules and regulations as they pertain to the department, organization and/or regulatory agencies; engages in quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives; participates in departmental meetings, huddles, in-services, and continuing education which includes onboarding and training new staff, fostering clinical excellence and team integration; demonstrates effective teamwork and communication to optimize patient care.
• Performs additional departmental functions within scope of practice, as assigned.

Requirements

• Licensed as a Respiratory Care Professional by the State of Ohio
• Registered Respiratory Therapist issued by the NBRC
• BLS and ACLS required within three months of hire
• Positive service-oriented interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served on assigned unit/department
• Knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and ability to assess data reflective of patient status
• Ability to interpret appropriate information to identify each patient’s requirements relative to their age-specific needs and provide care as described in area policies and procedures

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior training in stress lab, EKG and Holter monitoring desirable; experience in healthcare beneficial
• Experience in reading and interpretation of EKG rhythms

Physical Demands

• Full range of body motion with intermittent walking, lifting, bending, climbing, squatting, kneeling, twisting, sitting and standing
• Walk and/or stand for at least seven hours per day
• Sit for 2–4 hours at a time
• Assist in the transport/transfer of patients
• Lift fifty pounds and reach work above the shoulders
• Good eye-hand coordination and fine finger dexterity
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Corrected vision and hearing in the normal range
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle for business travel
• Potential exposure to chemicals, gases, and bodily fluids
• Classified “at risk” for possible occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens (HBV, HIV, etc.)