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Cardiology

The following is a standard listing of a Cardiology Technician Specialist skills list and job description:

•  Knowledge of standard M-mode and 2D echo views

•  Understanding of the principles of M-mode, 2D, pulsed wave, continuous wave and color flow Doppler

•  Ability to identify many common and acquired cardiac disorders including DCM, HCM, pericardial / effusions, CVD, PDA, VSD, ASD, PS, SAS, Tetralogy of fallot from echocardiography

•  Ability to obtain standard M-mode and 2D echo views

•  Ability to obtain a 10-lead ECG

•  Ability to diagnose common arrhythmias including APC, SVT, VPC, V-tach, V-fib, sinus arrhythmia, wandering pacemaker, sinus arrest, and various forms of AV block

•  Ability to note specific chamber enlargement on thoracic radiographs, ID vascular structures

•  Ability to obtain high quality thoracic radiographs

•  Ability to identify catheters commonly used for interventional techniques and cardiac catheterization

•  Ability to set up and calibrate transducers / physiograph to measure intracardiac and intravascular pressures

•  Ability to understand the basic physiology and engineering of pacemakers, including pacing modes and lead systems

•  Ability to identify various structures on angiography, some knowledge of contrast agents

•  Ability to grade cardiac murmurs, identify PMI (point of maximal intensity) and correlate with possible clinical diagnoses

•  Knowledge of commonly used CV drugs, side effects, main indications

•  Understanding of pathogenesis of heart failure

•  Ability to accurately measure Doppler blood pressure

•  Technical expertise necessary in the collection and submission of laboratory samples

•  Teaching ability to provide daily instruction of veterinary students, interns and residents who rotate through the Cardiology service

•  Organization skills necessary to oversee the Cardiology work load as well as clinical research projects

•  Medication and nursing skills for the daily management of in-hospital patients

•  Computer knowledge for the maintenance of the Cardiology data base and generation of patient medical records