Job Description Summary

The Patient Care Technician II (PCT II) – Cardiology Stress Lab reports to the Nurse Manager and works under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Provider, or Physician. The PCT II provides clinical and technical support for noninvasive cardiovascular diagnostic testing, including exercise treadmill stress testing, pharmacologic stress testing, and nuclear medicine stress testing. Responsibilities include patient preparation, electrocardiographic monitoring, vital sign assessment, documentation, and support of safe and efficient cardiovascular testing. The PCT II serves as an integral member of the cardiovascular care team and contributes to a patient-centered environment focused on safety, quality, and exceptional patient care.

Entity

Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC005704 ORBG - BBEMC Cardiology

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Grade

Health-21

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Patient Assessment and Preparation

• Verify patient identity using approved patient identifiers.
• Review test orders and assist with pre-procedure assessment and screening.
• Obtain and document baseline vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and weight as indicated.
• Perform accurate 12-lead ECG acquisition and electrode placement.
• Prepare patient skin to optimize ECG signal quality.
• Obtain baseline ECG tracings prior to testing.
• Within scope, communicate with the patient regarding:
  • Purpose of the test
  • Testing process and expectations
  • Exercise or pharmacologic stress protocols
  • Symptoms that should be reported immediately
  • Post-test instructions and recovery expectations

Stress Test Support

• Assist physicians, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff during exercise and pharmacologic stress testing.
• Perform continuous ECG monitoring during testing.
• Obtain manual blood pressure measurements at prescribed intervals.
• Monitor and document:
  • Cardiac rhythm
  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Oxygen saturation
  • Patient symptoms
• Recognize and immediately communicate significant changes including:
  • ST-segment elevation or depression
  • Ventricular tachycardia
  • Supraventricular tachycardia
  • Significant bradyarrhythmias
  • Complete heart block
  • Other clinically significant arrhythmias
• Monitor patients for symptoms including:
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Syncope
  • Excessive fatigue
• Assist with implementation of test termination criteria and patient safety interventions.

Post-Test Responsibilities

• Continue patient monitoring throughout the recovery period.
• Obtain and document recovery ECGs and vital signs.
• Recognize delayed adverse responses and promptly notify the supervising provider.
• Ensure patients are stable prior to discharge from the testing area.

Documentation

• Accurately document:
  • Baseline assessment findings
  • Vital signs
  • Exercise duration
  • Maximum heart rate achieved
  • ECG findings and rhythm changes
  • Patient symptoms
  • Recovery findings
  • Provider notifications and interventions
• Maintain complete and accurate medical record documentation according to organizational standards.

Equipment, Safety, and Quality

• Perform daily operational checks of stress testing equipment.
• Assist with setup and calibration of cardiovascular diagnostic equipment.
• Verify availability and readiness of emergency equipment including:
  • Defibrillator
  • Oxygen delivery systems
  • Suction equipment
  • Emergency supplies
• Maintain inventory and communicate supply needs.
• Follow departmental protocols, infection prevention practices, and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations within scope of practice and BLS certification.
• Assist with patient stabilization during emergency events.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate effectively with physicians, advanced practice providers, registered nurses, nuclear medicine technologists, and other members of the cardiovascular team.
• Communicate patient concerns, abnormal findings, and safety issues promptly.
• Support continuity of care through clear communication and accurate documentation.
• Participate in departmental quality improvement, education, and competency activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Cardiovascular Knowledge

• Basic cardiac anatomy and physiology.
• Principles of exercise and pharmacologic stress testing.
• Recognition of common cardiac arrhythmias.
• Understanding of cardiovascular medications and their effects on stress testing results.

Clinical Skills

• 12-lead ECG acquisition.
• Continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring.
• Manual blood pressure measurement.
• Pulse oximetry monitoring.
• Peripheral IV insertion.
• Patient assessment and monitoring within scope of practice.
• Electronic medical record documentation.

Safety and Emergency Response

• BLS/CPR competency.
• Recognition of medical emergencies and adverse patient responses.
• Emergency preparedness and response within scope of practice.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) required.

Experience

One of the following criteria must be met:

• One year of patient care experience in a healthcare setting;
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA);
• EMT or Paramedic certification;
• Bachelor’s degree or enrollment in a healthcare-related program with successful completion of a Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, or Nursing Fundamentals course at an accredited institution; or equivalent training.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience in cardiology, telemetry, cardiovascular diagnostics, or stress testing.
• Experience performing ECG acquisition and rhythm monitoring.
• Experience with IV insertion and patient monitoring.

Certification

• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or American Red Cross BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification required within two weeks of hire and maintained thereafter.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent) Ability to perform "pinching" operations. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that cannot assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (Continuous) Ability to work rotating shifts. (Frequent) Ability to work overtime as required. (Frequent) Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) (Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous) (Selected Positions)

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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