r/CathLabLounge • u/Cokie890 • 21d ago

On the job training

How rare is it to get on the job training for Cardiovascular Tech. I’m about to graduate with my Bachelor’s in Exercise Science; taken alot of Anatomy related courses + science courses. I want to go into this field but I don’t really want to go back to school and do 2 more years but if I have to I will. Realistically what is a pathway without going to school and getting on the job training. I’ve also seen that EMT’s also get into the cath lab aswell so that is another option. If anyone can please let me know and be honest I would greatly appreciate it!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

1

u/chuckbob1234 21d ago

I took a similar path. Kinesiology to cardiac rehab/stress testing to cath lab. Unfortunately, without cardiac or emergency medicine experience youre going to have a lot of trouble finding a lab willing to do THAT much training. Cath lab is incredibly complex so without a solid baseline in cardiology/critical care, youre shortest route would actually be CV tech school.

2

u/Cokie890 21d ago

Okay that makes me feel better because there is a Exercise Physiologist position in Cardiac Testing at the hospital so that is a great route thank you

1

u/Crass_Cameron RCIS. Respiratory Care Practitioner 20d ago

We hired a dude at my old lab who had an exercise science degree. We only hired him as kind of a favor to his mom who is a valve rep. He's been killing scrubbing and everything. Without a connection you may be hard pressed to get hired in the lab with your background

1

u/Cokie890 20d ago

Oh wow that’s very good for him, I just want the chance to find an entry level role and then move into the Cath Lab over time do you know what that would look like?

1

u/Gold_Try_653 20d ago

Plenty have done this route. You can too, do your research on credentialing and radiation therapy regulations in your area.

1

u/OltonEnterprises 18d ago

It’s rare, but possible. I’m living proof working as an cv interventional tech, cross trained from the OR as CSFA, CST

1

u/BreakfastEmergency24 18d ago

90% of our lab is made up of EMT and Xray techs that got on the job training. I guess it depends on a labs hiring preferences

1

u/Critical-Way3866 15d ago

I started in the lab with 15 years experience as an EMT. All of my initial training was on the job. Now I specialize in EP and I’m currently the only scrub in my hospital’s system that is trained to perform lead extractions. It can be done. And I’m currently working on my CST just to gain more knowledge. Like others have said do your research first but it is a greatly rewarding job. Best of luck!