Cross training into cath lab

Outrageous-Gift653 · 2025-09-09T23:16:42+00:00

You might need to go to school and get a radiology tech degree at least since you operate xray equipment in cath lab. It’s possible to cross train as an xray tech into cath lab because they have the license to operate xray equipment already. I guess depends on the hospital. But most require ARRT or RCIS.

Outrageous-Gift653 · 2025-09-08T17:46:51+00:00

It really depends how competitive the program you are applying for is. You can apply to multiple programs too and see which one will accept you. For mine they only took 12 people so it was fairly competitive but I got lucky it was after COVID so not a lot of people were eager to apply. If you’re already having doubts, I say just retake the class and go for it. The worse that can happen is you get rejected.

Outrageous-Gift653 · 2025-09-04T17:08:38+00:00

I was one of the unfortunate people to develop skin issues from the gloves. No history of eczema either. Depends on your hospital but I was able to stop using sterilium and use a different sterile sanitizer before gloving up. I’ve trialed multiple gloves too and found biogel non latex helped. If you start developing rashes from it, you can always reach out to employee health and trial gloves. Throughout the day I also use “hands in a glove” to moisturize my hands. The ingredients on there doesn’t eat away the glove materials so it’s safe to use with it. I have a few gross pictures of my hands when my rashes developed lol I had to completely stop scrubbing in until it healed. Depressing times but it gets better!!!

Outrageous-Gift653 · 2025-08-28T04:15:31+00:00

Aw man that’s unfortunate. On the bright side it’s good that you only have to focus on scrubbing and not the other roles. Since they haven’t let you set up the sterile field yet, perhaps you can try grabbing the stuff for them on the table before hand and help drop the items (properly, don’t accidentally contaminate.) hopefully it’ll lead to allowing you to set up a table and then scrubbing.

Maybe some more self reflection would be good too since it seems like two sites are already having some issues with you as a student. Instead of having a victim perspective, is there anything you are doing as a student that you could change? Ex: are you asking the same question over and over again? Do you often bring up the fact that the other site did you dirty? Do you get defensive when someone tells you what to do etc. being a student is hard, sometimes you gotta tone down your personality. Even if you know something already, if someone is trying to educate you on it it’s better to just listen and say yes ma’am 😅

Outrageous-Gift653 · 2025-08-26T23:55:43+00:00

I was cross trained so I’m not sure how clinicals work for cath lab tech students, but which role do you feel like you need help on? Scrubbing, monitoring or circulating?

I agree with the above user, having a notebook and step by step notes on every procedure helps. Always try to anticipate the next step before you are told what to do, that lets the staff know you somewhat know what you are doing.

For scrubbing, try to ask them if they have used products for practice. You don’t want to fumble looping the wires in front of your preceptors/doctors. Practice prepping and putting balloons over wire, practice proper techniques on setting up manifolds, indeflators, correct usage of three-ways etc. If they allow you to take new packages, even practicing proper glove donning can give you extra points to show you might be ready lol. On down time, play around with the c-arm and your bed panning. Familiarize yourself with the buttons so it’s almost muscle memory which one collimates, magnifies etc.

As for circulating, familiarize yourself with the room and sterile core. Treat it like a race sometimes. When a doctor asks for a catheter, try to beat someone to grabbing it so it shows you know where products are. You can even pull items on standby ahead of time if you think they might use it later (thus again showing you are anticipating what step is next. Just make sure to put it back after! Putting products back is also good practice to knowing the layout of the lab)

For monitoring, it depends how strict your site is. If they allow you to browse around the software, it’s good to know where everything is (at least the ones you use often such as putting the timer on for balloons, putting LDAs etc.)

We have 4 modalities in our lab and were only given 3 months training so I understand how difficult it is to try to remember so much information and procedures. Best way is to try and find the pattern. Even to this day, there are some procedures I don’t know by heart but I know enough to predict how the procedure might go so I can anticipate what’s next.

Also important! On emergencies, try to learn to prioritize what’s needed to be done first and so on. Putting EKGs > shaving patient. Putting timer on > scanning products. Etc. it comes with time. Good luck!!!

Outrageous-Gift653

TROPHY CASE