What Is a Cath Lab Tech?
A cardiac lab tech, or cath lab tech, is a person who is trained to assist medical professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of patients who have, or are suspected of having, conditions related to the cardiovascular system. Typically, a person in this position works in a cardiac catheterization lab, assisting cardiologists or those in charge of diagnostic imaging. A person in this field may also assist a head technologist. The exact duties a person in this field may perform depend on the needs of his employer, but they may range from ensuring patient comfort during procedures, such as heart catheterizations, to monitoring patient vital signs. Cath lab techs typically work under the supervision of another medical professional, and they may be called on to perform a range of duties. An individual with this title may be responsible for preparing patients for procedures, which may include making sure they are reasonably comfortable; cleaning and shaving the area in which a heart cathete