Why I Choose to Be a Cardiovascular Healthcare Professional

I am entering the healthcare field as an empty-nester, non-traditional college student, embarking on her second career, after a long one in customer service-oriented business and marketing. I consider the first career an adventure in finding my true vocational calling. 

First EP Class of 2022 Group Pic at Sentara Heart Hospital

I am a curious, science-minded person who has always been fascinated with how the human (and animal) body works. For as long as I can remember, I have also  been fascinated by hands-on, invasive medicine (dissections are fun!). After extensive research, the allied health career route, specifically within invasive cardiovascular medicine, quickly became my top choice for a later-in-life dream career. The idea of getting paid to be curious--while lending my hands to help cardiologists cure human bodies, during invasive procedures, using cutting-edge technology (this is why I chose electrophysiology, specifically)--and to do it using my extensive customer service skill set, is thrilling!

The field of electrophysiology (EP) falls under the ethical jurisdiction of a professional organization called the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). The HRS serves, as well, as a network for professionals to share with each other, to be educated--both in ever-changing technology and medical advances--and to further careers. When I become employed fulltime in the field, I will join this organization. By doing so, I will commit to their mission, which is "to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education, and optimal health care policies and standards." I will also share and promote their vision, "to end death and suffering due to heart rhythm disorders."     

The Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (ACVP) is a professional organization that supports non-physician professionals (technologists, RN's) who work in cardiovascular settings. They maintain and keep updated the scopes of practice for Registered Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES)-credentialed cardiovascular technologists, which means me, once I pass my exam (tentatively scheduled for early summer, 2022). It also falls upon this organization to promote adherence to and to maintain this scope of practice in the face of ever-changing EP lab settings. 

It is my intention, per my scope of practice as a professional EP technologist, to perform, to the best of my ability, the following roles in the lab:

• Scrub assistant
• Operator of imaging equipment
• Lab circulator during the procedure
• Procedure monitor and case chart documenter

My two-year education at Sentara College of Health Sciences--including both didactic courses and extensive clinical training (850+ hours) in multiple working EP labs and patient holding areas--has prepared me well for this multi-faceted job. That being said, because my ultimate vision and mission are identical to that of the HRS, and because technology and medical practice is advancing in leaps and bounds in the field of EP, it is my duty to my patients and my team to continuously seek out information and educate myself. By subscribing to and reading organizations' newsletters (e.g., EP Lab Digest), EP trade magazines and academic journals, I will position myself for success. 

Many EP labs provide industry-led in-service sessions and other continuing education opportunities and training. Attending these programs, and being proactive in improving my skills, both to maintain my credentials and for patient safety, will be a priority. 

I am already a subscriber and reader of EP-focused learning material. The ground-breaking technology poised to hit labs in the near future (pulse field ablations, for one) is going to drastically affect the way EP technologists' days look in the lab, and hopefully, improve (and save) the lives of countless patients. Knowing that all this will happen within the span of my career (especially, given my late-in-life start) gives me tremendous hope for career success and growth. I can't wait to be a part of the success of this emerging and vital cardiovascular specialty!