EP Lab Digest - May 2008 - (Page 42)

42 EP PERSPECTIVES MAY 2008 My First Year in Electrophysiology: What Have I Got Myself Into? Richard B. Fish, RRT Electrophysiology Technician Orlando Regional Medical Center Orlando, Florida Dr. Aurelio Duran, EP lab medical director and cardiology department chairman, and Richard Fish, RRT. I f an EP lab advertised for an EP tech job opening that read “Wanted: Motivated individual who can stare at a monitor of irregular squiggly lines for up to 10 mindnumbing hours, able to stand for hours wearing a heavy lead apron that puts you at risk of having permanent back problems, all while exposing yourself to cancer-causing radiation,” who in the world would respond? Who would say, “Hey, that sounds really good”? Well, that person would be me, and the following is the story of my exciting first year in EP. didn’t see in myself. He was convinced that I should come to the EP lab. I was equally unconvinced. Ultimately when I did not respond, he would pass me in the hall and just shake his head in mock disgust. Eventually, he caught me at an opportune moment, so I decided to give EP a second look. Lisa Kearney, manager of the EP lab, set me up to job shadow with one of the lab personnel. I watched the physician and staff perform a couple of procedures and thought to myself, “This doesn’t look too tough.” The EP lab techs, nurses and physicians worked together like a well-oiled machine. Shortly thereafter, Lisa offered me the EP lab tech position. It was a difficult decision to make, but I decided to go for it. After all, how hard could this be? I made the leap and joined the EP lab. Surprise! My first week in EP deteriorated into a blur of confusion. I was in way over my head. There was no way I was ever going to comprehend what was going on. The equipment, the procedural steps, and the terminology were overwhelming. I went home each day with a splitting headache. I was having second thoughts and was It has been nearly two years since I joined the EP lab at Orlando Regional Medical Center, although my career in the medical field really began 16 years ago in respiratory therapy. Orlando Regional Medical Center is part of a community-based system of hospitals in Central Florida where I live. The scope of practice in our EP lab includes EP studies, pacemakers and biventricular defibrillators, and also a full range of ablations. Our team consists of seven electrophysiologists. Most practice in all areas of electrophysiology. A good friend and former colleague in respiratory, Mike Giddings, transferred into the EP lab several years ago. Every time I encountered him, his enthusiasm for EP was unmistakable. Eventually, he began suggesting to me that I should consider the EP department. At that time I had no intention of leaving my current position in the respiratory department. Having seniority and a comfort level that comes from years of experience would be hard to leave. However, Mike was relentless. Maybe he wanted a friend to work with or maybe he saw something in me that I Lisa Kearney, EP lab manager (sitting), Marti Stivaktas, EP lab clinical specialist (standing), and Richard Fish, RRT. Surprise! My first week in EP deteriorated into a blur of confusion. I was in way over my head. There was no way I was ever going to comprehend what was going on. regretting my decision to leave the comfort zone and the familiar daily routine of my former job. Nevertheless, I had made a commitment to my new boss and myself. I would have to stick with it in spite of the rising flood of doubt. There were momentary periods of understanding and optimism, but the frequent challenges and difficulties of comprehending this new world were always present. For the first six months I found myself completely and totally mentally exhausted by the time I got home from work. I would often need a nap before having dinner or interacting with my family. Some days I would immediately See FIRST YEAR page 44

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EP Lab Digest - May 2008

EP Lab Digest - May 2008 Is There an Under-Referral of Women for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation? A Hybrid Approach to the Cure of Atrial Fibrillation Contents Letter from the Editor Spotlight Interview: University of Michigan Health System 10-Minute Interview: Amit J. Shanker, MD Modular EP Units: Are They Possible? One Hospital’s Experience All About My Job: Technician Supervisor (New Column!) Alcohol Septal Ablation in the Cath Lab: What is it All About? About the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society: Interview with Martin J. Gardner, MD, FRCP(C), FACC Email Discussion Group: May 2008 Second Annual Salary Survey My First Year in Electrophysiology: What Have I Got Myself Into? Highlight on Technology: Video-Audio Integration for the EP Lab On the Horizon: A New Remote Catheter Manipulation System Striving for Excellence in the Care of Cardiac Patients Five Reasons to Participate with a Professional Organization Suspected Shunting of Defibrillation Energy in the EP Lab Can Digital Music Players Cause Interference with Implantable Devices? ECG 101: Ambulatory ECG Monitoring Events Calendar Industry News and Products Classifieds Advertisers Index

EP Lab Digest - May 2008

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