Certification for interventional radiology

[kurtrutter]

I work in a cardiac cath lab, which is nothing but a type of interventional radiology. We have radiology techs and RNs working together. RNs can scrub here but not so much as touch the table or C-arm (the fluoroscope) controls. We have the health department checking to make sure we don't. The Rad. techs also scrub, but can of course move the table and C-arm. There was no issue until a personal conflict occured between a rad tech and an RN. The tech summoned the health department. This has made an otherwise efficient department quite cumbersome to work in, as we can not cross train to work together well. I know this problem is avoided in other cath labs, but here the rad. tech has an issue with it. Is there any certification an RN can obtain to allow her/him to move the fluro arm and table in an interventional radiology setting?

[All41]

Your hospital and specifically your radiology dept. can set up specific training to teach skills used soley within the scope of nursing practice to allow RN's to assist with C-arm. It may take some research and effort. Start with your state board of nursing. They can tell you how to get the part that applies to them under way. Your cardiologists must be willing to take legal liability for your actions and they may have to purchase equip. if the rad. dept. will not cooperate. Risk management at your hospital must be contacted and have an active role in setting this up. You need to gather statistics to support this showing a cost analysis and savings. As you know, everything must come down to $ and I hate it! Know up front that you might do everything and still the hospital will not allow it. And....probably two weeks after you leave they will put it in place. Good luck!