Cardiovascular Technologist Profession In Malaysia-Introduction

Cardiovascular Technologist in Malaysia 

Background 

The role of the cardiovascular technologist is increasingly complex and demanding. The cardiovascular technologist must be familiar with approved clinical protocols for each type of cardiovascular examination he or she performs, the cardiovascular technologist also must be able to analyze the patient’s clinical history fully, in order to identify the purpose of the examination, frame the clinical questions that the examination is intended to answer, and expand the examination as necessary to answer the clinical questions.

Cardiovascular technologist also plays an integral role in the treatment process, applying independent judgment, problem solving skills, and the ability to obtain and integrate accurate diagnostic information whilst supporting the clinicians in performing the treatment. Therefore a guideline for credentialing of the practicing cardiovascular technologist is important to ensure appropriate standards and patient safety is upheld at all times. 

The well-informed public nowadays has to be assured that the quality of the services provided by healthcare practitioner including cardiovascular technologists do have a minimum knowledge and competency in these specialty areas. 

Description Of Profession 

Cardiovascular technologist is an allied health profession specifically focuses in diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac and vascular diseases. Through the use of the specific high- technology equipment and at the direction of a qualified physician, they performs cardiovascular diagnostic examination and therapeutic procedures to create an easily definable data. The data  from the specific cardiovascular examination gathered and analyzed. Than the anatomic and physiologic diagnosis may be developed for each individual patient. The cardiovascular technologist therefore is highly specialized diagnostician of the various presentations of cardiovascular disease. The cardiovascular technologist is also trained in advance live support technique as he or she deals with patients with high risk of cardiopulmonary arrest. 

Cardiovascular Technology Sub Specialty Areas 

The profession of cardiovascular technology encompasses four sub specialty arrears including:- 

• Non-Invasive cardiovascular 
• Invasive cardiovascular
• Non-invasive vascular 
• Cardiac pacing and electrophysiology

Job Scope The scope of job of cardiovascular technology is divided into four sub specialty areas, the jobs are including but not limited to:- 

Non Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratory 

General 2D Echocardiography	performing and reporting
Detail Echocardiography Adult Congenital	performing and reporting
TDI Echocardiography For CRT	performing and reporting
Echocardiography 2D Strain Study	performing and reporting
Portable Echocardiography In Ward, ICU and CCU	performing and reporting
Ventricular Assist Device And Heart Transplant Assessment	performing and reporting
Transthoracic 3D Echocardiography	performing
2 Dimensional Contrast Echo	performing
Transesophageal Echo	assisting doctor
Treadmill Stress Test	handling procedure and reporting
Stress Echocardiography (Pharmacological and Treadmill)	performing
Holter/ King of Heart/ Rhythm Card	performing and analyzing
Nuclear Medicine Stress Protocol	performing
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation	during emergency situation

Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratory

Coronary Angiogram	hemodynamic monitoring and assisting doctor
Coronary Angioplasty	hemodynamic monitoring and assisting doctor
Peripheral Intervention	hemodynamic monitoring and assisting doctor
Rotablator	setup machines
PTMC	pressure monitoring, reporting and TEE & TTE echocardiography
TASH	pressure monitoring, reporting and echocardiography
Intra Aortic Balloon Pump	machine setup and handling, troubleshooting
Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)	machine handling, measuring and reporting
Temporary Pacemaker	handling machine
Pressure Wire/Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR)	machine setup and handling
Right and Left Heart Catheterization	assisting doctor
Echocardiography Assessment	performing and reporting
Pericardiocentesis	assisting doctor
TAVI	hemodynamic monitoring and assisting doctor
TEVAR & EVAR	hemodynamic monitoring and assisting doctor
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation	during emergency situation

Non invasive Peripheral Vascular Laboratory. 

Ankle- Brachial Index (ABI) Procedure	performing and reporting
Carotid Ultrasound Duplex	performing and reporting
Peripheral Artery Ultrasound Duplex	performing and reporting
Peripheral Vein Ultrasound Duplex	performing and reporting
Thermography and Plethysmography Procedures	performing and reporting
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation	performing

Cardiac Pacing & Electrophysiology Laboratory 

Implantable Permanent Pacemaker	patient preparation and support
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)	patient preparation and support
Implantable Biventricular Pacemaker or Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)	patient preparation and support
Electrophysiology Study (EPS)	patient preparation and support
Radiofrequency Ablation	patient preparation and support
Cryoablation (AF Ablation)	patient preparation and support
3D Mapping Radiofrequency Ablation	patient preparation and support
Pacemaker Clinic	performing device interrogation and database
Peads Cath And Interventional Procedure	patient preparation and support
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation	during emergency situation
Cryoablation (Focal Ablation)	patient preparation and support
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation	during emergency situation

*Reporting task usually only a preliminary reports and qualified physician will verified all the data gathered from specific cardiovascular diagnostic examination by the cardiovascular technologist.

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