One of the specialties you can work in as a medical assistant (MA) is in cardiology. A cardiology medical assistant helps physicians who specialize in helping patients with heart and cardiovascular conditions. Medical assistants may work for cardiologists in private practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and diagnostic labs.
Medical assistants working in cardiology will spend a lot of time doing EKGs, taking vital signs, taking blood pressure, and other clinical and administrative tasks. These are some important things you should get familiar with before working in a cardiology office.
Brush Up on These Things First
Cardiology medical assistants should be familiar with:
- Medical terminology of the heart and cardiovascular system
- Names, effects, and side-effects for cardiac and cholesterol prescriptions
- Deep familiarity with cardiac diagnostic equipment
- How to do manual blood pressure testing
- Learning CPR
- Knowing signs of a stroke and heart attack
- Understanding supplemental oxygen therapy
- Familiarity with cardiac operation procedures
- Understanding of International Normalized Ratio (INR) and Coumadin (warfarin)
- Knowing what to do and when to call a physician in emergency situations
Responsibilities of Cardiology Medical Assistants
Medical assistants in a cardiology department have several duties and responsibilities, including the following.
Keep Appointments Moving
In most physician’s offices, medical assistants are responsible for making sure patient appointments keep flowing on time, setting up the patients for the cardiologist to see, taking vital signs, and administering basic diagnostic tests.
Some days get very busy, and patient appointments can get backed up. The MA should work efficiently to help ensure the office appointment schedule stays on track. Even though working with efficiency is important, it is of primary importance to have attention to detail and work accurately. It requires good organizational and time management skills, along with meticulous attention to detail to work as a cardiology medical assistant.
You’ll Be Doing a Lot of EKGs
Get used to doing EKGs, also known as an electrocardiogram. There are different types of EKGs, but the most common uses 12 leads (or nodes) which are attached to different parts of the torso and body. The EKG measures electric waves which are created by electro-impluses with each beat of the patient’s heart. Cardiologists use these to diagnose different heart conditions. An EKG report can help a physician determine whether you’ve had a heart attack, heart failure, or some sort of heart damage. An EKG can also detect artery blockages and irregular heartbeat rhythms.
If you haven’t been in medical assistant school recently, brush up on the proper technique. Your graduating school may be able to help, and there are tutorials online too.
Whenever you set up an EKG, take the time to make sure each lead is attached to the right place. Usually with a 12-lead EKG, there are four for the limbs (one for each arm and leg), with the remainder at specific places on the chest, set in precise places to measure activity from the chambers of the heart. Always double-check to make sure the leads are attached to the correct limbs and locations on the precordium.
Note: The Medical Assisting program at Campus Sacramento includes ECG Technician curriculum, which qualifies students to sit for the ECG Technician NCCT certification exam.
Holter Monitoring
In cases where an EKG does not give enough detailed information, a Holter monitor might be used. A Holter monitor is a small, wearable monitor which the patient wears for 1 to 2 days. This monitor might be used if there is suspicion of an irregular heartbeat, arrhythmia, or the patient is fainting for no discernable reason. The cardiology medical assistant may help set up the Holter monitor and instruct the patient how to use it.
Taking Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is one of the more important vital signs in a cardiologist's office. Normally this can be done via a blood pressure machine or manually. You’ll need to know how to manually take blood pressure because many medical offices prefer this method.
The patient’s blood pressure is taken with them sitting down in a calm environment with their feet on the floor and their back against the chair. The correct sized arm cuff is used to apply the appropriate amount of pressure. Accuracy is very important, so focus on accuracy and efficiency. If the office normally uses a blood pressure machine to measure vitals, and the reading is abnormally high, you will still have to take a manual blood pressure reading.
Cardiac Stress Tests
A cardiac stress test is an examination that evaluates the response of the cardiovascular system to external stress in a controlled setting. The stress response is usually induced through physical exertion on a treadmill or stationary bike and measured using an EKG monitor.
Medical assistants in a cardiology office are involved in helping administer and record the results of an exercise stress test.
The process of a cardiac stress test are these steps:
- Vital signs are taken when the patient is at rest.
- The patient is hooked to a monitor and begins walking on the treadmill.
- Every three minutes, vital signs are recorded again as the treadmill intensity increases.
- Physical exertion increases until maximum heart rate is reached.
- Cool down period where the heart rate is gradually decreased.
The cardiologist measures different vital signs during the stress test, including:
- Blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Oxygen levels
- Electrical impulses from the heart
- Physical exertion of the heart compared to people of a similar age and sex
If the patient has complained of symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness, the stress test is also to see if those symptoms can be replicated in a clinical setting.
A stress test may be used to detect cardiac problems like:
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart valve disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Checking heart health before heart surgery
Collecting Patient Samples
As a medical assistant, you will need to collect blood samples and other patient samples for diagnostic testing. Your phlebotomy skills should be up to date, and getting a CPT I license may be useful.
In some cases, especially if you have cardiology patients who are on blood thinners, you may end up doing finger sticks to get a small amount of blood. This blood is used to test for iron levels.
Calling Pharmacy to Confirm Doctor’s Prescriptions
For patients that have prescriptions for heart conditions, the physician will write the prescription and the medical assistant can make sure the medicine is refilled at the correct pharmacy. Medical assistants might also call a pharmacy to see if a patient has a prescription on hold. Note: Medical assistants cannot write a prescription, only a physician or other medical professional licensed to practice medicine can do this.
Administrative Tasks
As a medical assistant in a cardiology office, you will likely be responsible for scheduling patient follow-up appointments. Heart patients often need repeat checkups at regular intervals. You may also be responsible for keeping patient medical records up to date and recording the details of the patient visit.
Answering phones, checking in patients, and preparing patients for checkups are also tasks you will be responsible for in a cardiology office.
Are You Ready to Start Your Career as a Medical Assistant?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your healthcare career, Campus Sacramento has a Medical Assisting program that will give you the training you need to start working. Medical assistants are in demand, the job market is hotter than ever, so don’t miss your chance to start your new career. You can make a difference in your community and take your job skills anywhere. For more information on start dates, class schedules, and financial aid, contact our Admissions team today!