Requires: Passing the Electrophysiology Registry Examination

Note: To earn the RCES credential a Candidate DOES NOT have to take or pass the Cardiovascular Science Examination.  The Electrophysiology Registry Examination contains relevant content from the Cardiovascular Science Examination.

Who Should Apply? Professionals working in the area of electrophysiology

RCES Specialty Exam Fee: $350

Examination Matrix

CONTENT CATEGORY AND APPROX. PERCENTAGE OF EXAM

Detailed Outline

EP Duties/Tasks/Steps:
A. Conducting Pre-Procedural Activities
     1. Prepare Procedure Room
     2. Prepare sterile table
     3. Ensure regulatory compliance
     4. Perform patient identification
     5. Review patient laboratory results
     6. Review patient medical record
     7. Verify physician’s orders
     8. Verify/obtain patient consent
     9. Start patient IV
     10. Insert/apply urinary catheter
     11. Transport patients to procedure room
     12. Prepare patients for invasive procedures
     13. Prepare patients for non-invasive procedures

B. Conducting Intra-Procedural Activities

     1. Maintain patient comfort
     2. Monitor vital signs of patients
     3. Administer medications to patients
     4. Monitor ACT (Activated Clotting Time)
     5. Acquire Radiographic Images
     6. Evaluate Implanted ICDs and Pacemakers
     7. Place central venous lines
     8. Place arterial lines

C. Conducting Post-Procedural Activities

     1. Remove Arterial Catheters
     2. Remove Venous Catheters
     3. Prepare Patient for Transfer to Recovery
     4. Reset Procedure Room

D. Performing Diagnostic Studies
     1. Position diagnostic catheters
     2. Perform stimulation protocols
     3. Perform venography
     4. Perform tilt table test

E. Performing Therapeutic Procedures
    1. Assist physicians with vascular interventions
    2. Assist transeptal puncture
    3. Assist Physician with Ablation
    4. Assist Physicians with lead extractions
    5. Assist with periocardiocentisis
    6. Assist Physicians with Implant Devices

F. Collecting Data
    1. Analyze ECG
    2. Analyze EGMs

G. Communicating With Patients and the Health Care Team
    1. Update family regarding patients
    2. Summarize procedural data
    3. Hand off patients (reporting)
    4. Conduct patient education and training

References
1. Cardiac Arrhythmia: Mechanisms, Diagnosis & Management, 2nd Edition, Philip Podrid and Peter Kowye, 2001.

2. Electrophysiologic Testing, 4th Edition, Richard Fogoros, 2006.

3. Cardiac Pacing and ICDs, 3rd Edition, Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD and Mark Wood, MD, 2005.

4. Device Therapy for Congestive Heart Failure, Kenneth Ellbogen, MD, G. Neal Kay. MD. and Bruce Wilcoff, MD, 2003.

5. Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Cardiac Arrhythmia: Basic Concepts & Clinical Application, 2nd Edition, Shoei K. Stephen Huang, MD and David Wilbur, MD 2000.

6. Resynchronization and Defibrillation for Heart Failure: A Practical Approach, David Hayes, MD, Paul Wang, MD, Jonathan Sackner-Bernstein, MD, Samuel Asivatham, MD 2004.

7. Handbook of Cardiac Electrophysiology: A Practical Guide to Invasive EP Studies and Catheter Ablation, Francis Murgatroyd, Andrew Krahn, George Klein, Raymond Yee, and Allan Skanes, 2002.

8. ACLS Handbook, 2006 Revision, AHA.

Credentials Main