The 10-Minute Interview with Mark A. Rigsby, RT(R)(CI), RCIS, RCSA

I started my career in the medical field more than 23 years ago, when I began training in 1988 as an x-ray technologist in the U.S. Army. I cross-trained into the cath lab in 1998 as a cardiovascular technologist (CVT). Currently, I am starting a new position at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento after spending 13 years as a senior member of the cath lab at Fremont-Rideout Health Group at Rideout Hospital in Marysville, California. When I am out of the hospital, I am an avid fisherman and licensed guide. I recently started a guide service here in northern California (https://www.offthehookfishing.net) to allow others to enjoy my passion for the outdoors.

How did you start working in the invasive cardiology field?

My introduction to the cath lab was a late-night phone call telling me I was to report to the cath lab at 6 am the next morning. I knew nothing about the cath lab at the time except that it was located within the radiology department. I was instantly drawn to the complexity and challenge that the cath lab offered.

Can you describe your role in your cath lab?

With knowledge and experience covering 13 years and an estimated 15,000+ procedures, I am very pleased if I can provide any insight to and assistance with procedures, equipment and inventory. I have managed the inventory in our cath lab for more than 10 years. I also am the contact person for radiation safety in the cath lab.

What is the biggest challenge you see for cath lab professionals?

Education. I believe individuals in the cath lab should take a proactive role in learning procedures as well as supplies. There is a great deal of benefit to be had from spending a few minutes learning about hemodynamics, procedures and equipment, or basic supplies.

What motivates you in your work?

My motivation comes from working with a good group of people, and seeing the results we get when patients arrive in bad shape and leave with a smile on their faces. The cath lab is rather unique in that we get instant feedback as to our patients’ condition, be it with intervention or cardiac rhythm management.

Can you share a memorable case?

My first week in the cath lab was in December 1998. In my early days in the cath lab, the radiologic technologist sat outside the lab and ran the imaging equipment with a headset on. We viewed the procedure through a glass window. I was pretty green at that point, and was just getting a hang of the x-ray equipment.

Listening to the scrub tech, I heard him tell the patient to cough. I didn’t think much of it, but then he really demanded that the patient cough. All of a sudden, he hauled off and cracked the patient in the chest with full force from his fist! I thought, “What the heck are they doing?” Barbaric as it looked, the patient responded beautifully. It was my introduction to the precordial thump!

When work gets stressful and you experience low moments (as we all do), what do you do to help keep your morale high?

After the usual grumbling that all staff in the cath lab experience, I only have to look to the patient on the table and realize that my situation doesn’t begin to compare to that of the person who is relying on us to help them.

Are you involved with the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP) or any other cardiovascular societies?

I am a member of the SICP. I would like to do more with the SICP, but at present my plate is pretty full.

I tried joining the American College of Cardiology, but they only accept RNs. Imagine that… A cardiovascular society that doesn’t admit dedicated cardiac professionals, whether registered cardiovascular invasive specialist (RCIS)*, registered cardiovascular specialist assistant (RCSA)**, cath lab registered radiologic technologist (RT[R]), or cardiovascular technologist (CVT).

Do you remember participating in your first invasive procedure?

My first invasive procedure was a right and left heart cath, and I remember thinking, “Don’t inject any air.” It went without incident. My first intervention was a right coronary artery lesion in June 2000. I was confident, but a little apprehensive about controlling the guide wires and stents.

If you could send a message back to yourself at the beginning of your cath lab career, what advice would you give?

My advice to myself would be to be more proactive in obtaining the RCIS sooner. I passed the RCIS exam in the fall of 2010. 

Are there any websites or texts you would recommend to other labs?

I would recommend Wes Todd’s books and CDs for those looking to obtain the RCIS credential (www.westodd.com). These are very in-depth, yet presented in a very easy-to-understand format.

Where do you think the invasive cardiology field is headed in the future?

I see the field rapidly expanding as more procedures become invasive rather than going through a surgical route. With the trend of cardiologists performing more peripheral procedures and implanting pacemakers/implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), I think the role of the registered cardiovascular technologists and nurses may at some point become more involved.

Mark Rigsby can be contacted at rigsby2@comcast.net.

*More information about the RCIS can be found at www.cci-online.com.

**More information about the RCSA can be found at www.ismipsi.com.