The Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals Revised Position Statement (Full title below)

The Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP) maintains that all invasive cardiovascular professionals should demonstrate knowledge and competence through education and certification in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and achievement of the invasive cardiovascular credentials Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS). The RCIS credential offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) has been recognized as the cardiac catheterization laboratory credential of choice by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). The SCAI finds that the RCIS credential demonstrates a minimum level of knowledge for functioning in cardiovascular catheterization laboratories. Therefore, the SCAI endorses the RCIS credential for invasive cardiovascular specialists functioning in cardiovascular laboratories. The certification offered by the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE), formerly (NASPExAM), is recognized by the Heart Rhythm Society for the specialties of cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. Ideally, all non-physicians employed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory should hold the RCIS credential. Non-physicians employed in the electrophysiology laboratory should hold either the RCES or IBHRE credential. There are three primary roles of the cardiovascular invasive specialist: hemodynamic monitoring/documenting, circulator, and scrub assistant. Minimal optimal staffing for diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular procedures allows for staff to assume these individual roles. For diagnostic or therapeutic procedures staffed by only one physician, at least three non-physician personnel should be present. When there is more than one physician scrubbed for the procedure, a minimum of two non-physician personnel are required for monitoring/documentation and circulating for the procedure. For unstable patients or complex therapeutic procedures involving multiple technologies, additional staffing may be required. On-call staffing for emergency cardiovascular procedures must meet the same minimal staffing levels as those required for scheduled procedures. It is important to have in place a mechanism that verifies clinical competencies of all personnel performing or assisting with procedures. Clinical competencies should be reviewed at least annually. Revised 08/09 SICP Professional Standards Committee

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