Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP) Update

Message From SICP President, Sally Elliott, RCIS, BS

Dear SICP Members and Invasive
Cardiovascular Professionals:

It’s a great time to be involved with SICP. I have gained so much professional knowledge and have been able to network with some great individuals. As I move into my second year of SICP Presidency and look back at what has been accomplished over the past year, I am extremely proud of the Society and the volunteers we have. 

There have been many activities initiated, and I look forward to the remaining year and expect to get a lot accomplished. 

The SICP Leadership met July 27-31 to revise the SICP’s Signature RCIS Review Course lectures. A lot of time and effort has been spent on this initiative, and we are very pleased with the outcome. Please contact SICP headquarters at director@sicp.com if you are interested in hosting a course. 

SICP Executive Director Nicole Shore and Advocacy Volunteer Stephanie Rank met during these same dates and did quite a bit of brainstorming and strategizing regarding SICP’s advocacy initiatives. They’ve compiled an aggressive and ambitious Advocacy Campaign. In order to make it a success, we need your help. 

The struggling economy has affected SICP’s membership numbers. There are some members who have not renewed their membership because they do not see it as a necessary expense. However, supporting your professional society is more important than ever. It is much more than a notation on a resume.  

I have made friends and contacts with others in the profession from all over the country. I’ve worked with the SICP Leadership as an Instructor for the Review Courses, and represented SICP at many national conferences such as SCAI, NCVH, and TCT. It is a privilege to serve the membership and have the influence and opportunity to influence how we do our jobs as Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists. 

• SICP membership: $50 – less than one Starbucks coffee a month 

• Advocacy Campaign Donation: $20 – too important not to!

• Friendship, networking, opportunities, and the chance to make a difference in the profession and for patient safety: priceless!

DID YOU KNOW?

The RCIS Scope Practice encompasses medication administration. RCIS-credentialed professionals may administer medication per the Scope of Practice. 

Save The Date

RCIS & RCES Review Courses

October 5-6, 2013

Memphis, TN

November 9-10, 2013

Edinburg, TX

RCIS & RCES Review Courses with Contemporary EP Concepts

April 5-6, 2014

Lancaster, PA 

The SICP Signature RCIS Review Course is designed to review information for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) RCIS invasive registry exam. This course will help you identify areas in which you need to concentrate your self-study, or will serve as an overview for those who are preparing to take the exam. (The Review Course at NCVH will feature a Wet Lab, Porcine Heart Dissection during the Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology lecture. The course will also feature a Hemodynamics & Calculations workshop.) 

Topics will include but are not limited to: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology, Patient Assessment, Imaging, Interventional Procedures, Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, EKG, Pharmacology, Hemodynamics & Calculations. 

The SICP Signature RCES Review Course is designed to offer a review to the Allied Health Professional of information for the CCI RCES registry exam. The objective of the course is to offer a comprehensive review of content assessed on the RCES registry. This review may enlighten areas of need as well as serve as a refresher for other areas. The RCES Review Course will feature an Egram workshop. 

Topics will include but are not limited to: Cardiovascular Diseases, Hemodynamics, Calculations, 12-Lead EKG, Egrams, Diagnostic Electrophysiology, Ablation Physics I&II, and Pacemaker/ICD Implant & Evaluation. 

Host a Course

SICP is requesting involvement from all CVT schools. We would love to hold an RCIS/RCES Review Course at your school in conjunction with your CVT program. We ask that the program commit to providing two separate rooms for instruction, complete audiovisual needs, adequate volunteers to help with registration, and preliminary planning. We request that you provide contact information for area facilities and that you reach out to all your clinical preceptors. In turn, SICP will commit to providing speakers, handouts, registration support, and promotional efforts.

SICP will conduct individual registrations for participants and will offer a significantly discounted rate to the host program’s student participants!

If you are interested in hosting a course at your program, please contact us ASAP at director@sicp.com to get on our calendar!

SICP Chapters

We are seeking a Chapter Liaison! If are interested in chapter development and helping coordinate all the chapters, we need you! Chapters continue to succeed in some areas and struggle in others. The exact science of chapter development and maintenance continues to be a challenge for many. The only answer we can offer is volunteerism. The more volunteers you have working, the better things will be spread out amongst the group and there is less of an opportunity for volunteer burnout! If you have a chapter in your area, get involved. If you wish to offer assistance but are unsure where to turn, please contact us at SICP and we’ll direct you: membership@sicp.com.

The Chapter Calls are scheduled for the fourth Friday of every month at 11:30 am EDT. Please contact membership@sicp.com for the call-in number.

SICP GOODIES!

SICP has a few promotional items for sale: scrub caps, ink pens and bags. Go online to order at SICP's website.

SICP at New Cardiovascular Horizons 2014

Signature RCIS and RCES Review Courses & Contemporary Concepts for Cath Lab Professionals

May 28-30, 2014

• SICP’s Signature RCIS Review Course featuring a Wet Lab and Hemodynamic & Calculations workshop. 

• RCIS the Essential Credential:

Cardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology, Patient Assessment, Imaging, Interventional Procedures, Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, EKG, Pharmacology, Hemodynamics & Calculations Cardiovascular Anatomy & Physiology, Patient Assessment, Imaging, Interventional Procedures, Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, EKG, Pharmacology, Hemodynamics & Calculations. 

• SICP’s Signature RCES Review Course featuring the Egram Workshop. 

Non-Invasive Testing, 12-Lead Breakdown for EP, E-Grams, Diagnostic EP, Ablation Physics I & II, Pacemaker/ICD Implant, and Case EGMs and Practice.

Attention SICP Members! We’re offering a $299 registration rate for the ENTIRE conference, including SICP’s Signature RCIS/RCES Review Courses, Wet Lab, Contemporary Concepts for Cath Lab Professionals Sessions, and 4 days of education at NCVH.

Making the case for RCIS to the California RadTech Certification Committee

By Nicole Shore, SICP Executive
Director

SICP had the opportunity to attend the California Radiologic Technology Certification Committee (RTCC) Meeting on April 17, 2013 in Los Angeles.

At this meeting we discussed the negative impact Title 17 was having on RCIS-credentialed individuals working in California Cath Labs. We also invited the committee to consider modifying Title 17 to remove restrictions placed on RCIS-credentialed individuals. Long-time SICP Member and Leader, Jeff Davis, RCIS, attended this meeting to present SICP’s efforts. Cardiovascular Credentialing International also sent two representatives: Doug Passey, RCIS and Elaine Shea, RCIS.

Our efforts at the CA RTCC meeting in April went well but did not result in the desired action. There was active discussion and debate with the committee regarding the current law in CA and how this affects the RCIS profession. In many cases, professionals holding the RCIS credential were losing their jobs and or were not able to perform their full scope of practice. The Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) were interpreting Title 17 as such that the RCIS-credentialed individuals were not able to move the patient or table under the direct supervision of the Physician during Cardiac Catheterization procedures.

The RTCC was interested in learning more about the RCIS and the specific education and training one must accomplish to earn the credential. The committee was interested to see how the law was being interpreted toward RCIS-credentialed individuals. The committee agreed to research and review how the law was being interpreted, disallowing RCIS-credentialed individuals to act under direct orders of the Physician. It was apparent that the RCIS representatives overwhelmed the committee with data and brought forth a significant issue.

After review of this matter, it was recognized that Title 17 was being interpreted in various ways throughout California. The meeting resulted in the committee agreeing to review and research Title 17 and consider modifying the language of Title 17 by offering new definitions, exemptions or interpretations that could ultimately result in the RCIS being able to position the patient in the cath lab under the supervision of the Physician. Hopefully, this would accomplish our goal of ensuring the RCIS would be able to perform the duties associated with scrubbing, recording, manipulating the imaging equipment and positioning the patient to comply with Title 17. The committee agreed to look into the full issue prior to the October committee meeting. 

Many thanks and appreciation to Dr. Morton Kern, who spoke on our behalf. The Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (ACVP) was also present at the meeting and was represented by its Executive Director, Peggy McElgunn. 

The next CA RTCC meeting will be held in Sacramento on the 23rd of October. 

The Radiologic Technology Certification Committee (RTCC) assists, advises, and makes recommendations for the establishment of regulations necessary to ensure the proper administration and enforcement of the Radiologic Technology Act.

CA RTCC members are appointed by the CDPH Director and are composed of:

• Six physicians and surgeons licensed to practice medicine in this state, three of whom shall be certified in radiology by the American Board of Radiology. At least one of the radiologists shall be representative of the hospital practice of radiology.

• Two persons with at least five years’ experience in the practice of radiologic technology. At least one of these persons shall be representative of the hospital practice of radiologic technology.

• One radiological physicist, qualified in the use of physics in the practice of medicine.

• One podiatrist licensed to practice podiatry in this state.

• One chiropractic practitioner licensed to practice chiropractic in this state.

Current members can be found at the RTCC member listing. 

California Radiologic Health Branch

The Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) is within the Food, Drug, and Radiation Safety Division of the Department of Public Health. The Branch enforces the laws and regulations indicated below designed to protect the public, radiation workers, and the environment. RHB is responsible for providing public health functions associated with administering a radiation control program. This includes licensing of radioactive materials, registration of X-ray-producing machines, certification of medical and industrial X-ray and radioactive material users, inspection of facilities using radiation, investigation of radiation incidents, and surveillance of radioactive contamination in the environment.

RHB administers and enforces the following laws and implementing regulations:

Radiation Control Law (Health & Safety Code Sec. 114960 et seq.)

Radiologic Technology Act (Health & Safety Code Sec. 27(f).)

Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification (Health & Safety Code Secs. 107150 through 107175)

Regulations implementing the above laws are in Title 17, California Code of Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 5, Subchapters 4.0, 4.5, & 4.6.

Next Meeting Information:

Date: October 23, 2013

Location:

California Department of Public Health

1500 Capitol Avenue, Main Auditorium (1st floor) 

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 327-5106

Please contact Ed Pezanoski, RCIS Grossmont Hospital Edward.Pezanoski@sharp.com.

Sally Elliott, RCIS, BS, SICP President Currituck, NC

Sally is Director of the Cardiovascular Technology Program for the Sentara College of Health Sciences. She directs a number of specialties, including Non-Invasive Echocardiography, Invasive Cardiology, Electrophysiology, and Peripheral Vascular Technologies.

Sally began her career as a Paramedic for the Baltimore City Fire Department, continuing this pursuit of emergency medicine through employment with Kent County EMS, Dover Delaware and Portsmouth Fire and Rescue, Portsmouth, Virginia. Following this pursuit, Sally entered the cardiovascular care arena serving the community of Hampton Roads, Virginia, as a Cardiovascular Technologist with the Sentara Health Care System caring for patients in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and recovery area. 

Sally pursued and earned a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Biology and Chemistry from Old Dominion University. Here, Sally participated in university research, developing a higher understanding of vector-borne disease. Currently, Sally is a PhD candidate in Public Health-Epidemiology at Walden University, finding direction for promoting health and well-being for children suffering from obesity.

Sally has a defined passion and dedication for promotion of education, awareness and prevention of the cardiovascular disease, which represents our nation’s number one killer.