Registered Nurse (RN) - Cardiac Cath Lab
Posted Sep 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
Behavioral
Tell me about a time you caught a complication early during or right after a cardiac catheterization procedure.
clinical vigilance and pattern recognition specific to cath lab complications like bleeding, arrhythmia, or vessel dissection
Tell me about a time you had to give bad news or explain a risky procedure to a frightened patient or family member right before they went into the cath lab.
communication skill and compassion under time pressure with anxious patients
What's your background with ICU or ED critical care, and how do you think that experience translates to the cath lab environment?
whether the 2 years of critical care experience preference is genuinely covered and relevant
Describe a time you disagreed with a physician or team member about a clinical decision during a procedure. What did you do?
ability to advocate for patients while maintaining working relationships in a high-stakes team setting
Tell me about a time the cath lab team had a bad outcome or near-miss. How did the team respond afterward?
comfort with debriefing, quality improvement culture, and personal accountability
What does it mean to you to maintain a strong patient experience score when patients are often anxious, sedated, or in pain during your care?
alignment with the unit's stated emphasis on top-tier patient experience despite a high-stress clinical environment
Technical
What's your experience with hemostasis techniques after sheath removal, like manual pressure, closure devices, or compression devices?
hands-on procedural competency specific to cath lab post-procedure care
How do you monitor and interpret hemodynamic waveforms and ECG changes during a procedure, and what would make you speak up to the physician?
depth of cardiac monitoring knowledge and willingness to advocate for patient safety in real time
How do you keep track of medications, contrast dye amounts, and radiation exposure during a long or complex interventional case?
attention to detail and safety awareness around procedural risks like contrast-induced nephropathy or radiation exposure
Situational
Walk me through how you'd manage a patient who becomes hemodynamically unstable in the middle of an interventional procedure in the cath lab.
whether the candidate can prioritize and act under pressure in a high-acuity procedural setting
You're on call and get paged for an emergent STEMI activation at 2am with a 30 minute response window. Walk me through what you do from the moment your phone rings.
understanding of call expectations and ability to mobilize quickly for time-critical cardiac events
How would you handle a hybrid OR case where the plan shifts suddenly from a diagnostic cath to an emergent surgical intervention?
adaptability and understanding of the hybrid OR workflow described in this specific lab
Tell me about a time you had to physically move or reposition a patient quickly, maybe during a sliding transfer or emergency, while also managing lines and equipment.
realistic understanding of the physical demands and multitasking required in the role
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As published by Advocate Health.
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