Understanding the High Demand for EP Lab Professionals

This is the first blog in a series of five that outlines a ground-breaking EP training that was developed and implemented at Duke University Heart Hospital.The blog will be published each Friday.  Don’t miss it!  Subscribe now to receive our blog via email!

Electrophysiology (EP) is a rapidly growing segment within the healthcare industry.  In fact, approximately 2.8 million people are affected by atrial fibrillation in the US and this number is expected to double by 2050 according to JAMA.

For hospitals this provides an opportunity to serve more patients.  According to a recent report about 2,000 hospitals, or less than half of all hospitals in the US, offer electrophysiology services and fewer than half of those perform ablations. This creates a potential opportunity for hospitals to expand their cardiovascular service lines to better meet patient needs.

However, with the increased demand for these services, there is a shortage of professionals.  The issue is a lack of formal education programs.  In fact, only two schools in the country offer electrophysiology programs and graduate as few as 20 students per year. Learn how continuing education can improve your career here.

Additionally, new allied professionals often become overwhelmed since most orientation programs don’t adequately prepare them for the fast-paced environment full of technology and procedure changes. With limited access to continuing education many professionals get frustrated and leave the field, creating even more demand for this much needed skill. 

A greater emphasis on training and education may provide an opportunity to draw more individuals to the field.  It may also help hospitals across the nation improve retention and enhance the expertise of their staff to better meet the electrophysiology needs of patients. Read the rest of the article here. 

As a busy EP lab professional, how do you take advantage of this high demand?  How do you continue learning while on the job and make the most of your career? What are the best next steps?  

Take a look at our helpful checklist for ideas:  3 Ways to Boost Your Career. 

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Watch for part two of this blog next Friday, 2/24.