When Katherine Venasse found herself experiencing panic attacks and irregular heart rhythms, she turned to research. Katherine wanted to understand why irregular heart rhythms occur. The exploration of her condition resulted in much more than comprehension: It sparked an interest in cardiac anatomy and physiology that led Katherine to Mohawk College and a rewarding career.
“I have always wanted to work in a medical field; my mother is a nurse and my partner is an MRI technologist,” says Katherine, who enrolled at Mohawk equipped with a bachelor’s degree in English and Cultural Studies and a career background as nutritionist. “This job is about more than doing ECGs. I enjoy knowing that I am able to help patients feel calm during hospital visits and be a small, but positive, part of their day.”
At Mohawk’s two-year, accredited Cardiovascular Technology program, Katherine gained a combination of technical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and related theory. Because it is aligned with the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists, the offering also ensures students meet the organization’s required competencies. Katherine learned to perform cardiovascular tests such as electrocardiography, Holter monitoring, exercise stress testing, pacemaker/cardiac device follow-up, ambulatory BP monitoring, and ECG event/loop monitoring.
“I would suggest that students focus on their studies, becoming confident in their ability to interpret ECGs, and to consider their patient care skills as an asset,” she says. “It is important to be kind and respectful towards every patient, and it can be difficult when patients become anxious or aggressive. Patient care skills are exceptionally important to make patients feel comfortable and safe in your care.”
To augment her in-class learning, Katherine participated in two clinical placements in hospital settings. The first, because it occurred during the pandemic, also taught Katherine the importance of personal protective equipment and safety. The second, says Katherine, at premier academic and research healthcare organization St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), was even more beneficial thanks to a well-rounded clinical placement structure.
“The hospital is big and fast paced, but not overwhelming,” she says. “I was given lots of experience in different departments — ICU, critical care, pre-op, post-op, long-term care, and more. I am now currently employed at SJHH as a casual cardiovascular technologist.”
Since completing her co-op and her program, Katherine has been confidently establishing her career at SJHH. She says the workflow, the people (both her patients and co-workers), and her ability to play a role in reducing patient anxiety are the most rewarding aspects of her work.
“I love going to do a patient’s ECG and seeing them smile when I get there,” says Katherine. “I enjoy bonding with my patients, and I think it’s important to acknowledge their feelings. When it’s busy, it’s easy to forget that everyone is going through something important during their hospital stay. So, it’s good to slow down and let them know that they are appreciated.”
With her solid Mohawk College foundation, Katherine is now looking ahead to pursuing further education. Among the opportunities she is exploring are pacemaker education, electrophysiology, research, management, and more.
