Ilyas K. Colombowala, MD, FACC, FHRS
Cardiac Electrophysiology · Houston, TX · colombowala.com
EP Staff Education

For Lab Managers

14-Day New-Hire Orientation Checklist

A printable orientation framework for new EP lab staff. Hand one to each new hire on day one. Reading time is roughly 5–15 minutes per entry; shadowing and scrubbing happen alongside.

← For lab managers

Preview below. The print output is a clean letter-sized PDF with checkboxes the new hire can use day-by-day.

Ilyas K. Colombowala, MD, FACC, FHRS
Cardiac Electrophysiology · Houston, Texas
EP Lab New-Hire Orientation
Name:
Role:
Start date: Manager:

Read the linked entry, sign off the box, and discuss with your manager. Each entry is at professional.colombowala.com. Reading time per entry is short; the goal is working familiarity, not memorization.

Week 1 — Foundation

Day 1 · Welcome & the standard we hold
  • Lab tour, badge/access setup, EMR access
  • Read: Room Layout (lab-setup)
  • Read: OR-Level Sterile Technique & Discipline (lab-setup) — most important first-day read
  • Shadow morning case
Day 2 · Sterile setup & safety
  • Read: Sterile Setup & Field
  • Read: Patches & Grounding
  • Read: Fluoroscopy Safety
  • Practice gowning and gloving with the scrub tech
Day 3 · SVT family
  • Read: AVNRT, AVRT, Atrial Tachycardia (conditions)
  • Read: SVT Ablation (procedures)
  • Observe an SVT case if scheduled
Day 4 · AF & atrial flutter
  • Read: Atrial Fibrillation, Typical Flutter, Atypical Flutter
  • Read: AF Ablation, Atrial Flutter Ablation
  • Observe an AF ablation if scheduled
Day 5 · VT, bradycardia, conduction
  • Read: VT, AV Block, Sinus Node Dysfunction, Bundle Branch Blocks
  • Read: VT Ablation, AVN Ablation
Week 1 manager check-in: Confidence with conditions covered Sterile gowning observed correct No deviations seen in last 5 cases

Week 2 — Devices, drugs, emergencies, scrubbing

Day 6 · Pacemakers
  • Read: Pacemaker Overview, Leadless Pacemaker Overview
  • Read: Pacemaker Interrogation (PBL-STOP framework)
  • Read: Pacemaker Implant
Day 7 · Defibrillators
  • Read: Transvenous ICD, S-ICD, EV-ICD overviews
  • Read: ICD Interrogation
  • Read: ICD Implant
Day 8 · CRT, loop recorder, LAA closure
  • Read: CRT-D, CRT Interrogation
  • Read: CRT Implant
  • Read: Loop Recorder Overview, Loop Recorder Check (PBOP framework)
  • Read: WATCHMAN, Amulet
Day 9 · Drugs & sedation
  • Read: heparin, protamine, midazolam/fentanyl, propofol, isoproterenol, adenosine, atropine, IV amiodarone
  • Review syringe-labeling protocol with the charge nurse
Day 10 · Mapping systems
  • Read: Mapping Station, Carto, Affera, Abbott / EnSite X, Boston Scientific / Rhythmia
  • Shadow a mapping tech during a case
Day 11 · EP emergencies (most important week-2 reading)
  • Read every Emergencies entry: pericardiocentesis, tamponade recognition, code drugs / ACLS, transcutaneous pacing, defibrillation in the lab, anaphylaxis, sedation reversal, contrast reaction
  • Walk the code cart with the charge nurse; locate every drug and device referenced
  • Tamponade-recognition simulation if your lab does drills
Day 12 · First scrubbed case
  • Re-read OR-Level Sterile Technique & Discipline the night before
  • Scrub on a routine case with senior staff
  • Debrief with the operator after the case
Day 13 · Lead extraction & high-complexity cases
  • Read: Lead Extraction (procedures) and complex VT mapping notes
  • Observe a lead extraction if scheduled
Day 14 · Assessment & readiness review
  • Manager check-in: comfort level by domain
  • Identify gaps and assign re-reads
  • Sterile technique check-off
  • Code-cart familiarity confirmed
Final readiness check: Cleared for independent circulating role Cleared for scrubbing on routine cases Re-read assignments noted

Source: