The team is comprised of Registered Nurses, Echocardiographers, Cardiac Technicians, Diagnostic Technicians, Medical Transcriptionists, a Supervising Secretary and Registration Intake Coordinators who work under the direction of the Medical Director of Cardiac Services, Chief of Noninvasive Cardiology, and Administrator of Cardiac Services.
MEET THE STAFF:
Deborah J. Ventriglia
Administrative Manager of Noninvasive Cardiology
Deborah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University, where she graduated Magnum cum Laude in 1986 and was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. She began her career in 1975 as a Cardiovascular Technician, and now has over 20 years managerial experience in the field of Cardiology. She joined the staff of Hackensack University Medical Center in 1989 and has been an integral part of the growth and technological advances of Noninvasive Cardiology. In addition, she helped develop and implement the Diagnostic Technician Department, which combines the roles of a Phlebotomist and an EKG Technician. She is a member of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals.
"As we continue to move through the new millennium, our main objective will be to continue to deliver quality, compassionate care to our patients."
Kathleen Hamilton, R.N.-C.
Nurse Coordinator
Kathy Hamilton, R.N.-C., received her education from Saint Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn, New York, and she is certified as a Medical Surgical Nurse by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She has been a member of the nursing profession for over 30 years. In 1992 she began her tenure at Hackensack University Medical Center, where she is credited with establishing the nursing role within Noninvasive Cardiology. Throughout her career, she has specialized in various aspects of cardiac care including cardiac rehabilitation, staff development and education, and she has held supervisory roles in the Critical Care and Intensive Care Units. She was responsible for the development and implementation of the hospital-wide First Responder Program, which instructs non-medical hospital employees in the use of the Automatic External Defibrillator. Kathy is an active member of the American Heart Association and is involved in their community programs as a CPR instructor. She was the recipient of the Hackensack University Medical Center Nurse Excellence Award representing cardiac services and has received the Hackensack University Medical Center award for Most Valuable Team Player (August 2000).
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NURSING
Mary Malady, R.N., BSN, CCRN
Susan Mathus, R.N., BSN
Staff Nurses
The Registered Nurses of Noninvasive Cardiology specialize in adult cardiovascular care. Prior to joining the noninvasive cardiology team, they were involved in various aspects of cardiac care including the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Electrophysiology, Pacemaker, Cardiac Surgery and the Critical Care and Intensive Care Units. These nurses, in accordance with the high standards of the department, are ACLS certified and possess strong cardiovascular assessment skills. It is their diverse cardiac backgrounds that strengthen the nursing core of our program.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHERS
A dynamic group of eight professionals perform the numerous types of Echocardiograms that are provided by Noninvasive Cardiology. Most of these individuals are Registered Diagnostic Sonographic Technologists or Registered Cardiovascular Technologists; others are registry eligible. They keep abreast of the latest technological advancements by earning Continuous Educational Credits on an ongoing basis.
CARDIAC TECHNICIANS
Cardiac Technicians perform Holter Monitoring and Cardiac Stress Testing. All of them are Heartsaver/AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) Certified and are proficient in reading heart rhythms. These caring individuals alleviate patients’ fears and apprehension in a quiet, relaxing holistic environment. In-service education programs maintain their high level of technical proficiency.
MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONISTS
Six Medical Transcriptionists process all of the written reports that are generated for the broad range of services provided by Noninvasive Cardiology.
SUPERVISING SECRETARY AND REGISTRATION INTAKE COORDINATORS
The six Registration Intake Coordinators, under the supervision of the Secretary, form the front desk office team that meets and greets our patients and assists them by providing necessary information to make their visit as efficient and comfortable as possible. They are also responsible for scheduling procedures, registering patients and performing billing functions.
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNICIANS
Lisa Collins-Jones, PBT, ASCP
Diagnostic Technician Resource Coordinator
Lisa leads a group of 22 Diagnostic Technicians who draw blood and perform Electrocardiograms (EKGs) on all inpatients and outpatients of the medical center. This area of service is a sub-section of Noninvasive Cardiology. Lisa’s responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Diagnostic Technicians, who perform nearly a quarter of a million procedures per year!
After graduating from Berdan Institute as a Certified Medical Assistant in 1988, Lisa began her career at Hackensack University Medical Center as a Phlebotomist (one who draws blood). She earned her certification (P.B.T.) in the early 90s from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (A.S.C.P). Her longstanding leadership role was rewarded in 1997, when she was promoted to Diagnostic Technician Resource Coordinator.
Each year, the Hackensack University Medical Center Diagnostic Technicians perform more than 70,000 EKGs and draw over 200,000 blood samples. They also provide outreach services to the community, drawing bloods in nursing homes, patient homes, private businesses, major corporations, high schools, YMCAs, government agencies and health fairs. In addition to the 22 full time Diagnostic Technicians, there are 20 part time and staff relief technicians who keep the department functioning 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
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