Clinical Component

Navigating the Clinical Component

A Hands-On, High-Acuity Practice With Strong Support and Structural Depth

Your clinical work will span a well-balanced mix of coronary interventions, peripheral procedures, and structural heart cases across two established hospitals. With a unique weekly block schedule, you’ll alternate between dedicated time in the clinic, cath lab, and inpatient service—a rhythm designed to provide focused care without burnout. You’ll find yourself immersed in a high-acuity cardiology setting that values procedural excellence and continuity of care.

Patients in this community present with complex disease patterns, high comorbidity rates, and a strong demand for interventional and structural expertise. From performing PCIs and Watchman procedures to evaluating patients for TAVR and MitraClip, your clinical toolbox will be fully utilized. Fellows and residents enhance your workflow by assisting with rounds, notes, procedural prep, and imaging review—freeing you to focus on meaningful, high-impact care.

Clinic Volume, Imaging, and Diagnostic Breadth

When in clinic, you can expect to see 25–30 patients per day. The practice operates at a high-volume outpatient level, with physicians initiating and interpreting the majority of diagnostic imaging, particularly echocardiograms and nuclear stress tests. This diagnostic throughput not only fuels downstream procedures but also significantly contributes to your overall RVU productivity.

  • Clinic schedule includes full patient panels averaging 25–30 visits/day
  • Significant echo volume generated and read by the cardiologist
  • Imaging includes stress testing, EKG interpretation, and Lexiscan review
  • Clinic visits are supported by fellows and staff to optimize throughput

Cath Lab Environment and Procedural Workflow

Cath lab responsibilities rotate as part of the weekly block schedule, ensuring procedural weeks are focused and efficient. You will perform PCIs, peripheral interventions, and structural cases across both Riverside Community Hospital and St. Bernardine Medical Center. The two hospitals are approximately 2 miles apart, eliminating dual-location conflicts and ensuring focused procedural time.

  • Cath lab weeks are protected for high-volume procedural focus
  • Current cases include coronary interventions, balloon valvuloplasty, PFO/ASD closures, and Watchman procedures
  • TAVR and MitraClip are performed approximately once per month, with more growth expected
  • Cath lab support includes fellows and general cardiology residents for documentation, imaging, and consults
  • Structural cases scheduled around dedicated block weeks; volumes expected to grow with incoming hire

Call Structure and Support

Call responsibilities are structured to promote balance and shared accountability. STEMI call is split between the two hospitals—you are only responsible for one site per call shift, never both. Riverside offers additional voluntary call opportunities compensated at ~$1,400 per 24-hour shift.

  • 6–7 STEMI calls per month on average
  • Call is hospital-specific; no dual-site obligations
  • Riverside call is voluntary and compensated
  • Typical response time is within 30 minutes
  • General call rotation is approximately every third to fourth weekend

Integrated Team and Teaching Support

At St. Bernardine, you will work with a robust fellowship program that includes four general cardiology fellows annually. These fellows support your workflow in the cath lab and on the floors—handling consults, notes, and follow-up care. While Riverside does not host the group’s own fellowship, residents and hospital-based fellows still integrate into daily workflows and support procedural cases.

  • Fellows at St. Bernardine assist with rounding, notes, and procedures
  • Residents and fellows provide support at Riverside Community Hospital
  • EMR: Epic used across both hospitals
  • Cath lab and clinic teams are familiar with high-acuity cardiac patients and structural workflows

Practice-Building and Outreach

This region presents untapped potential for expanding your structural footprint. With the support of the practice and hospital income guarantees, you are encouraged to network with surrounding referring communities such as Hemet and the High Desert. The goal is to grow the program organically through outreach, referrals, and high-quality results.

  • Current patient base already supports consistent procedural volume
  • Additional volume can be captured through outreach to underserved areas
  • High regional demand for structural intervention with limited local competition

Whether you're performing complex interventions or mentoring the next generation of cardiologists, you will be practicing at the intersection of innovation, teamwork, and impact. This is a setting where your clinical skills will be recognized, utilized, and continually developed.

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