Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians

Also Called: Cardiology Technician, Cardiovascular Technician, Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT), Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

What Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians do

Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

  • Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
  • Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
Industry Areas:

Health Care

Training Program Areas:

Clinical Medical Assistant • OCT-Only Health Care

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Work Context

  • Contact With Others
  • Physical Proximity
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  • Work With Work Group or Team

Tools

  • Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheters or sets
  • Cardiac pacemaker generator or cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker CRT-P
  • Vascular filter
  • Medical picture archiving computer systems PACS
  • Cardiac output CO monitoring units or accessories

Technology

Medical software
Electronic medical record EMR software
MEDITECH software
Data base user interface and query software
Database software
Structured data entry software
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Speaking

Knowledge

Business
customer service
Arts and Humanities
English language
Health
medicine and dentistry
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics

Education

  • 63% Associate's degree
  • 13% Post-secondary certificate
  • 10% High school diploma or equivalent

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Investigative (Thinker)
  • Realistic (Doer)
  • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity

Values

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Visual Understanding
  • Hand and Finger Use

This is what Cardiovascular Technologists & Technicians across the country typically make.

$17.61 / hour
$36,620 /year

Entry Level

$31.81 / hour
$66,170 /year

Median Level

$50.55 / hour
$105,140 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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