Career Profile: Cardiovascular Technologist
Medical Assisting Careers › Cardiovascular Technologist
See Available Cardiovascular Technologist
Also Called: Cardiovascular Technician
Job Description:
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. There are three general areas of specialization: invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular technology.
Invasive cardiology assist physicians with catheter treatments, a process by which a small tube (catheter) is inserted into a patients blood vessel to determine if there is any blockage in the vessels that supply blood to the heart. Specialists in echocardiography or vascular technology run what are known as "noninvasive" tests such as ultrasounds, which do not require any insertions into a patients body.
Cardiovascular Technologists also explain the procedure to patients, record any additional medical history the patient relates, select appropriate equipment settings and change the patient's position as necessary.
Some cardiovascular technologists and technicians schedule appointments, type doctors' interpretations, maintain patient files and care for equipment.
Work Environment
Cardiovascular Technologists work five-day, 40-hour weeks. Most of the time on the job is spent walking and standing. Those who work in catheterization labs may face stressful working conditions because they are in close contact with patients with serious heart ailments. Some may be on call during night hours and on weekends.
Education and Training Requirements:
Most cardiovascular technologists and technicians receive training in two to four year programs, although a few are trained on the job. Cardiovascular technologists, vascular technologists and cardiac sonographers normally complete a two-year junior or community college program. The first year is dedicated to core courses, and is followed by a year of specialized instruction in either invasive, noninvasive cardiovascular or noninvasive vascular technology.
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians must be reliable and able to follow detailed instructions accurately. An ability to have a calming affect on patients, due to the sensitivity of the job, is a desired skill.
Salary Range:
Median annual earnings of cardiovascular technologists and technicians were $36,430 in 2002. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians working in offices of physicians earned a median income of $36,420, while those in general medical hospitals earned $35,800.
Job Outlook:
Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The population of the country is aging, and with age comes a higher risk and incidence of heart problems. Prospects for vascular technologists and echocardiographers will grow as technological advances reduce the need for invasive procedures, which are generally more costly.
View the featured schools in your state. Click a state below:
Florida / Georgia / Illinois / Maryland / New York /Texas / Canada
| Georgia Schools | ||
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(Atlanta) - Cardiovascular Technology, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding Specialist, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, |  |
| Illinois Schools | ||
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(Collinsville) - Medical Assistant Medical Billing, Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technology (Certificate Program) | |
| Maryland Schools | ||
|---|---|---|
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(Landover) -Cardiovascular Technology, Diagnostic Medical, Sonography Medical Assistant | |
| New York Schools | ||
|---|---|---|
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(Garden City, New York, White Plains) - Non-Invasive Cardiovascular & Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant, Coding & Billing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography | |
| Texas Schools | ||
|---|---|---|
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(Dallas, Houston) - Non-Invasive Cardiovascular & Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant, Coding & Billing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Lab Tech | |
| Canadian Schools | ||
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(Hamilton, Ottawa East, Toronto College Park) - Cardiology Technologist | |
* Program Availability Varies By Location and Often Changes. To get the most up-to-date information, use the links we provide to request additional information from a local campus representative.
* DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 Program availability varies by location.©2010 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved
