Cardiovascular Technicians assist physicians to diagnose and treat heart disease and other vascular difficulties of the people. They operate variety of equipments to create images or conduct tests while diagnosing the cardiology conditions of the patients. Their responsibilities include scheduling appointments, reviewing patients’ medical records, monitoring patients’ vital signs such as heart rates, oxygen saturation, blood pressure etc, positioning the patient during the procedure, administering drugs, maintaining the equipments, counseling on lifestyle changes so on and so forth.
Cardiovascular Technicians often specialize in different areas of practice such as invasive cardiology, echocardiography, vascular technology, stress testing and electrocardiograms. These professionals work in variety of health care settings under the direct supervision of a physician according to their special areas. They can be employed in public and private hospitals, doctors’ offices, operating rooms, intensive care units, emergency wards, diagnostic laboratories, cardiac rehabilitation centers etc. Sometimes, they work for longer hours and may be on call during the night or weekends.
Educational Requirements
To qualify for the position of a Cardiovascular Technician, the aspiring candidates need to earn at least a 2-year associate’s degree in cardiovascular technology. Students can complete a 4-year degree program in cardiovascular technology or related field to find better job opportunities. However, some of these professionals are trained on the job.
The students cover the syllabus of cardiovascular anatomy, pathology, physiology, pharmacology, physics, electrocardiography, diagnostic testing etc.
Licensure & Certification
Since the practice of Cardiovascular Technician needs to be licensed in many states of USA, the aspiring candidates have to pass the licensing examination. These professionals can seek examination-based certification from American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Skill Set
Apart from clinical knowledge, Cardiovascular Technicians possess various skills such as empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, attention to detail, maintaining calm and helpful during stressful situations, dexterity to perform procedures, ability to work for long hours even in irregular times, recording accurate report, physical stamina for lifting and positioning the patients and equipments, , pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Cardiovascular Technician remains excellent in USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 30% from 2012 to 2022. The average annual salary of a Cardiovascular Technician was $52,070 in 2012.