National
| Median wages (2008) |
$22.60 hourly, $47,010 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
45,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
18,000 additional employees |
29-2031.00 - Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary-functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.
Sample of reported job titles:
Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT), Cardiovascular Technician, Cardiology Technician, Cardiac Technician, Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS), EKG/ECG Technician (Electrocardiogram Technician), Echocardiographer, Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Technician), Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS), Cardiopulmonary Technician
Tasks
- Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
- Explain testing procedures to patient to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
- Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
- Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
- Obtain and record patient identification, medical history or test results.
- Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.
- Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
- Prepare and position patients for testing.
- Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
- Supervise and train other cardiology technologists and students.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Cardiac pacemaker generators or implantable defibrillators or accessories — Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator AICD implants; Pacemaker analyzers; Silicone lead end caps; Ventricular demand pacemakers |
| Cardiac ultrasound or doppler or echo units or cardioscopes — 3D-ultrasound processing and analysis tools; Cardiac color Doppler ultrasound equipment; Echocardiography systems; Pulse-wave Doppler ultrasound units |
| Cardiovascular implants — Bird's nest inferior vena caval filters; Caval filters; Distal embolic protection devices; Vena caval filters |
| Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheters or sets — Angiojets; Grollmann catheters; Rheolytic thrombectomy systems; Rotoblators |
| Medical picture archiving computer systems PACS — Image capturing and transmission systems; Image storage systems; Scan converters |
| Medical ultrasound or doppler or echo transducers or accessories — Adult/pediatric cardiac transducers; Multiplane transducers; Phased cardiac transducers; Small parts shallow vascular transducers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Database software; Structured data entry software |
| Internet browser software — Web browser software |
| Inventory management software — Cardinal Health Pyxis CII Safe |
| Medical software — Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM-compatible image acquisition and integration software products; Practice management software PMS; Smart Digital Holter Monitor; Ultrasound report creation software |
