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Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician

What Does it Take to Be a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician?

Career Description 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. Includes vascular technologists.

What Do Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
  • Perform general administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or ordering supplies or equipment.
  • Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
  • Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
  • Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
  • Inject contrast medium into patients' blood vessels.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician?

When polled, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Other Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician Job Titles

  • Laboratory Technician (Lab Technician)
  • Cardiology Technologist
  • EKG/ECG Technician (Electrocardiogram Technician)
  • Cardiopulmonary Technologist
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Job Demand for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

In the United States, there were 55,000 jobs for Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,500 new jobs for Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 3,500 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician are Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Illinois, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians make between $29,340 and $93,100 a year.

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Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians who work in District of Columbia, Oregon, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $51,090
Alaska $67,160
Arizona $58,080
Arkansas $49,680
California $72,960
Colorado $69,280
Connecticut $76,800
Delaware $57,740
District of Columbia $80,840
Florida $49,340
Georgia $58,120
Hawaii $58,760
Idaho $58,020
Illinois $60,500
Indiana $53,650
Iowa $52,700
Kansas $50,740
Kentucky $49,370
Louisiana $42,320
Maine $65,610
Maryland $59,820
Massachusetts $77,520
Michigan $57,760
Minnesota $66,130
Mississippi $42,330
Missouri $50,380
Montana $63,460
Nebraska $50,360
Nevada $66,640
New Hampshire $61,110
New Jersey $75,130
New Mexico $58,610
New York $63,690
North Carolina $66,320
North Dakota $60,640
Ohio $54,620
Oklahoma $43,770
Oregon $77,680
Pennsylvania $55,520
Rhode Island $73,380
South Carolina $58,850
South Dakota $49,700
Tennessee $48,050
Texas $54,550
Vermont $52,800
Virginia $61,720
Washington $60,180
West Virginia $35,660
Wisconsin $61,190
Wyoming $54,110

What Tools do Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • JavaScript
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software
  • Database software
  • Hypertext preprocessor PHP
  • MEDITECH software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Practice management software PMS
  • Pyxis MedStation software
  • Information systems integration software
  • Diagnostic image review software
  • Internet or intranet image distribution software
  • Structured data entry software

Becoming a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician

Education needed to be a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Are Employed

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The table below shows the approximate number of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians employed by various industries.

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Those thinking about becoming a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician might also be interested in the following careers:

Career changers with experience as a Cardiovascular Technologist or Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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