Cardiovascular Technologist / Technician Careers
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Cardiovascular Technologist / Technician:
Cardiovascular Technicians assist physicians with diagnostic cardiology (heart), and vascular (blood vessel) tests, and also monitor cardiovascular data during procedures. Most cardiovascular technologist jobs are located in catheterization labs of large hospitals.
Cardiovascular technologists can choose to specialize in:
Vascular Technology - Cardiovascular Technicians specializing in Vascular Technology assist physicians in the diagnosis of conditions affecting the circulation. A Cardiovascular Technician specializing in vascular technology is sometimes referred to as a Vascular Technologist or a Vascular Sonographer.
Invasive Cardiology can be used to treat blockages of the blood vessels and heart valves, without the need for heart surgery. Invasive Cardiology involves inserting a small tube or catheter into a patient's artery, and directing it to the patient's heart. This procedure can determine and treat a blockage that may exist in one of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. Angioplasty and Electrophysiology are invasive cardiology procedures.
Echocardiography - A Cardiovascular Technologist/Technician who specializes in Echocardiography, is trained to give electrocardiograms (EKGs) and sonograms of the heart. These technicians are sometimes known as cardiographic, electrocardiograph or EKG technicians.
Noninvasive Cardiology, refers to procedures that do not require insertion of probes, tubes or catheters into the patient's body. Noninvasive cardiology procedures include Ultrasounds. An Ultrasound is where the Cardiovascular Technician transmits a high frequency sound wave into the patient's body, and records the reflected echoes. The Cardiovascular Technologist needs to pay attention to potentially diseased areas and, report findings to the supervising physician.
Depending on the interests, qualifications and area of specialization, the main duties of a Cardiovascular Technologist/Technician include:
- Assisting physicians with diagnosing cardiology conditions
- Monitoring cardiovascular equipment during procedures
- Maneuvering patients during treatment
- Setting up and transferring heavy equipment.
- Evaluating pulses and assessing blood flow in arteries and veins by listening to the vascular flow sounds for
- abnormalities
- Recording vascular information such as vascular blood flow, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, cerebral
- circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation
- Reporting findings to the supervising physician
Education & Qualifications:
To become a Cardiovascular Technician you will need to complete an accredited educational program. Programs in this field vary from 2 to 4 years in duration, and students graduate with an associate's degree or bachelor's degree.
Certification is available from two organizations: Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
- Noninvasive cardiovascular technologists may be credentialed as Registered Cardiovascular Technologists (RCS)
- Invasive cardiovascular techs are certified as Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists (RCIS).
- Vascular cardiovascular techs as certified as Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)
Salary & Job Prospects:
In general, a typical cardiovascular technicians salary varies from $30,000 - $50,000 annually. Salaries depend on location, specialization and experience. With additional training and experience, advanced cardiovascular technologists can earn much more.
As with most healthcare professions the job prospects for a Cardiovascular Technologist / Technician are excellent. Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians can also work for Travel Agencies in short term contracts across the nation.
Below is a list of some of the various types of allied health careers / professions: