Cardiovascular Technician
A Cardiovascular Technician, also known as an EKG/ECG technician or cardiac sonographer, is a healthcare professional who specializes in using advanced imaging techniques to assess heart health and identify potential abnormalities. They perform electrocardiograms (EKGs or ECGs), which are essential for evaluating heart activity, diagnosing conditions, and informing treatment plans. These technicians typically work in hospitals, doctors' offices, and medical imaging centers, often collaborating with cardiologists and other healthcare staff to provide essential patient care.
Daily responsibilities may include preparing and sterilizing equipment, conducting tests on patients, and documenting results for physician analysis. Successful cardiovascular technicians are usually detail-oriented and possess strong problem-solving skills, with a keen ability to interact empathetically with patients. Education typically requires an associate degree in cardiovascular technology or a related field, with many programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals.
With a projected employment growth rate of 10%, this profession offers opportunities for those interested in medical science and patient care. Cardiovascular technicians play a crucial role in maintaining heart health and supporting the diagnostic processes in the medical community.
Cardiovascular Technician
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Science, working in a medical environment, caring for others, solving problems
Earnings (Yearly Average): $80,850 per year $38.87 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 10% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Cardiovascular technicians, are also referred to as EKG/ECG technicians and cardiac sonographers. They use highly advanced imaging to evaluate a patient’s heart health and to identify any abnormalities for further diagnosis by cardiologists. Cardiovascular technicians perform electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG) to assist in the assessment and diagnosis of cardiovascular or heart health, function, or pathology. Electrocardiograph machines record and measure heart activity, heartbeats, and electrical activity. Physicians use these electrocardiograms to make diagnoses, analyze illness, assess change over time, and develop appropriate treatment plans.
Work Environment. Cardiovascular technicians spend their workdays in hospitals, doctors’ offices, catheterization laboratories, and medical imaging centers. They may perform electrocardiogram tests in medical imaging suites, operating rooms, emergency rooms, or patient rooms. Cardiovascular technicians generally work forty-hour weeks, but it is not unusual for them to work longer hours. Typical shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, and on-call hours to meet the medical community’s need for electrocardiograms.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of cardiovascular technician tend to be intelligent, analytical, and detail oriented. The most successful cardiovascular technicians display traits such as good eyesight, physical strength, stamina, hand-eye coordination, focus, problem-solving skills, calm demeanor, and tact. Cardiovascular technicians should enjoy working in a medical environment and have training in ultrasound technology.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Cardiovascular technicians’ daily occupational duties and responsibilities are determined by their area of job specialization and work environment. Cardiovascular technicians can specialize in electrocardiograms, invasive cardiology, echocardiography, vascular technology, and stress testing.
Cardiovascular technicians may begin their day by preparing and sterilizing the electrocardiogram equipment and coordinating with office or hospital staff to schedule and plan appointments. When they receive information about patient appointments, they review paperwork from the cardiologist or other referring doctor to determine the type and extent of testing required. This helps them plan their day and work as efficiently as possible.
When a patient arrives for testing, the cardiovascular technician typically greets the patient and explains the role of the electrocardiogram test in diagnosis and treatment. The cardiovascular technician then helps the patient position his or her body correctly for the test. Testing may involve attaching electrodes to the patient’s body to monitor his or her heart rate, performing a basic electrocardiogram as part of routine examinations or pre-surgery clearance procedures, or performing Holter monitoring procedures to track a cardiac patient’s heart activity over a twenty-four-hour period. The cardiovascular technician may examine the heart’s chambers, valves, and vessels using ultrasound imaging. Patients with pacemakers may visit the cardiovascular technician periodically so that their pacemakers’ level of function can be monitored. Cardiovascular technicians may also be called to perform emergency or bedside electrocardiograms. Throughout each exam, the cardiovascular technician works to maintain the comfort and safety of the patient.
All exams done by a cardiovascular technician have the potential to reveal life-threatening results, so he or she must use tact when interacting with patients. In most cases, the cardiovascular technician is instructed not to share test results with patients, and that duty is usually deferred to the patient’s physician.
After completing the ordered exams, the cardiovascular technician must note all normal and abnormal heart activity for the physician’s evaluation. Printouts of each exam’s results are usually collected and passed on to the patient’s doctor as well. If the test was difficult to conduct accurately or effectively, the results were inconclusive or hard to decipher, or the results showed evidence of abnormal cardiac activity, the cardiovascular technician will notify the referring physician that additional examinations are necessary.
In addition to the range of responsibilities described above, all cardiovascular technicians are responsible for educating themselves about the administrative, physical, and technical patient privacy safeguards included in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Cardiovascular technicians generally perform electrocardiograms in hospitals, doctors’ offices, catheterization laboratories, and medical imaging centers. Such medical settings are usually clean and brightly lit. Cardiovascular technicians must take care to prevent work-related injuries and exposure to radiation.
Human Environment. Cardiovascular technicians should be comfortable interacting with patients, physicians, laboratory technicians, nurses, scientists, and office staff. Due to the sensitive nature of medical diagnosis, cardiovascular technicians must use empathy, tact, and confidentiality when interacting with patients.
Technological Environment. To complete their work, cardiovascular technicians use electrocardiograph machines, paste, graph paper, electrodes, vascular catheters, calipers, cardiac ultrasound equipment, defibrillators, pacemakers, and sterilizing equipment.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a cardiovascular technician should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High school classes in anatomy, physiology, physics, and mathematics will provide a strong foundation for college-level work in the field. High school students interested in this career path should seek internships or part-time work opportunities that expose the students to medical settings.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming cardiovascular technicians should work towards an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in cardiovascular technology, medical sonography, ultrasound technology, or a related field. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals (CAAHEP) has accredited approximately 200 training programs in cardiovascular technology and diagnostic medical sonography. Coursework in anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, physics, and medical ethics may also prove useful in students’ future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment in medical settings.
Related Occupations
− Clinical Laboratory Technologist
− Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
− Electroencephalographic Technician
Bibliography
“Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.