Cardiovascular Technologist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a cardiovascular technologist. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a cardiovascular technologist.
Who is a Cardiovascular Technologist?
A professional in the medical field who works with the circulatory system is known as cardiovascular technologist, cardiovascular technician, or vascular technician. Echocardiography, invasive cardiology, and vascular technology are all fields in which cardiovascular technologists work. The use of instruments like catheters and needles as well as skin incisions are all examples of invasive treatments. Noninvasive procedures like electrocardiograms and diagnostic ultrasounds are carried out by cardiovascular technicians, who are more technically skilled. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians support doctors in identifying and treating peripheral vascular (blood vessel) and cardiac (heart) disorders. In a cardiac cath lab, a cardiovascular technician carries out intricate procedures like the implantation of stents, the setting up of cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, as well as various testing to identify heart conditions. They answer requests for help and help save the lives of those who are having heart attacks.
Cardiovascular technologists are experts in invasive operations like catheterization, which is when a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a patient’s blood vessel. The catheter, for instance, could be placed into the leg and then extended through the blood veins to the heart. The catheter is used to find obstructions in the blood arteries that supply the heart. Diagnoses for illnesses like cardiac problems are also made through catheterization. Balloon angioplasty is also assisted by cardiovascular technologists. To open blocked heart blood channels without surgery, angioplasty is performed. An expandable balloon at the end of a catheter is inflated when it reaches the blockage in the blood arteries, which removes the obstruction. Additionally, cardiac technologists set up patients for pacemaker implantation and open-heart surgery. Patients are observed by technologists throughout these operations.
A career in cardiology may be desired by those with an interest in the field. Both of these medical specialists can save lives and work alongside doctors during heart surgeries. Selecting the professional path that is best for you might be made easier if you are aware of the differences between these two roles. Complex treatments including implanting a heart pacemaker or stents are carried out by cardiovascular technologists. Depending on their profession, their daily tasks can differ. For instance, a doctor may receive assistance from a specialist in invasive procedures when performing a heart catheterization. The following three fields are available for cardiovascular technologists to specialize in:
Invasive cardiology: Open or minimally invasive surgery is used in invasive cardiology to identify and treat structural problems in the heart.
Vascular technology and sonography: The field of vascular technology and sonography, often known as noninvasive peripheral vascular study, focuses on the diagnosis of circulatory disorders.
Cardiac sonography: To determine if a heart is functioning properly, cardiac sonography, also known as echocardiography, entails being an expert in several instruments and echocardiograms.
A medical specialist that assists patients in getting test results on their heart condition is a cardiovascular technician, sometimes known as a cardiographic technician. They are experts in the use of medical tools like Holter monitors, stress tests, and electrocardiograms (EKGs). These specialists frequently work at medical facilities, however, occasionally they also do so. There are a few key distinctions between cardiovascular technologists and cardiovascular technicians, even though the positions occasionally overlap. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians share many of the same responsibilities as each other, but they also have certain differences. Cardiovascular technologists can carry out a variety of operations and typically have more specialized job tasks. Patient catheterization and using ultrasonography equipment are included in this. However, cardiovascular professionals frequently undertake less invasive operations. Their work is mainly concerned with employing the correct equipment to provide patients with the right test findings. Through several tests, they determine a patient’s ailments.
Cardiovascular Technologist Job Description
Below are the cardiovascular technologist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a cardiovascular technologist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Shave, clean, and occasionally provide anaesthetics to patients as well as prepare them for catheterization.
- Help with balloon angioplasty operations to unblock heart valves or blood vessels
- Work with a doctor during electrophysiological testing to find erratic electrical impulses in the tissue of the heart
- Carry out an echocardiography exam.
- Examine patient records and medical interpretations
- Use the testing apparatus while guiding patients through the process.
- Monitor patient blood pressure and heart rate continuously during diagnostic or therapeutic operations using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment.
- Alert the doctor if anything seems out of the ordinary.
- Adjust the equipment and controls by a doctor’s orders or a defined protocol.
- Get the patient’s identify and record any medical information or test findings.
- Explain the testing process to the patients thereby increasing their compliance.
- Keep an eye on the patient’s safety and comfort and notify doctors of any irregularities or shifts in their behaviour while undergoing testing.
- Connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, affix electrodes to the patient’s chests, arms, and legs, and then operate the EKG machine to get a reading. when imaging the cardiovascular system, keep an eye on the gauges, recorders, and video screens of the data analysis system.
- Ensure proper operation of cardiology equipment by inspecting, testing, and maintaining it while doing small repairs.
- Train and supervise other cardiology students or technologists.
- Use electronic apparatus to perform phonocardiograms, echocardiograms, and stress tests.
- Make sure that patients feel at ease by responding to any inquiries they may have regarding the test.
- Record the outcomes of any cardiological tests and ask the on-call doctor to arrange any necessary follow-up exams.
- Monitoring the patients’ heart rates and informing the doctors of any values that are outside of normal limits can help the doctors during non-evasive cardiological treatments.
- Maintain cardiological supplies and equipment with regular cleanings and modifications.
- Track supply inventory levels and replenish the supply storehouse as necessary.
- Investigate issues with the cardiological apparatus and notify supervisors of any issues.
- Attend conferences and take part in research to stay current on cardiological advancements.
Qualifications
- A certificate in cardiovascular technology.
- At least two years’ worth of experience in cardiovascular technology or as a cardiology technician.
- Excellent understanding of cardiovascular disease symptoms, causes, and treatments.
- The capacity to employ EKG equipment and other cardiological technology.
- Demonstrated proficiency in equipment maintenance.
- Thorough familiarity with federal, state, and municipal regulations as well as professional medical standards, rules, and procedures.
- A demonstrated sense of teamwork and capacity for cooperation with coworkers.
- Outstanding interpersonal and bedside style.
- Excellent detail-orientedness and strong problem-solving abilities.
Essential Skills
- Tech-Savvy: Given that a patient’s life may be at stake, it should go without saying that anyone undertaking training to become a cardiology technologist must be proficient in using technology. You will receive instruction on how to use ultrasound machines, oxygen saturation monitors, and ECG monitors. You’ll be responsible for continuing your education and learning new skills as technology develops. Cardiovascular technicians are skilled in using automated diagnostic tools to spot pulmonary and cardiac issues. If you enjoy learning about cutting-edge technology, this profession presents a fantastic chance for you to put your knowledge to work for a worthwhile cause.
- Confident: Receiving a diploma as a cardiology technologist will provide you with the knowledge you need to successfully conduct patient tests, but confidence in your abilities is what will get you hired. There can be occasions when you’ll be working in challenging scenarios with agitated or unwell patients and working with doctors and cardiac surgeons might be scary. You’ll be able to think and respond fast under pressure if you have confidence in your abilities. When patients and doctors need you the most, having a level mind and the required training will guarantee that you can make the right choices.
- Compassion: When it comes to supporting patients when they are at their most vulnerable, compassion cannot be replaced by technology, critical thinking, or problem-solving. This occupation involves empathy and compassion because you will be working with anxious and frequently very unwell people.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Critical thinking is valuable to those who work in the field of cardiology technology since they have problem-solving skills. You must be a problem-solver with the ability to think critically since you will be collaborating with doctors to diagnose and treat cardiac and peripheral vascular disorders, also known as diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
- Good Knowledge of Human Anatomy: Knowledge of the human body’s structure and anatomy, particularly the circulatory system, is necessary to work as a cardiovascular technologist. Cardiovascular technicians must comprehend the structure and operation of the heart’s chambers. Cardiovascular technicians can comprehend what they see when doing tests and provide images for cardiologists with the help of this anatomy knowledge.
- Outstanding Communication Skills: Cardiovascular technicians interact with doctors, other healthcare professionals, and patients, thus they must have good communication skills. To help ensure patient safety, they must be able to listen, comprehend directions, and ask clarifying questions. When required, they shouldn’t be averse to speaking up. Cardiovascular technicians gather a patient’s medical history to get them ready for tests and other procedures. They also clarify procedures and respond to queries from patients. For these duties, effective communication is essential. The statistics on heart illness, for instance, are alarming in Canada, where nine out of ten citizens have at least one risk factor for either a stroke or heart disease. As a result, patients who are anxious about the likelihood that their tests would uncover serious health issues frequently interact with cardiology technologists. The ability to clarify the steps involved in their operations, have a calm demeanour, and have excellent communication skills can reassure patients and put them at ease. Because cardiac technologists frequently share crucial information with other healthcare professionals, effective communication skills are also crucial. As a cardiology technologist, you will frequently interact with patients who are under a lot of stress owing to the possibility that their test could disclose a significant health issue. These patients will feel more at peace if you can gently describe the steps involved in any surgery. You will be in charge of informing doctors before and after a patient’s test on the job every day. Knowing that effective verbal communication skills are necessary while dealing with other healthcare professionals is critical because they frequently care for hundreds of patients in a single day.
How to Become a Cardiovascular Technologist
- Obtain your GED or high school diploma.
You must complete your high school education before you can begin your job as a cardiovascular technologist. For entry into a degree program for cardiovascular technologists, this is a must. As you work for your diploma, strive for strong grades because many schools demand a minimum 3.0 high school GPA.
- Earn a certificate in cardiovascular technology.
You should think about which option would be better for your circumstances as the majority of businesses accept an Associate’s Degree in Cardiovascular Technology while some demand a four-year bachelor’s degree. Look for a course that has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The first year of academic study and laboratory work for the two-year associate degree is followed by a year of specialized instruction. This curriculum teaches you how to assist doctors, aseptic and sterile techniques, cardiac disorders and symptoms, diagnostic and monitoring procedures, and how to perform tests. Both on-campus and off-campus locations are possible for teaching the laboratory portion. During the program’s second year, students choose their areas of specialization. Cardiovascular technology can be applied invasively or not. If you want to work in a cardiac catheterization lab and put catheters into patients, you should choose invasive cardiology. Non-invasive cardiology makes use of tools including ultrasonography, EKG machines, Holter monitors, stress tests, and pacemaker monitoring. Only the second year of specialized training is required to earn the degree if you already have expertise in a related health profession, such as nursing.
- Obtain credentials
Even while some businesses would prefer it, many do not require CVT certification. If you have a certification, you can market yourself as a favoured candidate for jobs when you’re looking for work and you might find that you qualify for more job postings. Students must pass an exam and have completed an accredited training program to become certified. If you have a speciality in non-invasive practice, you may choose to consider the Registered Cardiac Sonographer program. The Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist credential can be obtained by individuals who selected an invasive specialization. For information on the specific criteria in your state, contact the Department of Health.
- Craft a resume and cover letter.
Make your cover letter and résumé, then apply for open positions. Aside from your internship experience, include any relevant education you have. You can increase your chances of getting hired by tailoring your resume and cover letter to the needs of each organization to whom you apply. A tailored CV demonstrates your interest in the career and your time spent researching the organization.
Where to Work as a Cardiovascular Technologist
Hospitals that offer medical and/or surgical services employ the vast majority of cardiovascular technicians and technologists. The location of this might be in a specialized department or emergency and critical care. Some work in outpatient healthcare facilities, doctor’s offices, hospitals, cardiac catheterization (cath) labs, and medical/diagnostic laboratories. In an emergency, they can be needed to work on weekends and evenings. You most likely hold a full-time job. Cardiovascular technologists can be found working throughout regular business hours or covering shifts around-the-clock and being on call in case of emergencies.
Cardiovascular Technologist Salary Scale
The typical monthly salary for a cardiovascular technologist in Nigeria is roughly 500,000 NGN. The remuneration is in the range of 260,000 and 765,000 NGN. A cardiovascular technologist’s average annual salary in the US is currently $93,274. The salary ranges between $56,000 and $144,000, from lowest to highest.