Cardiovascular Technician
Assist physicians and cardiovascular technologists in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. Schedule appointments, perform ultrasound or cardiovascular procedures, review doctors’ interpretations and patient files, and monitor patients’ heart rates. They also operate and care for testing equipment, explain test procedures, and compare findings to a standard to identify problems.
Annual openings
55
BLS median wage
$94,190
Typical education
Associate's degree
10-year growth
+8%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
Associate's degree
Credential requirement
A certification is expected for this job.
Credential detail
Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT) all offer certification examinations.
Work experience
Entry-level
Experience detail
This is an entry-level role so no experience in a Healthcare environment is required. However, full or part-time work experience of any kind developing the listed knowledge and abilities is preferred, with previous Healthcare and Customer Service experience being valued.
Training
Completion of an approved Cardiovascular Technician program.
Employer competency information
Feedback from employers identifies the following critical competencies and how they apply for this job
- Critical and Analytical Thinking — Applying theory and knowledge to correlate with a patient’s results and identifying when the results do not correlate with the current situation.
- Basic Problem Solving — Following procedures to analyze a specimen, but also being able to troubleshoot and solve issues as they arise.
- Health & Safety — Knowing and following institutional policies in an ethical manner and leading by example in dealing with specimens in a proper manner.
- Teamwork — Interacting professionally with colleagues and other members of the Healthcare team.
- Communication and Customer Focus — Communicate effectively with patients, to provide good customer service, co-workers, to facilitate effective shift handoffs of in-process activities, and physicians/care providers so that test results are understood and appropriate action/treatment can be taken.
- Tools & Technology — Must be able to skillfully use laboratory information software and instrument software.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Work style
- With kids/peopleOccasionally
- On a computerOccasionally
- Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
- With your handsOccasionally
Interests it draws on
- Healthcare
- Healthcare Technicians
Automation exposure
Low exposure
Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.
A typical day
- Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
- Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
- Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
- Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
- Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
- Prepare and position patients for testing.
Also includes
Specializations that share this occupation’s labor-market data.
- Cardiovascular Technologist