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Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians are to monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities, inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care, explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members, monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning. In general, for the Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, active Listening, speaking, operation Monitoring, monitoring and other 14 skills are required.
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians jobs. 9.85% of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 12.85% of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
9.85%
Post-Secondary Certificate
12.85%
Some College Courses
7.82%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
62.90%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
6.58%

Tasks and Work Activities of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
  • Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
  • Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
  • Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
  • 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.
  • Prepare and position patients for testing.
  • Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
  • Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.
  • Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
  • Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
  • Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.
  • Inject contrast medium into patients' blood vessels.
  • Observe ultrasound display screen and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, or cerebral circulation.
  • Assess cardiac physiology and calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
  • Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standard norms to identify abnormalities.
  • Activate fluoroscope and camera to produce images used to guide catheter through cardiovascular system.
  • Enter factors, such as amount and quality of radiation beam, and filming sequence, into computer.
  • Conduct tests of pulmonary system, using spirometer or other respiratory testing equipment.
  • Perform general administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or ordering supplies or equipment.
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
  • Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
  • Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
  • Monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
  • Test patient heart or lung functioning.
  • Position patients for treatment or examination.
  • Record patient medical histories.
  • Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
  • Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
  • Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
  • Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
  • Repair medical facility equipment.
  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
  • Supervise patient care personnel.
  • Train medical providers.
  • Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
  • Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
  • Calculate numerical data for medical activities.
  • Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.

Skills and Abilities for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Time SharingThe ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
  • Speed of ClosureThe ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  • Perfusion oxygenators or accessoriese.g. 3, 4, and 5 stopcock manifolds
  • Hematology analyzerse.g. Activated clotting time ACT lab equipment
  • Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheters or setse.g. Angiojets
  • Intravenous or arterial cannulas or accessoriese.g. Arterial line stop-cocks
  • Automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddlese.g. Automated external defibrillators AED
  • Cardiac pacemaker generator or cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker CRT-Pe.g. Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator AICD implants
  • Angioplasty balloon cathetere.g. Balloon catheters
  • Vascular filtere.g. Bird's nest inferior vena caval filters
  • Blood collection syringese.g. Blood collection syringes
  • Blood gas analyzerse.g. Blood gas analyzers
  • Arterial needlese.g. Brachial artery needles
  • Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheter introducers or setse.g. Brockenbrough needles
  • Surgical clamps or clips or forceps or accessoriese.g. C-clamps
  • Electrocardiography EKG unitse.g. Cardio-page writers
  • Cardiovascular sheath kitse.g. Cardiovascular catheter sheaths
  • Vascular filtere.g. Caval filters
  • Central venous catheterse.g. Central venous catheters
  • Chemical or gas sterilizerse.g. Chemical sterilizers
  • Coagulation analyzerse.g. Coagulation testing equipment
  • Pulmonary function calculatorse.g. Computerized lung analyzers
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.