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Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

What you’d do

  • 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.
  • 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.

Skills that matter

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • Cardio Tech (Cardiovascular Technician)
  • Cardiology Technician
  • Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT)
  • Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
  • Cardiac Cath Lab Technologist (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist)
  • Cardiac Catheterization Technician

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