Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 58,100 people employed as cardiovascular technologists and technicians in the United States. The median annual salary is $60,570. Entry level employees earn approximately $29,910 per year and senior employees earn approximately $98,070 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Observe ultrasound display screen and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, or cerebral circulation.
• Assist surgeons with vascular procedures, such as preparing balloons and stents.
• 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.
• Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
• Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.
• Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standard norms to identify abnormalities.
• Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
• Assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac or peripheral vascular treatments, such as implanting pacemakers or assisting with balloon angioplasties to treat blood vessel blockages.
• Assess cardiac physiology and calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
• Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.
• Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
• Inject contrast medium into patients' blood vessels.
• Transcribe, type, and distribute reports of diagnostic procedures for interpretation by physician.
• 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.
• Activate fluoroscope and camera to produce images used to guide catheter through cardiovascular system.
• Set up 24-hour Holter and event monitors, scan and interpret tapes, and report results to physicians.
• Perform general administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or ordering supplies or equipment.

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