Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

What Does a Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Do?

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.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Conduct 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.
• 2Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
• 3Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
• 4Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
• 5Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
• 6Prepare and position patients for testing.
• 7Attach 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.
• 8Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.

Required Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Database software
• Diagnostic image review software
• Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM-compatible image acquisition and integration software products
• Electronic medical record EMR software
• Hypertext preprocessor PHP
• Information systems integration software
• Internet or intranet image distribution software
• JavaScript
• MEDITECH software
• Microsoft Excel

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Salary