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Cardiovascular Technologists: Job Description, Education, Skills and Duties, Earnings and Outlook

Submitted by: paula

Job Overview Cardiovascular technologists are basically the assistants of physicians in diagnosing and treating heart diseases, and ailments involving the vascular system or the blood vessels. They have different specialties as well. They may be tasked to operate electrocardiograph machines or perform Holter monitoring, assist patients in stress testing, assist physicians in cardiac catheterization procedures as well as perform doppler or ultrasound procedures. These tasks are very helpful to the cardiologists, within the course of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of  the patients. At present, there are approximately around 42,560 cardiovascular technologists in the United States.

Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required

An aspiring cardiovascular technologists should take subjects in human biology, mathematics, computer, physics, and English as early as high school. The minimum educational level to become a professional in this field is the possession of a post secondary training in the field or area of cardiovascular technology of choice. A four year bachelor's degree in any o the courses such as nursing, public health, radiology science are recommended. In addition, specific trainings should be taken such as trainings in stress test, Holter monitoring, ultrasonography, ECG  operation, cardiac catheterization assistance, to name a few.

Skills and Abilities

Specific technical skills are needed for them to master. Just like if the technician is assigend to operate an ECG machine or do Holter monitoring, he has to know the basics and the specifics of conducting this specific procedure.  Listening skills and communication skills are needed as they will be taking instructions and collaborate with the cardiologists and other health professionals in the hospitals. interpersonal skills and nursing skills are needed as they adminster their interventions with the patients considering explaining how the patient can cooperate,giving instructions, proper positionining and after procedure care. 

Duties

There are specific specializations under the umbrella of profession cardiovascular technologists.

They contribute to the team of Cardiology by accomplishing or performing one or more of the many procedures involved in cardiovascular medicine. This includes both invasive and non invasive procedures such as echocardiography or ultrasound procedures, electrocardiography or ECG procedures, as well as assiting in the angiography or visualization of blood vessles invasively. They may also conduct stress testing along with the doctors and assist in cardiac catheterization or angioplasty procedures. They may work both in a hospital or in a on hospital care facilities such as the clinics or mobile medical service facilities, as well as private doctor's offices.

Job Outlook and Earnings

The salary of a cardiovascular technologist varies due to several factors. Among these factors include the specialization, number of hours worked, as well as the state and employer. The salary range from 22,810 U.S. dolalrs for those in the entry level positions. Those who have moderate experience in the field may earn around 40,420 U.S. dollars in a year, while those who are highly experienced and have proven credibility in the field may earn around 63,010 U.S. dollars per annum.

Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.

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Word Count: 538 Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2010 Time: 1:56 PM


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