Cardiovascular Technician Careers

Cardiovascular Technician Degrees and Schools

Cardiovascular Technician Careers Information

Also known as vascular sonographers, echocardiography technologists/technicians, cardiology technologists, or EKG (electrocardiogram) technicians, cardiovascular technicians assist physicians in treating various cardiovascular diseases and disorders.

Duties include such varied tasks as performing tests before and after surgery, assisting surgeons, and speaking with patients and families. In addition, many cardiovascular technicians are medical imaging specialists whose work focuses on the human cardiovascular system.

In some medical practices, cardiovascular technicians will be asked to perform many of these and other tasks on a regular basis. These professionals play a vital part in diagnosing and tracking various heart and vascular conditions-work which can and does save thousands of lives every year. What’s more, given the strong growth expected in cardiovascular medicine over the next decade, employment prospects in this field look great.

Cardiovascular Technician Careers Path

The majority of cardiovascular technicians graduate from a two-year Associate’s program at a community college or private university. Many of these programs will offer specializations, such as invasive or noninvasive cardiology, and some four-year Bachelor’s programs have also appeared in recent years.

EKG technicians are an exception. They are often trained on the job, although most employers nevertheless prefer candidates with prior healthcare experience.

Although certification is not required in all states for cardiovascular technician careers, it can provide a leg up in the job market. Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) offer various certifications depending on specialization. Check with your state or prospective employer to learn more about licensing requirements.

Cardiovascular Technician Careers: Compatible Personality Traits

Meticulous, focused, careful, practical, consistent, observant, hard-working, technical, computer-savvy, caring.

Cardiovascular Technician Careers: Salary Expectations

According to the Department of Labor, the median annual salary for cardiovascular technicians and technologists is $47,010. Those with one to four years on the job can expect a median annual salary of $40,695, while those with five to nine years’ experience should expect a medial annual salary of $54,000.

Cardiovascular Technician Careers: Job Outlook

Because heart conditions are among the leading causes of illness in older Americans, the aging of America’s population means that the demand for cardiovascular care should increase significantly. This is good news for cardiovascular technologists and technicians: according to the Department of Labor, they can expect 26% percent job growth by 2016, an extremely promising rate of increase. It is safe to say this is a field which will offer very strong job opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Slightly Off the Footpath

Sources: bls.gov/oes/current/oes292031.htm; payscale.com/research/US/Job=Cardiovascular_Technician/Salary