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Cardiovascular
Technologists perform diagnostic and therapeutic examinations of the heart
and blood vessels under the direction of a licensed physician. They may
specialize in invasive cardiology, noninvasive cardiology, or noninvasive
peripheral vascular study. Cardiovascular technologists are responsible
for reviewing and recording patient medical histories and other supporting
clinical data. They also prepare patients for testing by cleaning and
shaving areas of skin and administering anesthesia. Through their testing
and sampling, cardiovascular technologists compile a foundation of data
that is interpreted by physicians in order to make a correct anatomic,
physiologic, and pathologic diagnosis for each patient. During these
procedures they also monitor the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate
and are trained to react to any emergency situation that should arise.
Cardiovascular technologists must be able to use their discretion and
judgment in the performance of their diagnostic and therapeutic duties.
Individuals interested in this health profession should be able to work
well under stress and be able to adapt well to changing situations. They
should also enjoy working with high-tech equipment that demands precision
handling.
Work Environment:
The majority of
cardiovascular technologist work in hospitals, but other employment
opportunities exist in physicians’ offices, educational facilities,
medical centers, noninvasive cardiovascular laboratories,
electrophysiology laboratories, and mobile diagnostic units.
High School Preparation:
High school
students interested in a career as a cardiovascular technologist should
take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology,
health occupations/medical professions education, computer skills,
English, algebra, and geometry.
College Requirements:
Individuals
interested in a career in cardiovascular technology must have a high
school diploma or the equivalent. Programs vary in length from one to four
years depending on previous clinical experience and number of areas of
diagnostic evaluation selected: invasive cardiology, noninvasive
cardiology, or noninvasive peripheral vascular study.
Graduates from an
accredited program are eligible to obtain professional certification in
cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, vascular ultrasound, and
cardiographic techniques from Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
Cardiac sonographers and vascular technologists also may obtain
certification from the American Registry
of Diagnostic
Medical Sonographers.
Students
interested in cardiovascular technology should contact schools for
information on admission and course of study.
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study click here.
Career Outlook:
Employment
opportunities for cardiovascular technologists are expected to grow faster
than the average for all other occupations. There will be an expansion of
between 20% - 35% in job opportunities over the next ten years. The
rapidly aging baby-boom generation will cause most of the growth in this
sector because they will need more diagnostic work as they get older.
There is also added emphasis on cardiac diagnostic procedures due to the
fact that heart related illnesses are responsible for a large number of
deaths each year. There will also be job openings due to current
cardiovascular professionals retiring or leaving the field for other
reasons.
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Salary:
Average Annual
Salary
$40,500
Salary Range
$26,700-$50,800
Professional Organizations:
Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
35
East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970
Chicago, IL
60601-2208
Phone: (312) 553-9355
Fax: (312) 553-9616
www.caahep.org
Society of
Vascular Ultrasound
4601 Presidents
Drive, Suite 260
Lanham, MD 20706
Phone: (301)
459-7550
Fax: (301)
459-5651
www.svunet.org
Alliance of
Cardiovascular Professionals
4356 Bonney Road,
#103
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-1200
Phone: (757) 497-1225
Fax: (757)
497-0010
www.acp-online.org |
