Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

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.

Sample of reported job titles:
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist, Cardiac Catheterization Technician, Cardiac Technician, Cardiology Technician, Cardiopulmonary Technician, Cardiovascular Technician, Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT), Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Tech), Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
  • Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
  • Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
  • Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
  • 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.

Technology Skills

  • Data base user interface and query software:Database software
    ,
    Structured data entry software
  • Information retrieval or search software:Information systems integration software
  • Internet browser software:Web browser software
  • Inventory management software:Pyxis MedStation software
  • Medical software:Diagnostic image review software
    ,
    Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM-compatible image acquisition and integration software products
    ,
    Electronic medical record EMR software
    ,
    Internet or intranet image distribution software
    ,
    MEDITECH software
    ,
    Practice management software PMS
    ,
    Smart Digital Holter Monitor

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

  • Assisting and Caring for Others:Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Documenting/Recording Information:Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events:Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
  • Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
  • Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
  • Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
  • Calculate numerical data for medical activities.

Work Context

  • Contact With Others:94% responded"Constant contact with others"
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:89% responded"Every day"
  • Physical Proximity:89% responded"Very close (near touching)"
  • Face-to-Face Discussions:84% responded"Every day"
  • Work With Work Group or Team:80% responded"Extremely important"

Worker Requirements

Skills

  • Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring:Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service:Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Medicine and Dentistry:Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
  • 63%
    Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
  • 13%
    Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
  • 10%
    High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
  • 8%
    Some College Courses

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Problem Sensitivity:The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Interests

  • Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Social:Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Values

  • Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
  • Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Work Styles

  • Concern for Others:Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
  • Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  • Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  • Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Stress Tolerance:Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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