Cardiovascular Tech

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Cardiac Cath Lab Technologist (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist); Cardiac Catheterization Technician; Cardiac Technician; Cardio Tech (Cardiovascular Technician); Cardiology Technician; Cardiopulmonary Technician; Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT); Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Tech); Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

Tasks

• 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.
• Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
• Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
• Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
• Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
• Prepare and position patients for testing.
• Attach 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.
• Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
• Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
• Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Medicine and Dentistry
• English Language
• Computers and Electronics
• Education and Training

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Science

Abilities

• Problem Sensitivity
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Near Vision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Information Ordering
• Perceptual Speed
• Flexibility of Closure
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Selective Attention
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Control Precision
• Category Flexibility
• Speed of Closure
• Time Sharing