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Cardiovascular Technicians

How Much Does a Cardiovascular Technician Make? | Cardiovascular Technician Salary

The median yearly salary for cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists was $49,410 in May 2010 (the most recent data available). This median salary is simply the salary where half the employees earned more and half earned a lesser amount. Employees in the lower 10 percent had an annual salary less than $26,610, and those employees in the top 10 percent earned greater then $77,020.

What Does a Cardiovascular Technician Do? | Job Description

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is one of U.S. News and World Report "100 Best Jobs of 2013." Cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists use imaging technology to help physicians diagnose cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments in patients. They also help physicians treat problems with cardiac and vascular systems, such as blood clots.

Cardiology technologists monitor patients’ heart rates and help diagnose and treat problems with patients’ hearts. The procedures can be invasive (such as inserting catheters) or noninvasive (such as using ultrasound equipment to take images of the heart). An EKG, or electrocardiogram, monitors the heart's performance through electrodes attached to a patient’s chest, arms, and legs while the patient is lying on a table. To test a physically active patient, the cardiac technologist uses a Holter monitor or stress test.

How to Become a Cardiovascular Technician?

There are several ways to become a cardiovascular technologist or technician or vascular technologist. Although some technologists and technicians are trained on the job, the most common path is formal education that leads to an associate's degree. Many employers also require professional certification.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists earn various certifications, depending on their clinical focus. To take the certification exam, technologists and technicians usually must complete an accredited education program.

Cardiovascular Technician Classes and Courses | Degree Programs

High school students who are interested in cardiovascular and vascular technology should take courses in anatomy, physiology, and mathematics. Most cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists get an associate's degree by completing a 2-year community college program. However, some 4-year programs that lead to bachelor’s degree are available at colleges and universities.

One-year certificate programs are also available from community colleges. Certificate programs are often helpful to those who have already received education or training in related healthcare jobs. Some technologists graduate with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology or nursing and then are trained on the job. Employers prefer candidates who have a degree or certificate from an accredited institute or hospital program.

Cardiovascular Technician Jobs | Who is Hiring?

Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists is expected to grow by 29 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. As imaging technology evolves, medical facilities will use it to replace more invasive, costly procedures. Technological advances and less expensive equipment now allow more procedures to be done outside of hospitals.

Although hospitals remain the primary employer of cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists, employment is expected to grow more rapidly in physicians' offices and in medical and diagnostic laboratories. Employment in these healthcare settings is expected to increase because of a shift toward outpatient care whenever possible.

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