Cardiovascular Technologist-- A Responsible Cardiac Health Care Professional!

Cardiovascular technologists assist Cardiologists to check heart and blood vessel and monitor and record latest cardiovascular data. The cardiovascular technologist jobs mainly concentrated at catheterization labs of big hospitals. The cardiovascular technologist can select any of the specialized careers as summarized below.

A. Vascular Technology - when cardiovascular technologist selects specialization in Vascular Technology then his duty is to assist physicians to diagnose diseases that affect normal blood circulation in heart. The cardiovascular technologist takes specialization in vascular technology sometimes called as Vascular Technologist or a Vascular Sonographer.

B. Invasive Cardiology is another branch of cardiovascular technologist where blockages of the blood vessels and heart valves are treated without help of heart surgery. In this process, a small tube or catheter is inserted into a patient’s artery towards the patient’s heart. This procedure can identify and treat a blockage. Similarly, Angioplasty and Electrophysiology are grouped under invasive cardiology method. .

C. Echocardiography - A Cardiovascular Technologist opts on specialization in Echocardiography, will learn to perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) and sonograms of the heart. They are sometimes called as cardiographic, electrocardiograph or EKG technicians.

D. Noninvasive Cardiology is one of the special segments where Ultrasound wave is transmitted into the patient’s body and reflected echoes are recorded. The cardiovascular technologist analyzes record and detects the position affected by diseases and report is submitted to the supervising physician.

The Cardiovascular technologist assigns duties as per specialized qualification and interests. The main duties to be performed as listed below:-

A. Assist physicians with correct diagnose of cardiac checking.
B. Monitor cardiovascular equipment and confirm that it is properly operated during check up.
C. Handle patients skillfully during diagnostic procedures.
D. Install heavy equipment in right place.
E. Check pulse rate and assess blood flow in arteries and veins by hearing abnormalities to the vascular flow sounds.
F. Record information such as vascular blood flow, BP, oxygen intake, cerebral, peripheral and abdominal circulation.
G. Report check up results to the supervising physician.

To build cardiovascular technologist career, the aspirant will have to take admission of cardiovascular technologist programs. The duration of cardiovascular technologist education is 2-4 years to be certified either associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. The certificate is issued by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). The Noninvasive cardiovascular technologists will be certified as Registered Cardiovascular Technologists (RCS) and for Invasive cardiovascular technologists and Vascular cardiovascular technologists will qualified as Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists (RCIS) and Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) respectively.

The main employers of cardiovascular technologist jobs are hospitals and big nursing homes which generate 75 percent employment opportunities. The terms of employment is generally fixed 5 days or 40 Hrs in a week. The job prospects for a Cardiovascular Technologist are extremely good. The cardiovascular technologist salary depends on location, type of specialization and experience. The salary generally varies from $30,000 - $50,000 per annum.