Occupation · SOC 29-2031
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.
Median wage
$67,260
$37,890–$108,900
Projected growth
+2.9%
Slower than average
Annual openings
190
per year
Employed (US)
61,180
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
49 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingMonitoringOperations MonitoringSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEducation and Training
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareMedical softwareWeb platform development softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareSpreadsheet software
Representative 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.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.Prepare and position patients for testing.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.Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standard norms to identify abnormalities.Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.Observe ultrasound display screen and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, or cerebral circulation.Assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac or peripheral vascular treatments, such as implanting pacemakers or assisting with balloon angioplasties to treat blood vessel blockages.Assess cardiac physiology and calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.Inject contrast medium into patients' blood vessels.Transcribe, type, and distribute reports of diagnostic procedures for interpretation by physician.Set up 24-hour Holter and event monitors, scan and interpret tapes, and report results to physicians.Perform general administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or ordering supplies or equipment.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
EKG electrode placement — apply to patients' chests, arms, and legs under direct supervision in a clinical cardiology department following established attachment protocols.EKG machine operation — connect electrodes to leads and run the machine to obtain a readable tracing under technician supervision on a hospital cardiac unit.Patient identification and history — collect and record demographic information and basic medical history into the department's electronic health record system with supervisor review.Patient preparation and positioning — prepare and position patients on the exam table for cardiovascular testing following written departmental protocols.Testing procedure explanation — communicate step-by-step test instructions to patients using plain language to reduce anxiety before a routine EKG.Blood pressure monitoring — measure and document patients' blood pressure readings using standard equipment under direct oversight during supervised diagnostic procedures.Equipment settings — adjust basic EKG machine controls according to physician orders and printed protocol guides in a supervised clinical setting.Patient comfort observation — observe patients during testing and report visible signs of discomfort or distress to a supervising technologist immediately.Medical software navigation — enter test data and retrieve patient records using the department's cardiovascular medical software under guided instruction.Test result documentation — transcribe EKG readings and basic test outcomes accurately into patient records following established documentation standards.
developing
Multi-modality cardiovascular testing — conduct EKG, phonocardiogram, and basic echocardiogram procedures routinely with minimal oversight in an outpatient cardiovascular lab.Stress testing administration — set up and operate cardiac stress testing equipment according to physician orders and protocol, monitoring patient responses throughout the procedure.Real-time EKG interpretation support — monitor EKG tracings during diagnostic procedures and flag arrhythmias or abnormal readings to the attending physician in a timely manner.Patient history integration — obtain, review, and reconcile patient medical history with current test indications to ensure complete and accurate pre-procedure records.Electrode and lead troubleshooting — identify and resolve common lead connectivity or artifact issues on EKG equipment with limited guidance during live patient procedures.Blood pressure and heart rate surveillance — continuously track and document vital sign trends during therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, applying established alert thresholds.Patient safety monitoring — assess and respond to changes in patient condition during cardiovascular tests, communicating concerns clearly to clinical staff in a hospital setting.Equipment calibration and adjustment — independently adjust equipment controls and calibration settings to maintain signal quality across varying patient presentations.Test result recording and reporting — compile, format, and submit complete cardiovascular test results to physicians using the department's reporting software within required turnaround times.Time management across patient load — sequence and manage a scheduled caseload of cardiovascular tests efficiently to meet departmental throughput standards.
proficient
Advanced cardiovascular test execution — independently perform the full range of EKG, echocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and stress testing procedures across diverse and complex patient presentations in a tertiary care setting.Intraoperative monitoring — autonomously monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and EKG data during therapeutic cardiovascular procedures, making real-time clinical judgments about when to alert the physician.Complex patient communication — adapt test explanations and reassurance strategies for anxious, cognitively impaired, or non-English-speaking patients to ensure informed cooperation and procedural safety.Non-routine clinical decision-making — apply critical thinking and deductive reasoning to recognize and respond to unexpected patient responses or equipment anomalies during unsupervised cardiovascular studies.Comprehensive documentation management — maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready patient records including history, test parameters, tracings, and results across a full patient panel.Equipment performance oversight — evaluate equipment function across the cardiovascular lab, identify recurring technical issues, and coordinate maintenance or repair needs with biomedical engineering.Protocol application under variability — select and apply the appropriate test protocol when standard orders are ambiguous or patient conditions deviate from the norm, consulting physicians as warranted.Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with cardiologists, nurses, and administrative staff to integrate cardiovascular testing workflows into the broader patient care continuum.Data system proficiency — leverage medical database and reporting software to query historical test data, support clinical decision-making, and produce accurate trend reports.Patient safety leadership — serve as the primary safety monitor during stress testing procedures, executing emergency response steps independently when contraindicated responses occur.
advanced
Competency framework development — design and implement departmental competency standards and orientation curricula for new cardiovascular technologists across a multi-unit hospital system.Clinical protocol governance — lead the review, revision, and approval of cardiovascular testing protocols in alignment with current evidence-based guidelines and accreditation requirements.Quality assurance program leadership — establish and oversee a continuous quality improvement program for cardiovascular testing, analyzing error trends and driving corrective action at the departmental level.Staff performance development — mentor, evaluate, and coach developing and proficient technologists, providing structured feedback to close skill gaps and support career advancement.Technology adoption strategy — evaluate and champion the integration of new cardiovascular diagnostic technologies and medical software platforms, leading pilot programs and staff training initiatives.Interdepartmental workflow optimization — partner with cardiology leadership, nursing, and health informatics to redesign patient flow and testing workflows that reduce turnaround time and improve patient experience.Regulatory and accreditation compliance — ensure the cardiovascular lab maintains continuous compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, and relevant professional credentialing body standards.Budget and resource stewardship — manage equipment acquisition, supply inventory, and staffing resources for the cardiovascular testing department in alignment with organizational financial targets.Patient safety culture advancement — champion a culture of proactive risk identification and psychological safety, leading root-cause analyses of adverse events and near-misses across the cardiovascular service line.Strategic program planning — contribute to executive-level planning for cardiovascular service expansion, providing expert input on staffing models, equipment needs, and operational feasibility.
Also known as
99 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Diagnostic Imaging Helper, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Air Force 4R011C)Dental Assistant (Air Force 4Y0X1)ARRT Technologist (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Technologist)Catheterization Laboratory Technician (Cath Lab Tech)Cardiac TechnicianSonographerEcho TechnicianPulmonary Function TechnicianDiagnostic Imaging Journeyman, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R051B)Electrocardiographic TechnicianCardiopulmonary Technologist, ChiefElectrocardiogram Technician (EKG Tech)Invasive Cardiovascular TechnologistDiagnostic Imaging Helper (Air Force 4R011)Diagnostic Imaging (Air Force 4R0X1)Electrophysiology Technician (EP Tech)Pulmonary Function TechnologistEchocardiographerCardiac Catheterization Special Procedures TechnologistTravel Echo Technician (Travel Echocardiogram Technician)PerfusionistEEG Tech (Electroencephalogram Technician)Diagnostic Imaging Craftsman, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Air Force 4R071C)Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force 4Y011)Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force 4A091)Diagnostic Imaging Helper, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R011B)Holter Scanning TechnicianHealth Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force 4A071S)Cath Lab Radiology Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Radiology Technologist)Cardiovascular Radiologic TechnologistVascular TechnologistEchocardiography TechnologistCardiology TechnicianDiagnostic Imaging Superintendent (Air Force 4R090)Diagnostic Imaging Apprentice, Nuclear Medicine (Air Force 4R031A)Diagnostic Imaging Craftsman (Air Force 4R071)Electrocardiograph OperatorDiagnostic Imaging Craftsman, Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Air Force 4R071B)Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force 4Y051)Echocardiograph Technician