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 ListeningSpeakingOperations MonitoringMonitoringCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingWritingOperation and ControlComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningTime ManagementScienceInstructingCoordinationLearning StrategiesQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationMathematicsTroubleshootingManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationRepairingEquipment SelectionManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityAdministrativePhysicsPsychologyAdministration and ManagementBiologyTelecommunicationsChemistryTherapy and CounselingCommunications and MediaMechanicalForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyEngineering and TechnologyLaw and GovernmentPhilosophy and TheologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingTransportationEconomics and AccountingGeographyHistory and ArcheologySales and MarketingFine ArtsDesignBuilding and ConstructionFood Production
Technology & tools
Database softwareDiagnostic image review softwareDigital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM-compatible image acquisition and integration software productsElectronic medical record EMR softwareHypertext preprocessor PHPInformation systems integration softwareInternet or intranet image distribution softwareJavaScriptMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordPractice management software PMSPyxis MedStation softwareSmart Digital Holter MonitorStructured data entry softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Assisting and Caring for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationWorking with ComputersGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsControlling Machines and ProcessesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsHandling and Moving ObjectsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsAnalyzing Data or InformationProcessing InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleTraining and Teaching OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesThinking CreativelyDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationCoaching and Developing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
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
58 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
ARRT Technologist (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Technologist)Cardiac Cath Lab Tech (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technician)Cardiac Cath Lab Technologist (Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist)Cardiac Catheterization Special Procedures TechnologistCardiac Catheterization TechnicianCardiac Catheterization TechnologistCardiac Monitor TechnicianCardiac TechnicianCardio Tech (Cardiovascular Technician)Cardiograph OperatorCardiographerCardiology TechnicianCardiology TechnologistCardiopulmonary TechnicianCardiopulmonary TechnologistCardiovascular Interventional TechnologistCardiovascular Invasive SpecialistCardiovascular Operating Room Technologist (CVOR Technologist)Cardiovascular Radiologic TechnologistCardiovascular Technologist (CVT)Cath Lab Radiological Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Radiological Technologist)Cath Lab Radiology Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Radiology Technologist)Cath Lab Tech (Catheterization Laboratory Technologist)Catheterization Laboratory Technician (Cath Lab Tech)Computed Tomography Technologist (CTT)Echo TechnicianEcho Technologist (Echocardiogram Technologist)EchocardiographerEchocardiography TechnologistEEG Tech (Electroencephalogram Technician)Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Tech)Electrocardiograph OperatorElectrocardiograph TechnicianElectrocardiographic TechnicianElectrophysiology Technician (EP Tech)Holter Scanning TechnicianInvasive Cardiovascular TechnologistLaboratory Technician (Lab Technician)Laboratory Technologist (Lab Technologist)Medical Technologist (MT)