Cardiovascular Technician Training

• Have mechanical aptitude to operate various types of specialized and/or computerized diagnostic equipment
• Be articulate in order to communicate effectively with physicians and patients
• Stay calm when working with stressed patients under stressful and possibly life-threatening situations
• Be reliable and dependable
• Be able to cope with the physical demands of the job, which includes long hours of standing or sitting
• Possess the ability to move and operate heavy diagnostic equipment

Some of the occupational risks include neck and back strain, eyestrain, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Stress due to dealing with patients who are seriously ill is likely to occur. Some exposure to radiation is another risk involved in this occupation, particularly with sonography.

Program Length & Requirements

The majority of cardiovascular technicians have graduated from a two-year educational program, although today there are more students graduating with a four-year degree. A smaller percentage of technicians are exclusively trained by physicians or labs that employ them. About 75% of cardiovascular technicians are employed by hospitals. Anyone interested in this field should check with their state medical board for requirements and then enroll in an accredited training program or educational institution that offers cardiovascular technician specialties and courses.

Education includes one year of core courses followed by another year of specialized instruction in any of three areas of specialization. People who are qualified in any other allied health profession need only one year of specialized instruction.

Cardiovascular technology has three areas of specialization:

1. Cardiology Technician

The cardiovascular technologist will do all prepping of the patient prior to the procedures, assist the cardiologist during surgery, and complete follow-up after surgery. Performing invasive cardiology procedures, these specialists assist physicians with:

• Heart catheterization
• Open-heart surgeries like coronary artery bypass surgery or stent insertion
• Balloon angioplasty
• Electrophysiology testing

2. Vascular Technology

Vascular technologists deal with circulation disorders, and use ultrasound instruments to record such things as pulses and blood flow in the body. Poor or absent circulation, which can be indicative of impending heart attack or stroke, can be pinpointed by implementing these tests. Vascular technologists will assist physicians during surgery by checking and recording:

• Blood pressure
• Oxygen saturation
• Peripheral circulation
• Vascular blood flow
• Cerebral circulation
• Abdominal circulation

3. Echocardiography

Electrocardiographers perform EKGs and must pay close attention to technical information garnered by electronic equipment. EKGs record:

• The heart's rhythm over time
• Stress tests (on a treadmill or for diabetics, seated and medicated with drugs to increase heart rate)
• Sonograms ('pictures' of heart chambers and blood vessels)
• Holter monitor testing (a portable EKG machine that records the heart's rhythm over a 24-hour period or longer)

Accredited schools will have received approval from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology or from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professions. There are only about 30 accredited programs in the United States.

Certification

Certification and licensing are required by some states, while others do not require either. Most employers prefer certification, at the very least. Certifications are available from two agencies:

The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS):

• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
• Registered Vascular Technologist

The Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI):

• Certified Cardiographer Technician
• Registered Cardiac Sonographer
• Registered Vascular Specialist
• Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist

The employment outlook for cardiovascular technology is excellent due to an aging population that will require more preventative, diagnostic, and surgical cardiovascular medical treatment. Most cardiovascular technicians work a five-day work week, while others especially those working in catheterization labs, may work longer hours.