Cardiovascular Technician
Medical Assistant & Health Sciences
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to administer EKG and ECG diagnostic examinations and report results to the treatment team.
What Cardiovascular Technicians Do
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians and nurses, to administer EKG and ECG diagnostic examinations and report results to the treatment team.
Common Tasks
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- 1Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- 2Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- 3Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- 4Supervise laboratory sessions.
- 5Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
What You'll Learn
Types of Cardiovascular Technicians
Work Environment
Locations
- • Hospitals
- • Cardiology clinics
- • Outpatient diagnostic centers
- • Cardiac catheterization labs
- • Physician offices
Schedule
Most roles follow a set schedule, but hospital-based jobs may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, or on-call coverage with high time pressure during procedures.
Physical Demands
Work involves a mix of standing and sitting, frequent handling of equipment, and repetitive motions while positioning leads and assisting with tests. Bending and twisting can be common, especially when working around beds and procedure tables.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 354,300 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
An aging population and rising rates of heart disease increase the need for diagnostic cardiac testing like EKGs, stress tests, and monitoring. Expanded outpatient cardiology services can also drive more testing volume.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Direct patient impact through timely diagnosis and monitoring
- • Work in a fast-growing healthcare field with transferable skills
- • Variety of testing tasks (EKG, stress testing, monitoring)
- • Clear pathways to specialization and advancement (e.g., cath lab, echo)
- • Typically structured work routines
Cons
- • High time pressure and need for accuracy with critical patients
- • Physical strain from repetitive motions and awkward positioning
- • Exposure to bodily fluids and infection-control requirements
- • Emotional stress when working with anxious or unstable patients
- • May require weekends, holidays, or on-call shifts in hospitals
Common Questions About the Cardiovascular Technician Trade
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