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Cardiovascular Technologist

Cardiovascular technologists assist physicians to diagnose and treat cardiac (heart) and vascular (blood) diseases.

This occupation is expected to grow faster than average through the year 2012.

Demand will increase as the population ages since older people generally have more heart problems. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in the US.

About 75% of the jobs are in hospitals.

 

How to get become a Cardiovascular Technologist

 

Here's what you need to know:

1) What is a Cardiovascular Technologist?

2) Requirements

3) Certifications

4) Salary Potential

5) Cardiovascular Technologist Programs and Schools



1) What is a Cardiovascular Technologist?

As mentioned earlier, they assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and vascular (blood vessel) diseases.

They may actually specialize in one of 3 areas of practice:

  1. Invasive cardiology
  2. Echocardiography
  3. Vascular technology

 

Cardiovascular technicians who specialize in electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, and Holter monitors are known as cardiographic or Electrocardiograph technicians.

 

  1. Invasive Cardiology

    Invasive Cardiovascular technologists assist physicians with cardiac catheterization procedures in which a small tube, or catheter, is wound through a patient?s blood vessel from a spot on the patient?s leg into the heart. The procedure can determine whether a blockage exists in the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. The procedure also can help to diagnose other problems. Part of the procedure may involve balloon angioplasty, which can be used to treat blockages of blood vessels or heart valves without the need for heart surgery. Cardiology technologists assist physicians as they insert a catheter with a balloon on the end to the point of the obstruction.


2.  Echocardiograph

    Echocardiograph Technologist perform non-invasive tests using ultrasound equipment. This procedure sends high-frequency sound waves into areas of the patient?s body and then processes reflected echoes of the sound waves to form an image. Technologists view and record the image for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. They also explain the procedure to patients, record any additional medical history the patient relates, select appropriate equipment settings, and change the patient?s position as necessary.

 

3.     Vascular

        Vascular Technologist assist physicians in the diagnosis of circulation disorders. They use ultrasound to record vascular blood flow, blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, cerebral circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation. Many of these tests are performed during or immediately after surgery.

 

2) Requirements

Here are some basic requirements:

 

3) Certification

 

Cardiovascular Credentialing International offers and administers examinations for the following Credentials:

 

  1. RCIS: Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
  2. RCS: Registered Cardiac Sonographer
  3. RVS: Registered Vascular Specialist
  4. CCT: Certified Cardiographic Technician

Registry Level Credentials (RCIS, RCS, RVS) require a two-part examination. CCI-registry credentials are awarded to those applicants who successfully complete the Cardiovascular Science exam (or are granted exemption from) and the Registry examination in the specialty in which you are requesting credentialing.

There are 3 ways to gain exemption from the Cardiovascular Science examinations:

1) Hold an ?active?CCI Registry Level credential: RCIS, RCS, RVS;

or

2) Have earned at least one of the following credentials: BTEC, DO, PA, RDCS, RN, RRT MD, RT(R) or RVT, and they must be current for the year in which you apply or expire at a later date; or

3) Have graduated from a Cardiovascular Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

 



4) Salary Potential

Salaries vary depending on location and size of the business and the experience level of the individual.

The median hourly salary for a Cardiovascular Technologist is approximately $21.

The average annual salary was reported to be approximately $45,000/year.

5) Cardiovascular Technology Programs and Schools

Most people start out by completing  a 2 year program at a community college.

The first year is dedicated to core courses and is followed by a year of specialized instruction in either invasive, noninvasive cardiovascular, or noninvasive vascular technology.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the largest programmatic/specialized accreditor in the health sciences field.

CAAHEP reviews and assesses the quality of institutions, programs and services to make sure that they meet the required standards.

If accreditation is important to you, please verify the status of the school prior to enrolling.

 

Cardiovascular Technology programs and schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):

 

California

Grossmont College - El Cajon, CA

Naval School of Health Sciences - San Diego - San Diego, CA

Orange Coast College - Costa Mesa, CA

Florida

Edison Community College - Ft Myers, FL

Santa Fe Community College - Gainesville, FL

Georgia

Augusta Technical College - Augusta, GA

Kentucky

Spencerian College - Louisville, KY

Louisiana

Louisiana State Univ Med Ctr - New Orleans - New Orleans, LA

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans, LA

Maryland

Howard Community College - Columbia, MD

Michigan

Carnegie Institute - Troy, MI

Minnesota

Northland Community and Technical College-East Grand Forks - East Grand Forks, MN

Nebraska

BryanLGH College of Health Sciences - Lincoln, NE

New Jersey

Morristown Memorial Hospital - Morristown, NJ

University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - Newark, NJ

New York

Molloy College - Rockville Centre, NY

Ohio

University of Toledo - Toledo, OH

Pennsylvania

Geisinger Health System - Danville, PA

Geneva College - Beaver Falls, PA

Gwynedd-Mercy College - Gwynedd Valley, PA

Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences - Lancaster, PA

South Carolina

Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals - Columbia, SC

South Dakota

Southeast Technical Institute - Sioux Falls, SD

Tennessee

Northeast State Technical Comm College - Blountville, TN

Texas

El Centro College - Dallas, TX

US Army Medical Dept Center and School - Ft Sam Houston, TX

Virginia

Sentara School of Health Professions - Chesapeake, VA

Washington

Spokane Community College - Spokane, WA

Wisconsin

Milwaukee Area Technical College - Milwaukee, WI