Occupational Description
The cardiovascular technologist performs diagnostic examinations and therapeutic interventions of the heart and/or blood vessels at the request or direction of a physician in one or more of the following disciplines:
- Invasive Cardiology-Cardiac Catheterization
- Invasive Cardiology-Cardiac Electrophysiology Technology
- Noninvasive Cardiology-Adult and Pediatric Echocardiography
- Noninvasive Peripheral Vascular Study-Vascular Ultrasound
Through assisting, sampling and/or recording, the cardiovascular technologist creates an easily definable foundation of data from which an anatomic and/or physiologic diagnosis can be made.
Job Description
The cardiovascular technologist is qualified by specific didactic, laboratory, and clinical technological education to perform and/or assist in various invasive and non-invasive cardiovascular procedures. The role of the cardiovascular technologist may include, but is not limited to (1) reviewing and/or recording pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data; (2) performing appropriate clinical procedures and obtaining a record of anatomical, pathological, and/or physiological data; (3) exercising discretion and judgment in the performance of cardiovascular diagnostic and therapeutic services; and (4) participating in interventional cardiovascular catheterization and/or cardiac electrophysiology procedures.
Employment Characteristics
Cardiovascular technologists may provide their services to patients in any medical setting under the supervision of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (MD or DO). The procedures performed by the cardiovascular technologist may be found in, but are not limited to, one of the following general settings: (1) invasive cardiovascular catheterization laboratories; (2) cardiac electrophysiology laboratories; (3) noninvasive cardiovascular laboratories, including adult and pediatric echocardiography laboratories; and (4) noninvasive peripheral vascular study-vascular ultrasound laboratories.
Educational Programs
Length. Programs may be from 6 months to 4 years, depending on student qualifications and number of areas of diagnostic evaluation selected.
Prerequisites: As determined by the educational institution.
Curriculum. Curricula of accredited programs include didactic instruction, laboratory experiences, and clinical instruction. Suggested areas of basic instruction and core curriculum include an introduction to the field of cardiovascular technology, patient care assessment, general and/or applied sciences, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, cardiovascular hemodynamics and operation of medical instruments.