Cardiovascular Technologist Schools
Cardiovascular Technologists assist physicians with the examination and treatment of problems stemming from problems with the heart and vascular system. Cardiovascular tech's often specialize in either invasive or noninvasive procedures. Students who choose to specialize in invasive procedures are also called cardiology tech's. To learn more about the job duties and how to find cardiovascular technologist schools, read below.
Cardiovascular Technologist Job Description
Cardiovascular tech's perform a variety of tasks depending upon their level of skill and their specializations, while assisting physicians with monitoring and performing procedures aimed at correcting problems with the heart and blood vessels. The following are some common job duties for this position. Keep in mind that those trained to assist with invasive procedures will have a wider set of duties than those who only perform non-invasive testing:
- Prepare patients for catheterization, positioning them properly on examination tables, shaving, cleaning, and sometimes administering anesthetics.
- Assist physician in determinging where blockages may exist in the vessels that pump directly into and out of the heart.
- Assist with balloon angioplasty procedures to open up blocked blood vessels or heart valves
- Work with physician during electrophysiology tests, which locate abnormal electrial impulses in the heart tissue
- Perform echocardiography testing
- Monitor patient heart rates and record information.
- Review physician interpretations and patient files
- Operate testing equipment while explaining procedures to patients.
Cardiovascular Technologist Specializations
The following is a list of specializations within the field of cardiovascular technology. A cardiovascular tech may be trained and educated on multiples functions and procedures and this will help to make that individual a more desirable job candidate with higher earning potential. Read the descriptions below to familiarize yourself with these functions and roles
Invasive vs. Non-Invasive Procedures?
In general, an invasive procedure is one in which there is more than simply imaging being performed. Invasive procedures involve probing or inserting devices and substances into the body in order to perform imaging and treatment procedures such as cardiac catheterization or balloon angioplasty.
EKG Technicians - Cardiographic Technicians
EKG technicians perform tests using electrocardiography (also known as EKG's) for stress testing. They also perform holter monitor procedures tracing electrical impulses from the heart. This involves attaching electrodes the the patient and gathering accurate readings from the equipment. Once the procedure is done, it is forwarded to the physician for analysis. Learn more about EKG technician training.
Cardiology Technologists
Cardiology technologists perform invasive procedures, assisting physicians with cardiac catheterization. Catherization involves threading a small tube, known as a catheter, through an artery. In the case of cardiology tech's, it is commonly inserted through a spot on the patients groin, which leads up to the heart. The goal of the procedure is to determine if there are any blockages or irregularities in flow. If blockages are located, another procedure known as angioplasty may be performed. The cardiology technologist assists the physician as a catheter with a balloon is insterted into the artery and then used to expand the blocked area.
Echocardiographers - Also known as Cardiac Sonographers
Echocardiographers perform non-invasive procedures with the help of ultrasound technology to examine heart functioning. They can examine the heart chambers, vessels, and valve function. The images they capture are referred to as echocardiograms and are used to determine if the valves of the heart are opening and closing properly and other metrics such as the velocity of flow in and out of the heart chambers.
Vascular Technologists
Vascular tech's assist physicians with examining problems related to vascular circulation in the body. They perform tasks involving evaluating pulses and blood flow within the arteries and veins. They use special equipment to listen to the flow and seek out abnormalties in these sounds. They also use ultrasound technology to record information such as blood flow, pressure, oxygen content, outer circulation in the periphery of the body, circulation in the brain, and more.