Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Career Snapshot
It takes a team of professionals to perform the everyday wonders of contemporary cardiac care. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians play an important role on that team.
Technologists are trained to assist physicians and prepare patients for operations like as cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, and open-heart surgery. They also keep track of the patients' blood pressure and heart rate. The complexities of these activities necessitate a high level of precision and concentration.
Technicians measure the electrical impulses produced by the heart, which is known as an electrocardiogram, or EKG. Technicians attach sensors to the patient before using one of several equipment to provide physicians with a printed record of the heart's beating. They may also perform stress testing.
The diligent work of these specialists, who are trained at hospitals and community colleges, is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of heart and blood vessel disorders. EKG technicians may also receive on-the-job training. People who want to work in these fields must be dependable, mechanically inclined, and able to follow thorough instructions.
The ability to put patients at ease is a huge plus. Because someone's life is on the line every hour of every day, the profession can be both stressful and gratifying.