Getting started in the field of cardiovascular technology

The number of positions available in health care fields is growing rapidly • including cardiovascular technology jobs.
Jobs in cardiovascular technology are those in which people assist physicians and other medical professionals in matters related to the heart and circulatory system. Unlike many positions in the field of medicine however, cardiovascular technology training can be completed in two years.

Those who work at cardiovascular technology careers assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions and disorders of the blood and circulation. Jobs in cardiovascular technology fall into one of three major areas: invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular technology.

One of the more interesting cardiovascular jobs is that of a cardiovascular technician. Students who undergo cardiovascular technology training in this particular field learn to administer electrocardiograms (EKGs) and stress tests as well as Holter monitors.

At cardiovascular technology schools, students also learn how to prepare patients for cardiac catheterization and balloon angioplasty. In cardiovascular careers, trained medical professionals monitor blood pressure and heart rate, using EKG equipment in the course of examinations as well as during major surgery.

Another interesting choice among the many cardiovascular technology jobs is that of diagnostic medical sonographer. These workers use ultrasound technology in order to conduct noninvasive examinations of the heart. The instrument scans the patient’s heart with sound waves, providing a picture of conditions inside the heart. As a sonographer, you would need to be able to explain the procedure to the patient, program the equipment and record results.

Cardiovascular technology education may take place online as well as at a traditional brick and mortar school. By preparing for a cardiovascular career over the Internet, you’ll be able to fit most of the coursework around your own schedule • and many courses can be taken at your own pace. Later, when you come to a point in your cardiovascular training that requires actual hands-on clinical experience, the online school can arrange this at a local hospital or other medical treatment facility.

Because the American population is growing older in general and because heart conditions are more common in older people, the job outlook for cardiovascular technology careers is promising. Cardiovascular technology jobs pay between $28,000 and $50,000 per year, depending on experience, location and job settings. About 75% of these jobs are in hospitals; the remainder are in the offices of physicians and other medical facilities. Cardiovascular training programs are offered online through many major accredited universities and colleges across the U.S. and Canada.