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Are you good at science? Have an interest in helping those with health issues? You may find that becoming a cardiovascular technologist is right for you.

Working in the field of cardiovascular technology offers you the opportunity to assist doctors in diagnosing patients with heart and blood vessel issues.

Job:

There are four major categories of cardiovascular technologist jobs:

• Cardiology – the study of the heart by using invasive as well as non-invasive procedures
• Echocardiography – the study of the heart utilizing ultrasound technology
• Electrocardiography – the diagnosis of patients utilizing stress tests and EKGs
• Vascular technology – the study of blood vessels and analyzing abnormalities

Cardiovascular techs prepare patients for testing and explain the procedures to them; they operate the machinery and perform physical exams as well.

The specific procedures a technician will perform vary depending upon his or her specialty.

Salary:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average cardio technologist earned approximately $47,000 per year in 2008. Most jobs in this field will pay between $32,800 and $61,580 annually. When you are just beginning your career as a cardio tech, you can expect to make somewhere around $25,510; this will increase as you gain experience and training.

Education:

To achieve a job as a cardio technologist, you will be required to get a minimum of an associate’s degree. Your coursework will include core classes (English, math, etc.) and a year of specialized training and instruction under one of the four major categories listed above. An EKG technologist position, however, requires no degree; a job in this field will have on-the-job training. Certification as a cardio technologist is optional in the U.S.

Career:

Jobs in the field of cardio technology are expected to grow faster than average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many clinics and hospitals will offer technologist jobs with increasing levels of responsibility, so technicians can move up in rank as they gain experience.

Associations:

Associations and groups for cardio technologists include the following:

• Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals
• American Heart Association
• American Society of Echocardiography
• Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals.