This article focuses on becoming a cardiovascular technologist.

In addition, we’ll look at the job possibilities in the specialty, average annual earnings, and other vital details. But before we do that, let’s review the responsibilities of these experts.

Cardiovascular Technician Schooling

Cardiovascular technology is one of the many careers you can pursue in healthcare.

The field is rewarding and allows practitioners to combine their technology and healthcare knowledge. That way, they can handle numerous tasks for treating and diagnosing heart and blood vessel issues.

If you’re interested in this profession, you should know the steps to becoming one.

What is a Cardiovascular Technologist? – Roles

An expert in this field works in the cardiac CATH lab.

They perform various complex procedures that involve the heart. These include working with defibrillators, stent implants, pacemakers, and diagnosing heart conditions.

Moreover, cardiovascular technologists prepare patients for procedures, answer questions, take their medical histories, and keep track of clients’ records.

Places where these experts serve include the hospital, outpatient cardiac catheterization lab, and emergency room. They assist patients amid a heart attack.

How To Become A Cardiac Technologist

Several routes exist to grow into an expert in this field.

However, most demand candidates pass through a formal education, earn certification or license, and then secure a job. Let’s consider these procedures separately.

  • Cardiovascular Technologist Education Requirements

Going through formal education is mandatory for aspiring candidates. There are three academic routes you can take to enter the field.

They include a certificate, diploma, or degree in cardiovascular technology. Before you can qualify for these educational qualifications, you’ll need to earn a high school diploma or GED.

A secondary education will give you a solid foundation for your career pursuits. You’ll offer biology, physics, physiology, math, and other science-related courses.

  • Associate Degree

An associate degree is the primary academic essential to enter the field of cardiovascular tech. Most employers around the country accept this qualification.

However, obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution certified by CAAHEP is preferable. Such credentials will qualify you for advanced roles in the industry.

Meanwhile, it takes around two years to finish an associate degree in this field.

Coursework comprises classroom instruction, laboratory work, and a year of specialist tuition. You can specialize in invasive, noninvasive, echo, and non-inversive vascular cardio technology.

Besides classroom instruction, you’ll also gain Training in the field in a hospital, imaging lab, or physician’s office under the guidance of an experienced technologist.

  • Get Certified or Licensed

Most states require cardiovascular technologists to acquire a certification and license to work unrestricted.

However, some forms may not demand such credentials from you. You’ll be asked to meet certain conditions to obtain a state permit, including taking a professional test.

Similarly, certification may not be necessary to enter the field. But most employers will demand that you hold such credentials.

It will demonstrate your skills and knowledge of cardiovascular technology. In addition, it will enhance your job chances and set you apart from other applicants.

Basic Life Support (BLS), ACS, CCT, CRAT, RCCS, RCES, and RCIS certifications can be acquired.

Others are VS, VIR, RRA, S, MRI, CT, MSKS, RPhS, RVS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RMS, and more. All these attestations are provided by recognized non-governmental agencies such as CCI, ARRT, and ARDMS.

Before placing a hand on this certificate, you must satisfy some conditions. These include taking the qualification exams and finishing the required schoolwork.

You’ll also be required to earn a degree or certificate in the field and gain work experience in a clinical setting.

  • Get a Job

The next step after satisfying the academic and certification essentials is to secure a job. Your odds of getting work in this field are high, considering the rapid growth of the profession.

If you don’t have a job immediately after graduation, consider going for an internship. Several facilities, such as the hospital, will be willing to take you.

You can also volunteer or take entry-level jobs in healthcare facilities. You’ll gain more experience in the field. Additionally, you’ll find it easy to advance your education.

While hunting for a job, you must create your resume and cover letter to apply for suitable positions. You’re to include all relevant experience and education from an internship.

Also, align your resume and cover letter to the standard of each job you apply for. By doing so, you’ll increase your odds of getting employed.

Duration of the Cardiovascular Technology Program

It is crucial to know how long it takes to grow into an expert in this field. This will help you make the right choice of program.

Generally, you can take on this occupation without advanced certificates. With your associate degree, you can get started. Such cardiovascular tech programs typically take two years to finish when taken full-time.

But if you desire advanced roles, you must obtain an undergrad, master’s, or doctoral course in cardiovascular technology.

A bachelor’s degree takes four years, while master’s programs last for two years. Postgraduate studies in the field can be finished within three to seven years, depending on your choice of entry.

Salary of a Cardiovascular Technologist

Practitioners in this field receive handsome salaries compared to other careers. Based on the statistics from BLS, the median wage of a cardiovascular technologist is around $29,710 to $94,370 per year.

However, some key elements can influence the pay of these workers. They include your geographical location, level of education, years of experience, and work settings.

Those who receive the highest salary work in outpatient centers.

Available Jobs for Cardiovascular Technologists

As an expert in this field, you can be open to several job chances.

However, some positions require applicants to have specialized education and experience. Some jobs you can explore include nursing assistant, lab assistant, medical technologist, ultrasound tech, and more.

Essential Skills for Cardiovascular Technology

To succeed in your practice, you must have specific, specialized skills.

Listening, critical thinking, problem-solving, and excellent communication competencies enable workers to devise innovative solutions or unique approaches to various industry issues.

Moreover, you can identify problems, create multiple potential solutions, review all the information, and implement the best ones with minimal consequences.

Cardiovascular technology is a specialty that has grown in popularity in recent years. You can see the appropriate steps to expand into a technologist.

You can see possible places you can work, open positions, and how much you’ll receive as a salary.