Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

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Job Outlook:
Much faster than average
Education: Associate's degree
Salary
High: $102,000.00
Average: $65,490.00
Hourly
Average: $31.49

What they do:

Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.

On the job, you would:

  • Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
  • Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians work closely with patients, including those who may be in pain, and must be able to explain the procedure in an understandable way. They also must convey information clearly when discussing images with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.

Detail oriented. Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients. They also must pay attention to the images they produce, because healthy and unhealthy areas may be subtle.

Hand–eye coordination. To get quality images, diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must accurately move equipment on the patient’s body in response to what they see on the screen.

Physical stamina. Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians stand for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.

Technical skills. Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments.

Personality

A3 Your Strengths Importance

Characteristics of this Career

92% Concern for Others  -  Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
90% Attention to Detail  -  Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
90% Cooperation  -  Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
88% Dependability  -  Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
86% Stress Tolerance  -  Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
85% Self-Control  -  Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
85% Integrity  -  Job requires being honest and ethical.
81% Initiative  -  Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
81% Adaptability/Flexibility  -  Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
77% Independence  -  Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
75% Achievement/Effort  -  Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
75% Social Orientation  -  Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
72% Persistence  -  Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
72% Analytical Thinking  -  Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
67% Leadership  -  Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Strengths

72% Realistic  -  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
72% Investigative  -  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
72% Social  -  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Values of the Work Environment

83% Relationships  -  Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
83% Support  -  Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
67% Independence  -  Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Aptitude

A3 Your Strengths Importance

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

78% Problem Sensitivity  -  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
75% Near Vision  -  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
75% Oral Expression  -  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
75% Oral Comprehension  -  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
66% Speech Clarity  -  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
66% Deductive Reasoning  -  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
66% Inductive Reasoning  -  The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
66% Speech Recognition  -  The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Job Details

Responsibilities
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Maintain sterile operative fields.
Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Test patient heart or lung functioning.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Record patient medical histories.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Repair medical facility equipment.
Train medical providers.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Administer medical substances for imaging or other procedures.
Monitor video displays of medical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Calculate numerical data for medical activities.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
Test patient heart or lung functioning.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

99% Contact With Others  -  How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
97% Physical Proximity  -  To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
94% Face-to-Face Discussions  -  How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
92% Importance of Being Exact or Accurate  -  How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
91% Work With Work Group or Team  -  How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
90% Indoors, Environmentally Controlled  -  How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
85% Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls  -  How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
84% Telephone  -  How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
83% Frequency of Decision Making  -  How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
83% Time Pressure  -  How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
82% Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results  -  What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
81% Deal With External Customers  -  How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
80% Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets  -  How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
78% Importance of Repeating Same Tasks  -  How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
77% Structured versus Unstructured Work  -  To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
76% Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions  -  How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
75% Electronic Mail  -  How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
74% Exposed to Disease or Infections  -  How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
73% Freedom to Make Decisions  -  How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
69% Consequence of Error  -  How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
68% Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People  -  How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
66% Coordinate or Lead Others  -  How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Tasks & Values

89% Assisting and Caring for Others  -  Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
87% Documenting/Recording Information  -  Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
83% Working with Computers  -  Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
79% Getting Information  -  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
78% Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events  -  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
75% Controlling Machines and Processes  -  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
74% Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates  -  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
73% Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards  -  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
73% Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge  -  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
72% Handling and Moving Objects  -  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
71% Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials  -  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
70% Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships  -  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
69% Performing for or Working Directly with the Public  -  Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
69% Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings  -  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
69% Analyzing Data or Information  -  Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
68% Processing Information  -  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
67% Making Decisions and Solving Problems  -  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
66% Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others  -  Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

What Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Do

Diagnostic medical sonographer looking at an image on a computer
Diagnostic medical sonographers use high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body.

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians operate special equipment to create images or conduct tests. They work closely with physicians and surgeons, who view the images and test results to assess and diagnose medical conditions.

Duties

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians typically do the following:

  • Prepare patients by explaining the procedure to them and answering their questions
  • Prepare exam rooms and maintain diagnostic imaging equipment
  • Properly situate patients for imaging
  • Operate equipment to obtain diagnostic images or to conduct tests
  • Review images or test results to check for quality and adequate coverage of the areas needed for diagnoses
  • Analyze results for abnormalities and other diagnostic information and provide a summary of findings to physicians
  • Record findings and keep track of patients’ records

Diagnostic medical sonographers specialize in creating images, known as sonograms or ultrasounds, that depict the body’s organs and tissues. Sonography is often the first imaging test performed when disease is suspected.

Sonography uses high-energy sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. The sonographer uses an instrument called a transducer to scan parts of the patient’s body that are being examined. The transducer emits pulses of sound that bounce back, causing echoes. The echoes form an image on a computer that physicians use for diagnosis.

The following are examples of types of medical sonographers:

  • Abdominal sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s abdominal cavity and nearby organs, such as the kidney, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen. Abdominal sonographers may assist with biopsies or other examinations requiring ultrasound guidance.
  • Breast sonographers specialize in imaging a patient’s breast tissue. Sonography can confirm the presence of cysts and tumors that may have been detected by the patient, the physician, or a mammogram. Breast sonographers assist with procedures that track tumors and help to provide information that will aid physicians in making decisions about treatment options for breast cancer patients.
  • Cardiac sonographers (echocardiographers) specialize in imaging a patient’s heart. They use ultrasound equipment to examine the heart’s chambers, valves, and vessels. An echocardiogram may be performed either while the patient is resting or after the patient has been physically active. Cardiac sonographers also may take echocardiograms of fetal hearts so that physicians can diagnose cardiac conditions during pregnancy.
  • Musculoskeletal sonographers specialize in imaging muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. These sonographers may assist with ultrasound guidance for injections, or during surgical procedures, that deliver medication or treatment directly to affected tissues.
  • Pediatric sonographers specialize in imaging of children and infants. Many of the medical conditions they image are associated with premature births or birth defects. Pediatric sonographers may work closely with pediatricians and other caregivers.
  • Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers specialize in imaging the female reproductive system. For example, many pregnant women receive sonograms to track the baby’s growth and health.
  • Vascular technologists (vascular sonographers) create images of blood vessels and collect data that help physicians diagnose disorders affecting blood flow. Vascular technologists often evaluate blood flow and identify blocked arteries or blood clots.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians create images and conduct tests involving the heart and lungs. The following are examples of types of cardiovascular technologists and technicians:

  • Cardiovascular invasive specialists, also known as cardiac catheterization technologists or cardiovascular technologists, monitor patients’ heart rates and help physicians in diagnosing and treating heart problems. They assist with cardiac catheterization, which involves threading a catheter through a patient’s artery to the heart. They also prepare and monitor patients during open-heart surgery and during insertion of pacemakers, defibrillators, and stents. Technologists may prepare patients for procedures by shaving and cleansing the area into which the catheter will be inserted and by administering topical anesthesia. During the procedure, they monitor the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate.
  • Cardiographic or electrocardiogram (EKG) technicians specialize in EKG testing. EKG machines monitor the heart’s performance through electrodes attached to a patient’s chest, arms, and legs. Tests record heart metrics while the patient is at rest or is physically active, such as walking on a treadmill.
  • Pulmonary function technologists monitor and test patients’ lungs and breathing. For example, they use a spirometer to measure how much and how fast patients can inhale or exhale. These technologists help physicians in diagnosing and treating problems of the pulmonary system.

Work Environment

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians held about 58,900 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of cardiovascular technologists and technicians were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private 76%
Offices of physicians 12
Self-employed workers 4
Outpatient care centers 3
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 1

Diagnostic medical sonographers held about 83,800 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of diagnostic medical sonographers were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private 56%
Offices of physicians 24
Medical and diagnostic laboratories 10
Outpatient care centers 4
Self-employed workers 2

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians complete most of their work at diagnostic imaging machines in dimly lit rooms. They may need to stand for long periods and to lift or turn patients who are ill or disabled.

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians work as part of a healthcare team that includes physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, and respiratory therapists.

Work Schedules

Most diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians are full time, although part-time work is common. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, they may have shifts that include evenings, weekends, or overnights.

Getting Started

Education:
63%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
13%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

How to Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians and vascular technologists
Cardiovascular education programs typically include a clinical component in which students work in a medical facility.

Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians typically need formal education, such as an associate’s degree or a postsecondary certificate. Employers may require or prefer that workers have certification.

Education

High school students who are interested in medical sonography or cardiovascular technology should take classes in anatomy, physiology, physics, and math. EKG technicians may qualify for entry-level jobs with a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Colleges and universities offer both associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in sonography and in cardiovascular technology. One-year certificate programs also are available from colleges and some hospitals.

Sonography and cardiovascular education programs usually include courses in anatomy, medical terminology, and applied sciences. Instruction in sonography programs generally corresponds to the relevant certification field, such as abdominal sonography or breast sonography. Cardiovascular programs include coursework in either invasive or noninvasive procedures. Programs also typically include a clinical component in which students earn credit while working under the direction of an experienced technologist in a hospital, a physician’s office, or an imaging laboratory.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Employers may prefer to hire diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians who have professional certification, or they may expect applicants to earn certification shortly after being hired. For payment purposes, insurance providers and Medicare may stipulate that a certified sonographer, technologist, or technician perform certain procedures. Certification is available from several organizations, such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, Cardiovascular Credentialing International, and National Healthcareer Association.

All diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must pass an exam to earn certification. To sit for the exam, eligibility requirements vary and may include graduating from an accredited program or a combination of education and experience. Certifications are typically for specialties in diagnostic imaging; for example, a sonographer may earn a certification in areas such as abdominal, breast, or pediatric sonography.

In addition, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

States may require diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians to be licensed. Typically, certification is required for licensure; other requirements vary by state. Contact state medical boards for more information.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 9,600 openings for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Projected employment of diagnostic imaging workers varies by occupation (see table). As the large baby-boom population continues to age, the need to diagnose medical conditions that affect older adults—such as blood clots and heart disease—will likely increase. Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians use imaging technology as a tool to help physicians diagnose these conditions. Moreover, these workers will continue to be needed in healthcare settings to provide an alternative to imaging techniques that involve radiation.

Contacts for More Information

For more information about diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, visit

Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals

American Society of Echocardiography

Society for Vascular Ultrasound

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

For more information about certification, visit

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

Cardiovascular Credentialing International

National Healthcareer Association

For a current list of accredited education programs in medical sonography and cardiovascular technology, visit

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

Similar Occupations

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians.

Occupation Job Duties Entry-Level Education Median Annual Pay, May 2022
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Bachelor's degree $57,380
Nuclear medicine technologists Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Nuclear medicine technologists prepare and administer radioactive drugs for imaging or treatment.

Associate's degree $85,300
Radiologic technologists Radiologic and MRI Technologists

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.

Associate's degree $67,180
Radiation therapists Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists administer doses of radiation to patients who have cancer or other serious diseases.

Associate's degree $89,530
Registered nurses Registered Nurses

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.

Bachelor's degree $81,220

Information provided by CareerFitter, LLC and other sources.

Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 27.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

CareerFitter, LLC has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.