Cardiovascular Technology

Occupational Description

The cardiovascular technologist performs diagnostic examinations and therapeutic interventions of the heart and/or blood vessels at the request or direction of a physician in one or more of the following disciplines:

Invasive Cardiology-Cardiac Catheterization
Invasive Cardiology-Cardiac Electrophysiology Technology
Noninvasive Cardiology-Adult and Pediatric Echocardiography
Noninvasive Peripheral Vascular Study-Vascular Ultrasound

Through assisting, sampling and/or recording, the cardiovascular technologist creates an easily definable foundation of data from which an anatomic and/or physiologic diagnosis can be made.

Job Description

The cardiovascular technologist is qualified by specific didactic, laboratory, and clinical technological education to perform and/or assist in various invasive and non-invasive cardiovascular procedures. The role of the cardiovascular technologist may include, but is not limited to (1) reviewing and/or recording pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data; (2) performing appropriate clinical procedures and obtaining a record of anatomical, pathological, and/or physiological data; (3) exercising discretion and judgment in the performance of cardiovascular diagnostic and therapeutic services; and (4) participating in interventional cardiovascular catheterization and/or cardiac electrophysiology procedures.

Employment Characteristics

Cardiovascular technologists may provide their services to patients in any medical setting under the supervision of a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (MD or DO). The procedures performed by the cardiovascular technologist may be found in, but are not limited to, one of the following general settings: (1) invasive cardiovascular catheterization laboratories; (2) cardiac electrophysiology laboratories; (3) noninvasive cardiovascular laboratories, including adult and pediatric echocardiography laboratories; and (4) noninvasive peripheral vascular study-vascular ultrasound laboratories.

Educational Programs

Length. Programs may be from 6 months to 4 years, depending on student qualifications and number of areas of diagnostic evaluation selected.

Prerequisites: As determined by the educational institution.

Curriculum. Curricula of accredited programs include didactic instruction, laboratory experiences, and clinical instruction. Suggested areas of basic instruction and core curriculum include an introduction to the field of cardiovascular technology, patient care assessment, general and/or applied sciences, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, cardiovascular hemodynamics and operation of medical instruments.

Careers/Curriculum

Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals
PO Box 2007
Midlothian, VA 23113
Phone: 804-639-9213
Website: www.acp-online.org

American Society of Echocardiography
2100 Gateway Centre Blvd., Suite 310
Morrisville, NC 27560
Phone: 919-861-5574
Website: www.asecho.org

Society for Vascular Ultrasound
4601 Presidents Drive/Suite 260
Lanham, MD 20706-4831
Phone:301-459-7550 or 800-788-8346
Fax 301-459-5651
Website: www.svunet.org

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
2745 North Dallas Parkway #350
Plano, TX 75093-8729
Phone:214-473-8057 or 800-229-9506
Website: www.sdms.org

Commission on Accreditation

of Allied Health Education Programs