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Demand for cardiac care in the United States has grown rapidly over the past several years due to a high prevalence of diet and exercise related heart disease and the number of people who are now entering their retirement years. Most medical facilities lack the personnel required to adequately manage all of the people who now need cardiovascular care and have begun hiring more unlicensed technicians who are qualified to perform many of the basic tasks associated with treating patients. Individuals who work in this profession are typically not required to be licensed by the state, but will be expected to complete specialized training and certification. Other titles that are used to classify these individuals include EKG technician, cardiovascular technologist, and cardiology technician. Those planning to pursue this career path should have a basic understanding of common work activities before seeking employment. The most common responsibilities that a cardiac technician has within the cardiovascular department involve the administration of heart studies such as the electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and stress test. Although technicians in many different departments perform these procedures from time to time, they generally do not spend the bulk of their work day focusing on them like a specialist would. When conducting a heart test, it is very important for the technician to alleviate any anxiety that the patient is experiencing by outlining the steps involved in the procedure and answering any questions the patient might have. Once the patient has given consent, the technician must make sure the equipment is setup properly and is functioning normally. During the exam, the technician will need to monitor the patient’s vital signs, document the results in the medical record, and notify advanced personnel of abnormalities. In addition to performing routine cardiac exams, a specialist technician in the cardiovascular department will be expected to assist nurses and physicians with invasive procedures; keep track of important health metrics such as oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and volume fluctuations; administer contrast; setup and maintain sterile fields; operate specialized equipment; evaluate the thickness of the heart walls and the size of the cardiac chambers; and much more. Although a college degree is generally not required in order to apply for a position as a cardiology technician, some organizations do expect individuals to pass a training program and a national certification exam that is specific to the specialty. These requirements are designed to provide technicians with the technical skills they will need to become successful. Those who have worked in the department for a few years and who have demonstrated an ability to provide high quality and competent care may be asked to accept responsibility for a few administrative tasks such as training new employees, supervising other technicians, contributing to business meetings, implementing quality improvement initiatives, and discussing performance reviews with lower level staff members. While these activities are not typically included in the standard EKG technician job description they may represent an opportunity to advance one’s career and increase earnings. Before accepting the managerial promotion, it is important to appreciate the added stress that comes with managing people and to evaluate whether or not the opportunity is the appropriate option to pursue. A career as a cardiovascular technologist is a unique and rewarding opportunity that allows individuals to have a profound impact on the health and well-being of others. An appreciation for the employment activities associated with the position may help reaffirm one’s commitment to the profession. Those who are interested in learning more about the regulatory expectations in their state as well as widely adopted education, training, and certification standards are encouraged to check out www.ekgtechniciansalary.org where they will find detailed information on these topics along with other career advancement resources. Careful review of this information prior to seeking employment will allow applicants to become more informed about their chances of competing against other individuals for lucrative job opportunities and will demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality care.
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cardiac technician, ekg technician, cardiovascular technologist,
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