Occupation Summary

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians

O*NET 29-2031.00

Description:

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.

Annual Wages:
$59,000.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 14.19%.
Education Level:
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

  1. Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
  2. Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
  3. Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
  4. Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
  5. 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.
  6. Prepare and position patients for testing.
  7. Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
  8. Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.
  9. Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
  10. Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
  11. Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.
  12. Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.
  13. Inject contrast medium into patients' blood vessels.
  14. Observe ultrasound display screen and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, or cerebral circulation.
  15. Assess cardiac physiology and calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
  16. Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standard norms to identify abnormalities.
  17. Perform general administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or ordering supplies or equipment.
  18. Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
  19. Assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac or peripheral vascular treatments, such as implanting pacemakers or assisting with balloon angioplasties to treat blood vessel blockages.
  20. Transcribe, type, and distribute reports of diagnostic procedures for interpretation by physician.
  21. Set up 24-hour Holter and event monitors, scan and interpret tapes, and report results to physicians.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians employed Annual Growth Rate
General medical and surgical hospitals 73.8 0.34
Offices of physicians 12 0.28
Outpatient care centers 2.5 1.84
Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals 2.4 1.34


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $28.37
2024 National average hourly wage $35.04
2022 National employment 58,900
2022 Texas employment 4,228
Texas projected employment by 2032 4,828
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 335




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
85.80%
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
77.80%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
77.40%
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
66.20%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
65.40%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
58.00%
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
55.00%
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
54.40%
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
52.40%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
52.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
77.60%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
75.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
75.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
75.00%
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
75.00%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
72.40%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
72.40%
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
65.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
65.00%
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
62.40%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
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.
82.40%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
80.00%
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
72.40%
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
72.40%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
72.40%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
72.40%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
70.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
70.00%


  • Assisting and Caring for Others
    -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Working with Computers
    -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Other Activities


  • 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.
  • 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.



Tools

Angiography contrast medium delivery sets: Pressure injectors; Contrast power injectors; Medrad injectors;

Angioplasty balloon catheters: Balloon catheters;

Angioscopes: Heart probes;

Arterial line catheters: Swan Ganz artery catheters;

Arterial needles: Brachial artery needles;

Binocular light compound microscopes: Laboratory microscopes;

Blood collection syringes: Blood collection syringes;

Blood gas analyzers: Blood gas analyzers;

Body plethysmographs: Plethysmography machines;

Cardiac output CO monitoring units: Physiological monitoring and analysis systems; Thermodilution cardiac output computers; Hemodynamic monitors;

Cardiac pacemaker generators or cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers CRT-P: Ventricular demand pacemakers; Silicone lead end caps; Pacemaker analyzers; Pacemakers; Pacing generators; Dual chamber pacemakers; Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator AICD implants;

Cardiovascular sheath kits: Cardiovascular catheter sheaths;

Central venous catheters: Central venous catheters;

Chemical or gas sterilizers: Chemical sterilizers;

Coagulation analyzers: Coagulation testing equipment;

Coronary stents: Coronary stents;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheter introducers: Brockenbrough needles; Transseptal sheaths;

Diagnostic or interventional vascular catheters for general use: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty PTCA equipment; Radiofrequency ablation catheters; Rheolytic thrombectomy systems; Rotoblators; Grollmann catheters; Heart catheters; Mechanical thrombolytic devices; Miller catheters; NIH catheters; Angiojets;

Digital imaging communications in medicine DICOM standard system equipment: Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM system equipment;

Digital imaging network DIN system equipment: Defense digital imaging network-picture archiving and communications systems DIN-PACS;

Electrocardiography EKG accessories: Electrocardiography EKG tape reading scanners;

Electrocardiography EKG electrode patches: Electrocardiography EKG electrodes;

Electrocardiography EKG unit analyzers: Vector-cardiographs;

Electrocardiography EKG units: Electrocardiography EKG units; Cardio-page writers;

Electromyography EMG units: Light and sound machines;

Electronic blood pressure units: Electronic blood pressure units;

Electronic stethoscopes: Electronic stethoscopes;

Glucose monitors or meters: Glucometers;

Hematology analyzers: Activated clotting time ACT lab equipment;

Holter or wearable EKG monitoring systems or accessories: Portable electrocardiography EKG machines; Holter monitors;

Hypodermic needle: Venipuncture needles;

Intraaortic balloon pumps: Indeflators; Intra-aortic balloon pumps IABP;

Intravenous catheters: Arterial line stop-cocks; Pressure tubing;

Intravenous or arterial extension tubing: Intravenous IV tubing;

Intravenous or arterial tubing adapter or connector: Intravenous IV locks;

Introducer or guide pin or guidewire or glidewire or guide rod: Guidewires;

Lancets: Sterile blood lancets;

Laser printers: Thermal printers; Laser printers;

Lux or light meter: Light meters;

Medical acoustic stethoscopes: Mechanical stethoscopes;

Medical cinefluoroscopy units: Fluoroscopes;

Medical imaging wet darkroom or daylight processors: Film processing equipment;

Medical picture archiving computer systems PACS: Medical picture archiving computer systems PACS; Image capturing and transmission systems; Image storage systems; Scan converters;

Medical radiological shielding aprons or masks or drapes: Lead aprons; Lead collars;

Medical syringes without needle: Intravenous IV syringes;

Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use: X ray machines;

Mercury blood pressure units: Mercury sphygmomanometers;

Mobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles: Automated external defibrillators AED; Defibrillators;

Notebook computers: Notebook computers;

Oxygen therapy delivery system products: Nitric oxide administration equipment; Oxygen therapy systems;

Perfusion oxygenators: 3, 4, and 5 stopcock manifolds;

Peripherally inserted central catheters PICC: Over-the-needle intravenous IV catheters;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Pulmonary function calculators: Computerized lung analyzers;

Pulse oximeter units: Oximeters;

Removal devices of diagnostic or interventional vascular catheters: Transluminal extraction catheters;

Spirometers: Spirometers;

Surgical clamps or clips or forceps: C-clamps; Myocardial biopsy forceps;

Surgical equipment stands: Surgical trays/tables;

Surgical lasers: Lasers;

Surgical microscopes or loupes or magnifiers: Microscopes;

Surgical purstring devices: Suture devices;

Tablet computers: Tablet computers;

Tourniquets: Tourniquets;

Treadmill exercisers for rehabilitation or therapy: Therapeutic treadmill exercisers;

Ultracentrifuges: Ultracentrifuges;

Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers: Evacuated blood collection tubes;

Vascular filters: Caval filters; Bird's nest inferior vena caval filters; Distal embolic protection devices; Vena caval filters;

Vascular imaging guidewires: Wave wires; Radi pressure wires;


Technology

Data base user interface and query software: Database software; Structured data entry software;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Information retrieval or search software: Information systems integration software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Inventory management software: Pyxis MedStation software;

Medical software: Smart Digital Holter Monitor; Practice management software PMS; Internet or intranet image distribution software; MEDITECH software; Diagnostic image review software; Digital Imaging Communications in Medicine DICOM-compatible image acquisition and integration software products; Electronic medical record EMR software;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Web platform development software: JavaScript; Hypertext preprocessor PHP;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word; Word processing software;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians include:
  • 29-2032.00 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
  • 29-2035.00 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
  • 29-2012.00 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
  • 29-2099.01 Neurodiagnostic Technologists
  • 29-2033.00 Nuclear Medicine Technologists
  • 29-2099.05 Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
  • 29-1124.00 Radiation Therapists
  • 29-2034.00 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
  • 29-1126.00 Respiratory Therapists
  • 29-2055.00 Surgical Technologists


Sources of Additional 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
  • CareerOneStop

  • For a career video on cardiovascular technologists and technicians, visit: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
  • For a career video on diagnostic medical sonographers, visit: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
  • Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.