U.S. Department of Labor

Career Information

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Career	Median Salary	Job Openings	Growth Rate
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	$55,570	3,500	10% to 14%	show details
Description
Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests. Includes vascular technologists.
Job Titles Include
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist, Cardiac Catheterization Technician, Cardiac Technician, Cardiology Technician, Cardiopulmonary Technician, Cardiovascular Technician, Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT), Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Technician), Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
Wages	Bottom 15%	Median Salary	Top 10%
United States	$28,650	$55,570	$89,450
Employment	current employment 2016	projected job openings 2016 - 2026	projected growth 2016 - 2026
United States	53,760	3,500	10% to 14%
typical tasks
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. Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results. Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses. Prepare and position patients for testing. 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. Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol. Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation. Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students. Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standard norms to identify abnormalities. Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures. Observe ultrasound display screen and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, or cerebral circulation. Assist surgeons with vascular procedures, such as preparing balloons and stents. 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.
Radiologic Technicians	$41,070	11,000	15% or higher	show details
Description
Maintain and use equipment and supplies necessary to demonstrate portions of the human body on x-ray film or fluoroscopic screen for diagnostic purposes.
Job Titles Include
Chief Technician, X-Ray (Chief Tech, X-Ray); Limited Radiology Technician; Radiologic Technician (RT); Radiology Technician (Radiology Tech); Registered Radiographer; X-Ray Technician (X-Ray Tech)
Wages	Bottom 15%	Median Salary	Top 10%
United States	$26,990	$41,070	$71,280
Employment