What does a cardiac technician do?
Cardiac or cardiovascular technicians are healthcare professionals who participate in saving the lives of patients with a heart attack by helping physicians diagnose and treat cardiac and peripheral vascular ailments. These technicians are experts in conducting electrocardiogram (ECG) tests that measure the electrical activity of a patient's heart. They prepare patients and position them for the medical procedure while setting up the necessary diagnosing and monitoring equipment. Cardiac technicians must also assist cardiovascular surgeons in interpreting the reports for their patients.
Cardiac technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real cardiac technician resumes:
- Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
- Receive and edit electrocardiogram (ECG) data in order to and formulate sound clinical judgments.
- Provide technical phone-base support and customer service in a call center environment to LifeWatch cardiac patients.
- Enter data in the EMR.
- Train in first aid, CPR, deliberation and shock techniques.
- Complete test relate paperwork and enter into EMR according to HIPAA compliance.
- Assist in running echocardiogram, nuclear, pharmacological, and treadmill stress tests.
- Perform electrocardiograms (EKGs), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram and set up stress tests and Holter monitoring.
- Assist in emergency cardiac resuscitation.
- Perform venipuncture and electrocardiograms on patients preparing for surgery.
- Fit patients with and monitor holter monitors for data collection
- Alternate procedures associate with monitoring and interpreting normal and abnormal ECG rhythms.
- Review memory alarms, set alarm parameters, perform arrhythmia analysis and document cardiac rhythm strip.
- Job responsibilities include providing care to patients requiring a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac rhythm devices.
- Identify and troubleshoot routine technical problems with the central monitoring system and initiate biomedical repairs as necessary.
Cardiac technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Cardiac Technicians are proficient in Patients, BLS, and CPR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Interpersonal skills, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Cardiac Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 23%
Provided technical phone-based support and customer service in a call center environment to LifeWatch cardiac patients.
- BLS, 9%
Related coursework and certificates: BLS Certified-Basic Life Support, ACLS Certified- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
- CPR, 5%
Assisted nurses and physicians on the code team with CPR.
- Acls, 5%
Obtained ACLS & PALS Certification.
- Cardiology, 4%
Supervised EKG / Echo / Vascular Technicians within Cardiology Diagnostic Suite / Respiratory Care department.
- ECG, 4%
Commended for consistent conciseness and quality of written analysis of recorded ECG test data.
Most cardiac technicians use their skills in "patients," "bls," and "cpr" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential cardiac technician responsibilities here:
Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a cardiac technician to have is hand-eye coordination. Their role and responsibilities require that "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." Cardiac technicians often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "test structures, controls, mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems, per test plans or in coordination with engineers. "
Technical skills. This is an important skill for cardiac technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how cardiac technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a cardiac technician: "trained/assisted/mentored new technicians and lesser skilled team members in technical operations and customer service. ".
Detail oriented. For certain cardiac technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a cardiac technician rely on this skill, as "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what cardiac technicians do: "well-deserved reputation as strong communicator, providing detailed, clear and accurate information to both patients and doctors' offices. "
The three companies that hire the most cardiac technicians are:
- RWJBarnabas Health39 cardiac technicians jobs
- Geisinger Medical Center26 cardiac technicians jobs
- Trinity Health21 cardiac technicians jobs
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Compare different cardiac technicians
Cardiac technician vs. Sonographer
A Sonographer performs diagnostic procedures using sonographic equipment. Their duties include preparing patients, explaining the exam, and performing the procedure.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between cardiac technicians and sonographer. For instance, cardiac technician responsibilities require skills such as "bls," "cpr," "acls," and "cardiology." Whereas a sonographer is skilled in "sonography," "ardms," "patient care," and "ultrasound equipment." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Sonographers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $94,516. In contrast, cardiac technicians make the biggest average salary, $36,891, in the health care industry.sonographers tend to reach similar levels of education than cardiac technicians. In fact, sonographers are 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Cardiac technician vs. Cardiovascular sonographer
A cardiovascular sonographer specializes in operating non-invasive imaging equipment to help physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular issues. They conduct imaging test procedures and assist patients by answering questions, preparing them for the tests, helping them understand the process, providing step-by-step instructions, and making them feel at ease the entire time. They are also responsible for evaluating the images, utilizing their knowledge to sort out abnormalities detected. Moreover, as a cardiovascular sonographer, it is essential to produce accurate results, all while maintaining a transparent and open communication line with physicians and nurses.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real cardiac technician resumes. While cardiac technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "acls," "cardiology," "catheter," and "telemetry," cardiovascular sonographers use skills like "rdcs," "echocardiography," "patient care," and "exam."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Cardiovascular sonographers tend to reach similar levels of education than cardiac technicians. In fact, they're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Cardiac technician vs. Cardiovascular invasive specialist
A cardiovascular invasive specialist works together with physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular conditions. They primarily assist in different cardiac procedures, ensuring operations run smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities usually include gathering and studying the patients' records, operating and adjusting imaging equipment, setting-up facilities, preparing the patients for cardiac intervention and catheterization, and interpreting imaging data, coordinating with physicians at all times. Moreover, they monitor the patients' heart rate, blood pressure, and other waveforms, all while maintaining accurate records.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from cardiac technician resumes include skills like "cardiology," "cath lab," "telemetry," and "customer service," whereas a cardiovascular invasive specialist is more likely to list skills in "rcis," "cvt," "cardiac cath lab," and "ekg. "
Cardiovascular invasive specialists earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $79,740. Comparatively, cardiac technicians have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $36,891.When it comes to education, cardiovascular invasive specialists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to cardiac technicians. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Cardiac technician vs. Radiologic technologist assistant
Radio repairers are responsible for performing and supervising maintenance for the sustainment level of radio transmitters, receivers, and other types of communication security equipment. This may be done in the field or in an office setting. Good dexterity, sufficient strength, and a healthy background in mechanical skills and diagnostic equipment will be a must for this career.
Types of cardiac technician
Updated January 8, 2025
