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Cardiovascular technician vs ultrasound technologist

The differences between cardiovascular technicians and ultrasound technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cardiovascular technician and an ultrasound technologist. Additionally, an ultrasound technologist has an average salary of $84,702, which is higher than the $62,986 average annual salary of a cardiovascular technician.

The top three skills for a cardiovascular technician include patients, BLS and patient care. The most important skills for an ultrasound technologist are patients, ARDMS, and ultrasound procedures.

Cardiovascular technician vs ultrasound technologist overview

Cardiovascular TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Yearly salary$62,986$84,702
Hourly rate$30.28$40.72
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs37,03652,198
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 55%
Average age4543
Years of experience22

What does a cardiovascular technician do?

A cardiovascular technician is responsible for monitoring and administering treatment plans for patients with cardiovascular illnesses. Cardiovascular technicians operate various equipment and machinery to ensure the accuracy of diagnosis and determine the medical procedures to take. They also assist the doctors in performing medical operations, observing the patients' condition, and explaining the test findings to the patients. A cardiovascular technician keeps a record of medical charts for reference, as well as providing progress updates to the doctors and the patients' families.

What does an ultrasound technologist do?

An ultrasound technologist is responsible for assisting medical professionals in operating high-end equipment to diagnose patients' illnesses and monitor health conditions. Ultrasound technologists regularly inspect the efficiency and reliability of the machine and report inconsistencies and defects for immediate repair or replacement. They record scan results and endorse the patient to appropriate medical staff for required medication and further observation. An ultrasound technologist must have excellent knowledge and extensive experience in the medical industry to provide quality care for the patients and address their needs and concerns.

Cardiovascular technician vs ultrasound technologist salary

Cardiovascular technicians and ultrasound technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cardiovascular TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Average salary$62,986$84,702
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $91,000Between $51,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CityDavis, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVermont
Best paying companyHeartland Home Health Inc.Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between cardiovascular technician and ultrasound technologist education

There are a few differences between a cardiovascular technician and an ultrasound technologist in terms of educational background:

Cardiovascular TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 55%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Cardiovascular technician vs ultrasound technologist demographics

Here are the differences between cardiovascular technicians' and ultrasound technologists' demographics:

Cardiovascular TechnicianUltrasound Technologist
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 35.5% Female, 64.5%Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between cardiovascular technician and ultrasound technologist duties and responsibilities

Cardiovascular technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Certify in CPR and ACLS.
  • Scrub and monitor implant and EP Carto and basic ablation procedures.
  • Collect data with a GPS handheld receiver and map it in the office using GIS.
  • Provide continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring for secondary medical cardiac beds as a cardiopulmonary monitor technician.
  • Perform hook-up and scanning of holter monitors.
  • Show more

Ultrasound technologist example responsibilities.

  • Perform ABIs while the vascular technologist perform the ultrasound to help with achieving a timely schedule.
  • Accomplish general ultrasounds centered on abdominal, OB-GYN, small parts, pelvic (male), and vascular.
  • Train new students how to perform PVR, segmental and ABI studies
  • Assist and independently perform 2D echo studies using m-mode, color flow, spectral and tissue Doppler, measurements and calculations.
  • Provide outpatient ultrasound studies in vascular, observe in echocardiogram
  • Perform a variety of procedures including abdomen, vascular and gynecology exams.
  • Show more

Cardiovascular technician vs ultrasound technologist skills

Common cardiovascular technician skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • BLS, 12%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Acls, 8%
  • Cardiovascular Technologist, 5%
  • Cardiology, 4%
Common ultrasound technologist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • ARDMS, 11%
  • Ultrasound Procedures, 11%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Pacs, 7%
  • Vascular Ultrasound, 6%

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