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Telemetry technician vs cardiology technician

The differences between telemetry technicians and cardiology technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a telemetry technician and a cardiology technician. Additionally, a cardiology technician has an average salary of $43,580, which is higher than the $35,758 average annual salary of a telemetry technician.

The top three skills for a telemetry technician include patients, EKG and patient care. The most important skills for a cardiology technician are patients, patient care, and arrhythmia.

Telemetry technician vs cardiology technician overview

Telemetry TechnicianCardiology Technician
Yearly salary$35,758$43,580
Hourly rate$17.19$20.95
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs63,71257,811
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a telemetry technician do?

A telemetry technician is responsible for operating the telemetry machine to identify patients' heart rates and rhythms. Telemetry technicians monitor the patients' heart condition by attaching medical equipment to the patients' chest and record findings for the doctor's reference. They also assist with related medical operations and treatment procedures and discuss the processes with the patient. A telemetry technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in sorting clients' records and medical treatment plans.

What does a cardiology technician do?

Cardiology Technicians are responsible for assisting physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases by conducting diagnostic testing, managing equipment, and recording results. Their duties include registering patients, maintaining a patient log, explaining testing and equipment procedures, assisting the patient in the physical examination, and conducting echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and stress tests. They are also involved in operating physiologic monitors, monitoring instrument readings, conducting pulmonary tests, managing laboratory records, submitting reports, adjusting and cleaning equipment, and maintaining inventory levels. Cardiology Technicians also perform preventive maintenance, handle charge slips, and ensure work complies with professional standards and regulations.

Telemetry technician vs cardiology technician salary

Telemetry technicians and cardiology technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Telemetry TechnicianCardiology Technician
Average salary$35,758$43,580
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $44,000Between $30,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CAEureka, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyColumbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between telemetry technician and cardiology technician education

There are a few differences between a telemetry technician and a cardiology technician in terms of educational background:

Telemetry TechnicianCardiology Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityEmory University

Telemetry technician vs cardiology technician demographics

Here are the differences between telemetry technicians' and cardiology technicians' demographics:

Telemetry TechnicianCardiology Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 37.4% Female, 62.6%Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between telemetry technician and cardiology technician duties and responsibilities

Telemetry technician example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients being monitor while in the ICU and the Med/Surge unit and reporting any abnormal findings to the RN.
  • Monitor patients and administer EKG.
  • Utilize varied medical equipment including telemetry monitors, vital sign monitors and lifting equipment to care for patients.
  • Provide continuous observation of monitor ECG rhythms for patients on telemetry and report pertinent information to appropriate nursing personnel.
  • Pass instruments, sponges, and suture to surgical team.
  • Assist in code situations by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Show more

Cardiology technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Perform stress testing, holter monitoring, and pulmonary function testing.
  • Prepare schedules for the next day, prepare patient charts for appointments using EMR system.
  • Attend all training including, CPR and arrythmia course and staff meetings.
  • Administer stress testing, pulmonary function testing, ECG's, pacemaker and AICD testing and general patient management.
  • Conduct thousands of ECG's, plus Holter monitoring, signal average ECG's, computer editing of ECG reports.
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Telemetry technician vs cardiology technician skills

Common telemetry technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • EKG, 15%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Rhythm Interpretation, 4%
  • ICU, 4%
Common cardiology technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Arrhythmia, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • ECG, 4%
  • Treadmill, 4%

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