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Vascular technician vs cardiac technician

The differences between vascular technicians and cardiac 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 vascular technician and a cardiac technician. Additionally, a vascular technician has an average salary of $79,763, which is higher than the $39,698 average annual salary of a cardiac technician.

The top three skills for a vascular technician include patients, ARDMS and RVT. The most important skills for a cardiac technician are patients, BLS, and CPR.

Vascular technician vs cardiac technician overview

Vascular TechnicianCardiac Technician
Yearly salary$79,763$39,698
Hourly rate$38.35$19.09
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs20,25250,689
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a vascular technician do?

Typically working together with physicians and nurses, a vascular technician specializes in performing imaging and diagnostic examinations to assess a patient's vascular health. Their responsibilities usually include gathering and analyzing patient information and medical history, operating diagnostic equipment, performing adjustments, discussing the extent of procedures to patients, and assisting them, making them feel comfortable every step of the way. Moreover, an avascular technician must produce and summarize findings, submitting them to physicians in a prompt and organized manner.

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.

Vascular technician vs cardiac technician salary

Vascular technicians and cardiac technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vascular TechnicianCardiac Technician
Average salary$79,763$39,698
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $130,000Between $31,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYFargo, ND
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyDignity HealthBrigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between vascular technician and cardiac technician education

There are a few differences between a vascular technician and a cardiac technician in terms of educational background:

Vascular TechnicianCardiac Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeDuke UniversityEmory University

Vascular technician vs cardiac technician demographics

Here are the differences between vascular technicians' and cardiac technicians' demographics:

Vascular TechnicianCardiac Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 33.7% Female, 66.3%Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%
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 vascular technician and cardiac technician duties and responsibilities

Vascular technician example responsibilities.

  • Facilitate physician to help achieve ICAEL accreditation status.
  • Train to perform nuclear stress tests, treadmill stress echo, and ECG's.
  • Assist the lead echocardiographer with ARDMS certification.
  • Execute EKG's and procedure reports for physician's interpretation.
  • Handle audit request by ICAEL and maintain appropriate documentation, etc.
  • Initial patient vitals including ECG, weight, height and blood pressure.
  • Show more

Cardiac technician example responsibilities.

  • 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.
  • Show more

Vascular technician vs cardiac technician skills

Common vascular technician skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • ARDMS, 9%
  • RVT, 8%
  • Vascular Technologist, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Test Results, 3%
Common cardiac technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • BLS, 9%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Cardiology, 4%
  • ECG, 4%

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