Vascular technician vs pulmonary function technician

The differences between vascular technicians and pulmonary function 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 pulmonary function technician. Additionally, a vascular technician has an average salary of $79,763, which is higher than the $50,458 average annual salary of a pulmonary function technician.

The top three skills for a vascular technician include patients, ARDMS and RVT. The most important skills for a pulmonary function technician are patients, respiratory care, and patient care.

Vascular technician vs pulmonary function technician overview

	Vascular Technician	Pulmonary Function Technician
Yearly salary	$79,763	$50,458
Hourly rate	$38.35	$24.26
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	20,252	50,955
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 46%	Associate Degree, 44%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

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 pulmonary function technician do?

Pulmonary Function Technologists generally pay around $77K per year and require skills in respiratory care, spirometry, RRT, and understanding test results. In addition to a high school diploma, most employers will require anyone who chooses this career to have an associate degree in respiratory therapy or NBRC certification. This will be needed in a career that calls for setting up and running respective patients' respiratory tests for identifying lung diseases or disorders and conducting tests and collaborating with medical staff for possible diagnoses of lung disease.

Vascular technician vs pulmonary function technician salary

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

	Vascular Technician	Pulmonary Function Technician
Average salary	$79,763	$50,458
Salary range	Between $48,000 And $130,000	Between $33,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	Albany, NY	-
Highest paying state	New York	-
Best paying company	Dignity Health	-
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between vascular technician and pulmonary function technician education

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

	Vascular Technician	Pulmonary Function Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 46%	Associate Degree, 44%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Medical Technician
Most common college	Duke University	University of Southern California

Vascular technician vs pulmonary function technician demographics

Here are the differences between vascular technicians' and pulmonary function technicians' demographics:

	Vascular Technician	Pulmonary Function Technician
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%	Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between vascular technician and pulmonary function 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.

Pulmonary function technician example responsibilities.

Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Perform arterial blood gas analysis, routine spirometry, DLCO, and lung volume test.
Monitor client's heart rate while exercising on EKG.
Perform, monitor, record and interpret electrocardiogram tests.
Attend all high risk deliveries, arterial puncture, ventilator management, and EKG's.
Administer six minute walk test, Oximetry pulse studies , 02 therapy, and Nebulizer treatment.

Vascular technician vs pulmonary function technician skills

Common vascular technician skills

Patients, 21%
ARDMS, 9%
RVT, 8%
Vascular Technologist, 7%
Patient Care, 6%
Test Results, 3%

Common pulmonary function technician skills

Patients, 25%
Respiratory Care, 11%
Patient Care, 10%
Spirometry, 8%
Respiratory Therapy, 6%
Test Results, 5%

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Vascular Technician
Vascular Technician vs Pulmonary Function Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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