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.
Vascular technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real vascular technician resumes:
- 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.
- Maintain the machine, and submit completed Echocardiogram paperwork on multiple computer systems.
- Participate in free vascular screenings for the public; ensure images are transferred to PACS.
- Experience with multiple EMR and payroll software programs including Allscripts, Athena, Paychex, Timeco and ADP.
- Oversee daily patient schedules while prioritizing urgent ad hoc request with compliance to ARDMS, HIPPA and OSHA standards.
- Maintain supplies in examination rooms, monitor equipment operations and maintenance, and maintain order and cleanliness of work area.
- Maintain sanitation, organization and cleanliness of facility.
- Provide holter monitoring, patient arrhythmia and telemetry.
- Assist patient with gross motor development to expedite rehabilitation.
- Utilize PACS to finalize preliminary reports for radiologist to review.
Vascular technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Vascular Technicians are proficient in Patients, ARDMS, and RVT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Hand-eye coordination, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Vascular Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 21%
Collaborated with the technical director and vascular surgeons to provide exceptional care to the patients using state-of-the-art equipment and procedures.
- ARDMS, 9%
Assisted the lead echocardiographer with ARDMS certification.
- RVT, 8%
Organized and participated in QA sessions with RVT's and surgeons.
- Vascular Technologist, 7%
Directed six vascular technologists, two medical assistants and two administrative personnel.
- Patient Care, 6%
Use independent judgment and systematic problem solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient care.
- Test Results, 3%
Discussed test results with supervisor and Medical Director.
Most vascular technicians use their skills in "patients," "ardms," and "rvt" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential vascular technician responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a vascular technician to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what vascular technicians do because "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must follow precise instructions to obtain the images needed to diagnose and treat patients." Additionally, a vascular technician resume shows how vascular technicians use detail oriented: "obtained patient history and explained procedure in detail.3. "
Hand-eye coordination. Many vascular technician duties rely on hand-eye coordination. "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.," so a vascular technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways vascular technician responsibilities rely on hand-eye coordination: "supported the coordination of vascular laboratory activities, along with efficiently managing core clinical initiatives. "
Physical stamina. vascular technician responsibilities often require "physical stamina." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians stand for long periods and must be able to lift and move patients who need assistance." This resume example shows what vascular technicians do with physical stamina on a typical day: "performed physical exam, ekg's, vital signs, metabolic rate test and pft. "
Technical skills. A commonly-found skill in vascular technician job descriptions, "technical skills" is essential to what vascular technicians do. Vascular technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians must understand how to operate complex machinery and computerized instruments." You can also see how vascular technician duties rely on technical skills in this resume example: "perform a range of vascular studies * technical interpretation of studies * reporting of results to physician * patient education"
The three companies that hire the most vascular technicians are:
- HealthTrust47 vascular technicians jobs
- MedPro Healthcare Staffing35 vascular technicians jobs
- Houston Methodist25 vascular technicians jobs
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Compare different vascular technicians
Vascular technician vs. Cardiographer
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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a vascular technician are more likely to require skills like "patients," "ardms," "rvt," and "vascular technologist." On the other hand, a job as a cardiographer requires skills like "heart disease," "r," "mechanical equipment," and "treadmill." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Cardiographers tend to reach similar levels of education than vascular technicians. In fact, cardiographers are 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Vascular technician vs. Cardiovascular sonographer
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, vascular technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ardms," "vascular technologist," "peripheral vascular," and "vascular lab." Meanwhile, a cardiovascular sonographer has duties that require skills in areas such as "bls," "rdcs," "echocardiography," and "exam." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Cardiovascular sonographers tend to reach similar levels of education than vascular technicians. In fact, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vascular technician vs. Cardiovascular invasive specialist
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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a vascular technician is likely to be skilled in "ardms," "rvt," "vascular technologist," and "patient care," while a typical cardiovascular invasive specialist is skilled in "bls," "acls," "rcis," and "ecg."
Cardiovascular invasive specialists earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $79,740. Comparatively, vascular technicians have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $81,299.Most cardiovascular invasive specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to vascular technicians. For example, they're 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vascular technician vs. Ultrasound technologist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between vascular technicians and ultrasound technologists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a vascular technician might have more use for skills like "rvt," "vascular technologist," "peripheral vascular," and "diagnostic procedures." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of ultrasound technologists require skills like "ultrasound procedures," "vascular ultrasound," "radiology," and "ultrasound exams. "
In general, ultrasound technologists earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $90,559. The highest-paying industry for a vascular technician is the health care industry.The average resume of ultrasound technologists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to vascular technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.Types of vascular technician
Updated January 8, 2025
