Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Day-to-day work means running EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, and similar heart or lung exams with specialized electronic equipment. Patients need the procedure explained, electrodes attached to chest, arms, and legs, and help getting into position. Blood pressure and heart rate are watched during the exam so a physician can be told if something looks wrong; comfort and safety are checked throughout. Identification, medical history, and results are recorded, and equipment is adjusted to the physician's orders or protocol. It suits people who like working directly with patients, explaining steps clearly, and staying alert to changing readings.
Typical education: Associate’s Degree (2-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$74'310
Median Wage Market Position
$74'310
What you might do
- Conduct EKGs, echocardiograms, or stress tests
- Attach electrodes to chest, arms, and legs
- Watch heart rate and blood pressure during procedures
- Explain each test before it starts
- Position patients and set equipment controls
- Log identification, history, and test results
Skills that matter
- Listening while taking a cardiac history
- Explaining EKG and stress-test procedures
- Flagging abnormal readings to the physician
- Tracking blood pressure during stress tests
- Watching EKG equipment throughout a study
- Noticing discomfort and repositioning patients
AI & the future of this role
Heart and lung testing often requires operating equipment on patients in real time, including invasive procedures where judgment and teamwork matter. AI may assist with signal interpretation, yet bedside performance and clinical coordination are likely to sustain demand for skilled operators.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details