Cardiovascular Technician Programs

A cardiovascular technician program trains students in how to assist cardiologists in the diagnoses and assessment of patients with heart and artery problems. The program trains them in how to testing and imaging equipment to aid in this process. Students can choose from different areas of training including invasive cardiology, non-invasive echocardiography, and non-invasive peripheral vascular studies. Each of these concentrations requires its own training. Many programs prepare the students to become certified and licensed in their home state. Some programs run for a year and provide the student with a career diploma. Others provide the student with an associate degree in this field.

How to Enter a Cardiovascular Technician Program

While each school has its own admittance criteria, most cardiovascular technician programs have the same basic requirements. The applicant to the program should be 18 years old at the beginning of the program. They should have a high school diploma or a GED. Most programs require students to have basic college courses in math, English, and science. The science courses should be in anatomy and biology. Some programs require the student to go through an interview process as well. Some also require personal recommendations from teachers or employers.

Jobs Available to a Cardiovascular Technician

Upon graduation from an accredited program, a cardiovascular technician will need to obtain certification and licensing to practice in their home state. Once that is in place, the jobs available depend on the student's specialization. For example, those that specialize in invasive cardiology assist surgeons during cardiology surgery. Non-invasive specialists use equipment to perform imaging and measurement of the heart and arteries outside the operating room. Most of these technicians find jobs in hospitals, cardiology centers, and physician's offices.

Salaries of a Cardiovascular Technician

Salaries in the field of cardiovascular technology start at around $35,000 per year and go up from there. The median pay for a cardiovascular technician in 2010 was $49,400. With an aging population and growing problems with obesity, the need for this specialty is growing rapidly.

Those that enter this field will find it quite rewarding. Cardiac problems abound in many populations. A cardiovascular technician can help the patient and the cardiologist in finding out where problems lie and how to treat it.

The world of cardiovascular technology is changing. This means those in this field will need to keep up on training. Continuing education is a necessary part of being part of this allied health field.

Cardiovascular Technician Schools Near You & Online