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Cardiovascular Technologist/Technician

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AVG. SALARY

$55,610

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EDUCATION

Associate's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

Interviews

Insider Info

It was a decision made by the heart and for the heart. Euretha Hayde always had an interest in the heart and its numerous life-supporting functions.

While she started and completed three years of training to be a nurse, Hayde's love of the human heart drew her to the work of a cardiovascular technician. Later, she made the choice to specialize in electrocardiography, a subsection of cardiovascular technology.

"There are so many different tests to perform in this field that it keeps your interest every single day. This was certainly the best career move for me," she says.

"There are many choices when the basic training is completed. The area of health care is challenging and very interesting. I've seen the transition from push-button techs to well-trained, certified professionals offering the best possible service to the public. Basic training covers ECG, Holter monitoring, stress testing and pacemakers."

Hayde now is a senior electrocardiography technologist. This position requires supervising and hands-on skills. She also teaches electrocardiography and ECG interpretation and has developed a manual to train ECG techs.

The variety of the position also attracted David Eppert. "Every day it's something different," Eppert says. "No two patients are alike."

Eppert started as an X-ray technician in Indiana. He used his background with ultrasound testing to start training in Indianapolis -- soon, Eppert was performing echocardiograms and training others in the non-invasive procedures.

Currently, Eppert is manager of the Echo-Vascular and Pulmonary Function Laboratory for University Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He's also co-authored several papers on testing and evaluations. Overseeing daily operations of the units doesn't leave much time for patient contact, which he very much enjoys.

"A lady came in to be tested before going to Europe," Eppert recalls. "While doing the ultrasound, it was real clear that she had an aortic aneurysm. But a tech can't really say anything about the test to the patient so I kept my cool, excused myself and stepped out into the hallway.

"I found a doctor and told him my suspicions. He checked her and she was admitted immediately. She was operated on the next day and did very well. And she took that trip to Europe about a month later. I happened to see her back for testing about a year later and she recognized me."

Glenda Ryan is senior cardiology technologist in the cardiopulmonary investigation unit of a health science center. Her background includes a bachelor's degree in physiology.

A search of related careers while earning a bachelor's degree in biology led Michael Cogliano to the profession. "I was looking at careers during my junior and senior years and didn't want to spend the time or the money to become a physician. I looked at some allied health fields and found that this offered the most freedom and the most excitement."

The Virginia resident is a certified cardiovascular technologist. Cogliano helps insert catheters into patients' blood vessels to examine the heart for irregularities.

"Many of our patients are elderly, and I've had a few experiences with cardiac arrests. That can be a real exciting part of the job. It's nice to have the knowledge and the skills to be able to save a life. I've been able to do that a few times."

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