Job description Cardiovascular Technologist in the Vancouver Island and Coast Region

Find out what work is like for a cardiovascular technologist in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. (NOC 32123).

Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists

Description

Cardiology technologists operate electrocardiogram equipment and use medical imaging technologies to record cardiac activity of patients to aid in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of heart disease. Electrophysiological diagnostic technologists operate electroencephalographic, electromyographic and other electrophysiological diagnostic equipment to assist physicians in diagnosing diseases, injuries and abnormalities. Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this unit group. They are employed in clinics, hospitals and medical laboratories.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Cardiology technologists
  • Operate electrocardiogram and other electronic equipment to record cardiac activity of patients
  • Perform non-invasive cardiovascular procedures and tests, such as electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, ambulatory monitoring and scanning of tapes, holter arrhythmia scanning, pacemaker analysis and follow-up
  • Record and assess cardiac activity and provide preliminary reports of tests
  • Provide patients with care during procedures and tests
  • Prepare reports for interpretation by cardiologists
  • Reprogram pacemakers according to required standards
  • Check, calibrate and perform routine maintenance of cardiology equipment to ensure proper operation
  • May analyze tests and notify physician or other health care professionals of abnormalities
  • May administer certain drugs under direct supervision of physician
  • May document and record pacemaker implant threshold measurements under direct supervision of cardiac surgeon
  • May supervise and train students, other cardiology technologists and nurses.
  • Electrophysiological technologists
  • Review patient's case history and assess nature of problem to determine procedures and tests required
  • Attach diagnostic equipment to patients and ensure their comfort and safety
  • Operate diagnostic equipment such as electroencephalographic and evoked potential equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain and cranial and central nervous systems
  • Operate electromyographic equipment to conduct electrophysiological nerve conduction velocity tests and to assist physicians in conducting electrophysiological tests such as muscle strength and repetitive stimulation
  • Take notes on the recorded graph to identify interference such as poor electrode contact or patient movement
  • Prepare recordings and reports of findings for physicians to aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders
  • Check, calibrate and perform routine maintenance of diagnostic equipment
  • Train and supervise students, technicians or other electroencephalograph technologists.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 32123), and a list of similar occupations:

  • cardiac stress technologist
  • cardiology supervisor
  • cardiology technologist
  • electrocardiographic (ECG) technologist
  • electrocardiography technologist
  • electroencephalograph (EEG) technologist
  • electromyography (EMG) technologist
  • electroneurodiagnostic (END) technologist
  • electroneurophysiology (ENP) technologist

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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