If you have ever dreamed of a career as a health provider, working as a cardiovascular technologist may align with your skills and passions. What is a cardiovascular technologist? These professionals are an essential aspect of the healthcare industry, assisting physicians and helping patients during their visits. Learn more about what a cardiovascular technician does, some of the great reasons to become one and how enrolling in a cardiovascular technologist program can help you work toward a rewarding career in the healthcare industry.
Program Overview
AIHT Education’s cardiovascular technologist course is a two-year hybrid program that includes lectures, labs and clinical experience. A cardiovascular technologist specializes in heart and blood vessel sonography. They use medical imaging methods like ultrasounds to diagnose heart conditions, vascular problems or ailments involving the heart, arteries, valves or blood vessels.
Program Objective and Goals
The program’s objective is to provide the required knowledge and skills to prepare students to become successful cardiovascular technologists in the future.
Clinical Externship
At the end of the program, student will be place for a clinical externship where they can gain hands-on experience in a hospital, or imaging centres. Externships allow students to develop skills and enable them to connect with working professionals.
AIHT has clinical affiliations with number of healthcare facilities where students will be placed at one or more of these affiliated sites and must complete their clinical hours based on the schedule provided by the school. Students cannot begin the externship until all required classroom and lab hours are completed.
What Does a Cardiovascular Technologist Do?
A cardiovascular technologist works with physicians to help diagnose various cardiac and peripheral vascular diseases and provide prompt, effective treatment. Cardiovascular technicians also work directly with patients experiencing any medical condition that affects the heart or blood vessels.
A cardiovascular technologist can help with heart-related treatments and procedures a patient may be undergoing. Physicians may also request assistance from cardiovascular technicians for various tasks, including reviewing documentation, scheduling appointments and monitoring a patient’s heart rate.
In addition to attending physicians and working with patients, cardiovascular technologists also help monitor, maintain and repair equipment used daily. Finally, a cardiovascular technician can also answer any questions about imaging tests or treatments.
Cardiovascular Technologist Daily Duties
Though a cardiovascular tech’s daily tasks will vary from day to day and place of employment, here are some typical responsibilities.
- Prepare patients: A cardiovascular technologist can help prepare patients by registering them, updating their electronic health records and verifying their medical history. Cardiovascular technologists may also need to assemble and operate electrophysiologic or hemodynamic equipment for diagnostic or interventional procedures.
- Support physicians: One of a cardiovascular technician’s most vital roles is to support physicians in assessing, diagnosing and treating peripheral vascular and cardiac ailments. A cardiovascular technologist may need to help perform electrocardiograms, treadmill stress tests and non-invasive peripheral vascular tests.
- Maintain an efficient workplace: While a cardiovascular technologist has many responsibilities, their overall purpose is to help create a smooth experience for patients and maintain a safe, healthy, comfortable and secure work environment. Cardiovascular technicians are an essential aspect of many healthcare settings and can act as a liaison between physicians and patients.
Cardiovascular Technologist Skills and Education
AIHT’s Cardiovascular Technologist training program will provide students with foundational knowledge experience, including:
- Medical terminology
- Cardiac and blood vessel ailments
- Medical imaging and testing
- Communication skills with patients and physicians
- A patient-focused mindset
- Ability to select equipment
- Time management
- Critical thinking
Cardiovascular Technologist Training Admission Requirements
The basic requirements necessary to enroll in a cardiovascular technologist program include:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Passing score on Wonderlic Exam
- Interview
- Statement of Purpose
- Minimum requirement of technical and health standards
The program has a discernment application process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee your acceptance into the program. Out of all applicants, AIHT will admit prospective students considered most qualified for the study and practice of sonography.
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