Job description Cardiovascular Technologist in British Columbia

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

  • 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.

Job titles

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

Related occupations

Source National Occupational Classification

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