In this article we look at the field of cardiovascular technology and what cardiovascular technologist schools are all about. As many of you are aware, echocardiography forms part of a larger group of occupations in allied health known as cardiovascular technology.

Cardiovascular technology explained

The term “cardiovascular technologists” is used to refer to a range of specialists who assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. (“cardio” is a synonym of heart; “vascular” refers to the circulatory system). Depending on their training and specialization, cardiovascular technologists perform specific duties. While most of them work in the cardiovascular service department of a hospital, they also find employment in clinics, mobile medical squads or private physician’s offices. Interestingly there is no standardized nomenclature for the various roles performed by this category of technologists and so the titles vary between hospitals. For instance, electrocardiograph technicians are also known as EKG technicians and electrocardigraphers; echocardiographers are also known as diagnostic sonographers. While the titles may vary, we can still categorize them based on the nature of their jobs.

Electrocardiography technologists or EKG technologists use an electrocardiograph to detect electric impulses produced in a patient’s heart and to make an image called electrocardiogram. This image can tell the physician about the working of the heart and its condition.

Holter monitoring and stress testing are two cardiac monitoring procedures performed either by EKG technologists as an additional duty or specialized Holter monitor technologists and stress test technologists.

Cardiology technologists specialize in assisting doctors in cardiac catheterization procedures. A typical cardiac catheterization procedure is the angiogram wherein a tube is inserted into the heart to see if there is a blockage in the heart blood vessels. Cardiac catheterization procedures are invasive by nature. Cardiovascular technologist schools offer this as a specialized training.

Vascular technology and echocardiography are non-invasive cardiovascular procedures. These aer performed by vascular technologists and echocardiographers. Again, specialized training programs exist for vascular technology and echocardiography. These are among the more common training programs offered by cardiovascular technologist schools.

Then there are cardiac monitor technicians who perform some of the same duties as electrocardiographers. They usually work in the intensive care unit or cardio care unit of the hospital, these technicians monitor the patients’ heart performance by constantly monitoring the electrocardiogram screen.

Cardiovascular Technologist Schools

Some vocational, technical and community colleges have one or two year programs in electrocardiography (EKG technology), Holter monitoring, stress testing or all three. While a one-year program leads to a certificate, a two-year program leads to associate’s degree. Those looking for accredited programs in echocardiography can check the American Medical Association’s Allied Health Directory. Cardiac monitor technicians and echocardiographers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent plus a one or two-year training.

Echocardiography technologists typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and one (certificate), two (associate’s), or four years (bachelor’s) of post-secondary schooling in a career or community college. While training programs are available in vascular technology, vascular technologists also have the option of getting trained on the job.

Cardiology technologists are seen to have the highest academic requirements of all allied health professions. A four-year bachelor’s degree or at least a two-year associate’s degree is often a minimum requirement for employment for a cardiology technologist.

A list of accredited cardiovascular technologist schools can be found in the AMA’s Allied Health Directory. Also, a directory of accredited training programs in sonography is published by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Another option to locate cardiovascular technologist schools near you is to use our database which has the most updated list of all allied health schools. For this, you can use the search-box on this page. You also have the option of requesting individual schools to contact you with additional information, should you so desire.