What do I have to do to get this job?

Educational qualification: For basic EKG's, Holter monitoring, and stress testing, 1-year certificate programs exist, although most EKG technicians are still trained on the job by an EKG supervisor or a cardiologist. On-the-job training usually lasts about 8 to 16 weeks; applicants must be high school graduates. Most employers prefer to train people already in the health care field—nursing aides, for example. Some EKG technicians are students who are enrolled in 2-year programs to become technologists, but work part-time to gain experience and make contact with employers.

Work environment: Technologists and technicians generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week, which may include weekends. Those in catheterization labs tend to work longer hours and may work evenings. They may also be on call during the night and on weekends.

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians spend a lot of time walking and standing. Those who work in catheterization labs may face stressful working conditions, because they are in close contact with patients who have serious heart ailments. Some patients, for example, may encounter complications from time to time that have life or death implications.

How much will I be paid when I start?

the average salary for cardiovascular technologists was about $33,600 in 1996

FUTURE

Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006, with technologists and technicians experiencing different patterns of employment change. Employment of cardiology technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur as the population ages, because older people have a higher incidence of heart problems. Likewise, employment of vascular technologists will grow faster than the average, as advances in vascular technology reduce the need for more costly and invasive procedures. In contrast, employment of EKG technicians is expected to decline as hospitals train registered nurses and others to perform basic EKG procedures. Individuals trained in Holter monitoring and stress testing are expected to have more favorable job prospects than those who can only perform a basic EKG.

Most job openings for cardiovascular technologists and technicians will arise from replacement needs as individuals transfer to other jobs or leave the labor force. Relatively few job openings due to both growth and replacement needs are expected,
however, because the occupation is small.

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