Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Experience assisting invasive cardiac procedures and performing echocardiograms, electrocardiograms and stress tests directly overlaps cardiovascular diagnostic and procedural work.
How to prepare: Have a prospective employer review your existing education, clinical training, licenses and credentials against the intended cardiac laboratory role and jurisdiction to identify any remaining education or supervised clinical preparation gaps. Some states require a license, and employers may require professional certification and BLS or CPR certification.
What the civilian work involves
- Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.
- Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
- Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
Civilian tools and software (examples)
- Diagnostic image review software