Description:
Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary-functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.
Tasks
- Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic and 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.
- Explain testing procedures to patient to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
- Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
- Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, and laboratory instruments.
- Prepare and position patients for testing.
- Obtain and record patient identification, medical history or test results.
- Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.
- Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
- Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
- Customer and Personal Service
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Computers and Electronics
- Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Education and Training
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Mathematics
- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Biology
- Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Psychology
- Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Public Safety and Security
- Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Clerical
- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Skills
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Operation Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity
- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Near Vision
- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension
- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression
- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Speech Clarity
- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Written Comprehension
- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Inductive Reasoning
- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Information Ordering
- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Perceptual Speed
- The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
- Flexibility of Closure
- The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Getting Information
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Interacting With Computers
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Work Context
- Contact With Others
- How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
- Telephone
- How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
- Physical Proximity
- To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
- Face-to-Face Discussions
- How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
- Exposed to Disease or Infections
- How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
- Work With Work Group or Team
- How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
- Deal With External Customers
- How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Interests
- Realistic
- Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Investigative
- Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Social
- Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Conventional
- Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Enterprising
- Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Artistic
- Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Work Style
- Integrity
- Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Dependability
- Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Stress Tolerance
- Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Attention to Detail
- Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Concern for Others
- Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
- Cooperation
- Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Self Control
- Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Independence
- Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Persistence
- Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Initiative
- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Work Value
- Relationships
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Support
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Independence
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Achievement
- Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Working Conditions
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Recognition
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Related Occupations
- Respiratory Therapists
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Radiologic Technologists
- Radiologic Technicians
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Dental Assistants
- Medical Assistants
Common Lay Titles
- ARRT Technologist (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Technologist)
- Cardiac Catherization Laboratory Technologist
- Cardiac Catheterization Special Procedures Technologist
- Cardiac Catheterization Technician
- Cardiac Catheterization Technologist
- Cardiac Monitor Technician
- Cardiac Technician
- Cardiograph Operator
- Cardiographer
- Cardiology Technician
- Cardiology Technologist
- Cardiopulmonary Technician
- Cardiopulmonary Technologist
- Cardiovascular Interventional Technologist
- Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
- Cardiovascular Radiologic Technologist
- Cardiovascular Sonographer
- Cardiovascular Technician
- Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT)
- Cardiovascular Ultrasound Sonographer
- CATH Lab Radiological Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Radiological Technologist)
- Cath Lab RN (Catheterization Laboratory Registered Nurse)
- Cath Lab Specialist (Catheterization Laboratory Specialist)
- Cath Lab Tech (Catheterization Laboratory Technologist)
- Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)
- Certified Cardiology Technologist (CCT)
- Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician (CRTT)
- Computed Tomography Technologist (CTT)
- Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician
- Echo Tech (Echocardiography Technician)
- Echo/Vascular Tech (Echocardiology/Vascular Technician)
- Echocardiogram Technician
- Echocardiograph Technician
- Echocardiographer
- Echocardiographic Technologist
- Echocardiology Technologist
- EEG Technician (Electroencephalogram Technician)
- EKG/ECG Technician (Electrocardiogram Technician)
- Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Technician)
- Electrocardiograph Operator
- Electrocardiograph Technician
- Electrocardiographic Technician
- Holter Scanning Technician
- Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist
- Perfusionist
- Pulmonary Function Technician
- Pulmonary Function Technologist
- Radiographer
- Radiological Technologist
- Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
- Respiratory Therapist (RT)
- Special Procedures Radiological Technologist
- Stress Test Technician
- Telemetry Technician
- Vascular Technician
- Vascular Technologist
- X-Ray Technologist