Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists
(NOC 3217)
in All HealthCardiology technologists use medical imaging technologies to record cardiac activity of patients to help diagnose and treat heard disease. Electrophysiological diagnostic technologists use diagnostic equipment to help physicians diagnose, injuries, and abnormalities. Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this group. They work for clinics, hospitals, and medical laboratories.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
Read more
Compared to: All Health
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists may either be working full-time or part-time hours.
The median employment income for 50% of Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $52,976. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$26.00
Minimum$27.90
Median$29.77
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$41,103
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.38
Minimum$30.45
Median$41.35
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Cardiology technologists use medical imaging technologies to record cardiac activity of patients to help diagnose and treat heard disease. Electrophysiological diagnostic technologists use diagnostic equipment to help physicians diagnose, injuries, and abnormalities. Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this group. They work for clinics, hospitals, and medical laboratories.
Job duties
Cardiology technologists:
- Use equipment to record cardiac activity of patients.
- Complete cardiovascular procedures and tests like 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 maintain cardiology equipment to make sure it works properly.
- 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.
- Use diagnostic equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain and cranial and central nervous systems.
- Use electromyographic equipment to carry out electrophysiological nerve conduction velocity tests and to help physicians complete tests like muscle strength and repetitive stimulation.
- Take notes on the recorded graph to identify interference like poor electrode contact or patient movement.
- Prepare recordings and reports of findings for physicians to help diagnose neurological disorders.
- Check, calibrate, and maintain diagnostic equipment.
- Train and supervise students, technicians, or other electroencephalograph technologists.
Sample job titles
- cardiology technician
- cardiovascular technologist
- echoencephalography technician
- electrocardiographic (ECG) technologist
- electrocardiology technician
- electroencephalograph (EEG) technologist
- electromyography (EMG) technician
- vascular technologist
Skills
You should be interested in medicine and health. Manual dexterity and good coordination are necessary. You must be able to deal with people in a mature, tactful, and professional way. You should also be comfortable working with instruments, apparatus, and technology. A background in science would be helpful.
Job requirements
- Cardiology technologists require a two-year college diploma program in cardiology technology and supervised practical training.
- Cardiology technologists require registration with the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists in Nova Scotia.
- Electroencephalograph and other diagnostic technologists require a two-year college or hospital-based program in electrophysiology technology and supervised practical training.
- Registration with the Canadian Board of Electroencephalograph Technologists is available for electroencephalograph technologists and is usually required by employers.
- Registration with the Association of Electromyography Technologists of Canada is available for electromyography technologists and is usually required by employers.
Other considerations
While most people in these jobs work full-time, part-time and casual work arrangements are common.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
North Shore
Halifax
Cape Breton
Southern
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
25-34
45-54
35-44
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
$41,002 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
N/AMedicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry
N/ATrades certificate
N/ACompared to: All Health
College certificate or diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Cardiovascular technology/technologist
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to perform invasive, non-invasive, and peripheral examinations of the cardiovascular system at the request of physicians to aid in diagnoses and therapeutic treatments. These programs include courses in reviewing and recording patient histories and clinical data; patient care; investigative and examination procedures; diagnostic procedures; data analysis and documentation; physician consultation; equipment operation and monitoring; and professional standards and ethics.
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.