Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists

(NOC 3217)

in All Health

Cardiology technologists operate electrocardiogram equipment and use medical imaging technologies to record cardiac activity of patients to aid in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of heart disease. Electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, not elsewhere classified, operate electroencephalographic, electromyographic and other electrophysiological diagnostic equipment to assist physicians in diagnosing diseases, injuries and abnormalities. Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists who are supervisors or instructors are included in this group. They are employed in clinics, hospitals and medical laboratories.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
Estimate openings due to growth and retirements not available for this occupation.
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Health

Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 4385 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2016

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. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.

The median employment income for 60% 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

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$41,103

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Health

Hourly Pay

$16.38

Minimum

$25.50

Median

$41.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$10,740

Minimum

$43,853

Median

$88,944

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Cardiology technologists perform some or all of the following duties:

Operate electrocardiogram and other electronic equipment to record cardiac activity of patients.
Perform cardiovascular procedures and tests, such as 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 perform routine maintenance of cardiology equipment to ensure proper operation.
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 perform some or all of the following duties:

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.
Operate diagnostic equipment such as electroencephalographic and evoked potential equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain and cranial and central nervous systems.
Operate electromyographic equipment to conduct electrophysiological nerve conduction velocity tests and to assist physicians in conducting electrophysiological tests such as muscle strength and repetitive stimulation.
Take notes on the recorded graph to identify interference such as poor electrode contact or patient movement.
Prepare recordings and reports of findings for physicians to aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders.
Check, calibrate and perform routine maintenance of 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

To work in these fields, 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 completion of 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 completion of 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

Although the majority of people in these jobs are employed full-time, part-time and casual work arrangements are common.

By the numbers

Quick look

employed in 2016

60.0%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

100.0%

48.3

median age

Compared to: All Health

36,515

employed in 2016

77.1%

employed full-time

10.2%

self employed

83.6%

16.4%

43.5

median age

Where will I likely work?

31.8%

Northern

31.8%

Halifax

27.3%

Cape Breton

9.1%

Southern

9.1%

Annapolis Valley

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

94.7%

Health Care and Social Assistance

5.3%

Other Industries

What is the age of Employment?

30.8%

25-34

30.8%

45-54

30.8%

55-64

Compared to: All Health

31.4%

45-54

27.6%

35-44

20.5%

55-64

15.2%

25-34

4.9%

65+

Top levels of education

63.6%

College certificate or diploma

$67,058 median annual income

18.2%

Bachelor's degree

$62,116 median annual income

9.1%

Trades certificate

N/A

9.1%

High school

N/A

9.1%

Master's degree

N/A

Compared to: All Health

39.4%

College certificate or diploma

$36,693 median annual income

27.6%

Bachelor's degree

$57,186 median annual income

7.2%

Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry

$83,000 median annual income

6.9%

High school

$24,119 median annual income

5.1%

Master's degree

$87,808 median annual income

Education & training

Cardiovascular technology/technologist

This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.

This instructional program class comprises 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.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.