Skip to the main content
This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Cardiology Technologist

Cardiology technologists perform tests to provide information needed to diagnose and treat heart disease.

Also Known As

Health Care Technologist, Heart Health Technologist, Medical Technologist

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 3217: Cardiology Technologists

2006 NOC-S

  • D217: Cardiology Technologists

2011 NOC

  • 3217: Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.

2016 NOC

  • 3217: Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.

2021 NOC

  • 32123: Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists

2023 OaSIS

  • 32123.01: Cardiology technologists
Duties
Updated Mar 14, 2018

Cardiology technologists work with other health care professionals who test, monitor and evaluate heart function. They may use various types of electronic monitoring equipment for:

  • electrocardiography
  • multi-stage stress testing
  • Holter monitor analysis
  • arrhythmia monitor analysis
  • tilt table testing
  • pacemaker clinics
  • blood pressure analysis.

In general, they:

  • explain procedures to patients
  • gather information about the patient’s medical history
  • ensure patient comfort and safety during procedures
  • conduct emergency resuscitation when necessary
  • prepare test results for doctors to interpret
  • alert doctors and nurses to any signs of life-threatening arrhythmias (heartbeats)
  • maintain equipment
  • spot and fix technical problems with equipment
  • give medications (under doctor supervision)
  • supervise or train cardiology technology students
  • assist in research projects.

Cardiology technologists must keep up to date with changing technologies.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 14, 2018
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

Cardiology technologists do shift work in health-care settings. The work is physically demanding. They are on their feet most of the time. They sometimes lift and move patients who cannot move on their own.

Cardiology technologists must follow standard procedures to control infections.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Cardiology Technologists

2006 NOC: 3217

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating electrocardiogram and other electronic equipment to record cardiac activity of patients; in checking cardiology equipment to ensure proper operation; and in reprogramming pacemakers according to standards

METHODICAL

Interest in speaking with physicians and other health care professionals about test results; in performing cardiovascular procedures and tests, such as electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, ambulatory monitoring and scanning of tapes, pacemaker analysis and follow-up, and echocardiogram; and in providing patients with care during procedures and tests; may administer certain drugs under direct supervision of physicians; may document and record pacemaker implant threshold measurements under direct supervision of cardiac surgeon

innovative

Interest in compiling and recording the results of cardiac activity to aid in the diagnosis of heart disease; may analyze tests

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 14, 2018

Cardiology technologists work with people who feel ill. Their patients may fear test procedures. Technologists need to possess:

  • professionalism, maturity and self-confidence
  • empathy and the ability to reassure patients
  • the ability to be detail-oriented
  • the ability to respond quickly and appropriately in emergencies
  • the ability to work with little direct supervision
  • the ability to work as part of a team.

They should enjoy:

  • detailed work
  • using computers and electronic equipment
  • following guidelines and methods
  • compiling and recording test results.
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 14, 2018
  • Minimum Education 1 year post-secondary

Employers may prefer to hire graduates with related 2-year diploma programs. Alberta employers generally require applicants for cardiology technology positions to be registered members of the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) and the Alberta Society of Registered Cardiology Technologist​s (ASRCT).


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

British Columbia Institute of Technology
Stenberg College

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

 

In Hamilton, Ontario, Mohawk College’s Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster offers training related to cardiology technology.

In general, the entrance requirement is a high school diploma with related science courses or equivalents. For current information about programs and admission requirements and policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 14, 2018
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 14, 2018

Most cardiology technologists work in hospital cardiology departments. Some work in private labs and clinics. In smaller rural hospitals, they may have other duties (for example, medical lab services) that require more training (see the Medical Laboratory Technologist occupational profile).

Without further education, chances to advance in this occupation are limited.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 3217: Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. occupational group, 95.2% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 3217: Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 0 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years. 

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 14, 2018

For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.

2016 NOC: 3217
Average Wage
$41.56
Per Hour
Average Salary
$73,354.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.6
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3217 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $29.84 $45.10 $33.46 $29.84
Overall $35.91 $57.46 $41.56 $36.66
Top $38.71 $58.75 $43.87 $39.30

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 14, 2018

Alberta Society of Registered Cardiology Technologist​s (ASRCT) website: www.asrct.com

Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) website: www.csct.ca

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 14, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

Was this page useful?