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Cardiology Technologist

Cardiology technologists use a variety of equipment to test, record, and analyze a patient’s heart performance.

Also Known As

Cardiac Device Technologist, Cardiovascular Technologist, EKG Technologist, Electrophysiology Technologist, Health Care Technologist, Heart Health Technologist, Medical Technologist, Pacemaker Technologist, RCT

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 31, 2024

Cardiology technologists test, monitor, and evaluate heart rhythms within a multidisciplinary health-care team. They may use various types of electronic monitoring equipment for:

  • Electrocardiography
  • Multistage stress testing
  • Holter monitor analysis
  • Arrhythmia monitor analysis
  • Tilt table testing
  • Pacemaker clinics
  • Blood pressure analysis
  • Cardioversion clinics
  • Electrophysiology testing

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 and other medical staff, such as laboratory technicians, nurses, and residents
  • Help with research projects

Cardiology technologists must keep up to date with changing technologies. They are expected to maintain yearly continuing education requirements.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

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

Cardiology technologists must follow standard procedures to control infections.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
I
Investigative
S
Social
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Cardiology technologists
2023 OaSIS: 32123.01

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

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

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Cardiology technologists work with a wide range of people. Their patients may fear test procedures, be in extreme pain, or have complex needs. Technologists need:

  • Professionalism, maturity, and self-confidence
  • Empathy and the ability to reassure patients
  • An orientation to detail
  • 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 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 1 year post-secondary

Employers may prefer to hire graduates of a related 2-year diploma program. 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 program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

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.

 

The following schools also offer online and in-person programs in 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 31, 2024
  • Certification Not regulated

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

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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 different training (see the Medical Laboratory Technologist occupational profile).

Without further education, chances to advance in this occupation are limited. Cardiology technologists can advance into electrophysiology labs, pacemaker clinics, cardiac rehab clinics, cath labs, medical device specialist roles, and research positions.

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.

Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 3217

95.2% of people in this occupational group work in:

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 examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
2021 NOC: 32123
Balanced
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

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 examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

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

Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
2016 NOC: 3217
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
1
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

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 examples, see Note.

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

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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 31, 2024. 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.

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