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Cardiology Technologist
Cardiology technologists perform cardiology tests to provide information needed in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
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Avg. Salary $62,914.00
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Avg. Wage $36.60
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Minimum Education 1 year post-secondary
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Outlook N/A
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In Demand High
Also Known As
Health Care Technologist, Heart Health Technologist, Medical Technologist
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $30.64 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $36.60 |
| Top | $40.07 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
NOC & Interest Codes
The Cardiology Technologist is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Cardiology Technologists
NOC code: 3217
- OBJECTIVE
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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
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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
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Interest in compiling and recording the results of cardiac activity to aid in the diagnosis of heart disease; may analyze tests
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 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.
Duties
Updated Apr 10, 2017
Cardiology technologists work with other health care professionals involved in diagnostic testing, monitoring and heart function evaluation. They may use a variety 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, cardiology technologists:
- prepare patients for testing by explaining procedures
- obtain medical history information
- ensure patient comfort and safety during procedures
- implement resuscitation measures when necessary
- prepare testing information from diagnostic procedures for physician interpretation
- immediately notify physicians and nursing staff when they recognize life-threatening arrhythmias (heartbeats)
- maintain equipment and troubleshoot technical problems
- administer certrain drugs under the supervision of physicians
- supervise or train students in cardiology technology programs
- assist in research projects.
Cardiology technologists must keep up to date with changing technologies.
Working Conditions
Updated Apr 10, 2017
Cardiology technologists work rotating shifts in health care environments. Their work is physically demanding: they are on their feet most of the time and may be expected to help lift and move patients who cannot move on their own.
Cardiology technologists must follow standard infection control procedures.
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Apr 10, 2017
Cardiology technologists work with people who are not feeling well and may be afraid of test procedures. Technologists must be:
- professional, mature and self-confident
- able to communicate empathy and reassurance to patients
- able to pay close attention to details
- able to think and act quickly and appropriately in emergency situations
- able to work with little direct supervision
- able to function well as part of a team
- organized.
They should enjoy working with computers and electronic equipment at tasks requiring precision, having clear guidelines and established methods for their work, and compiling and recording test results.
Educational Requirements
Updated Apr 10, 2017
Employers may prefer to hire graduates with related two-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 Cardiology Technologists (ASCT).
In eastern Canada, the following post-secondary schools offer training programs related to cardiology technology:
- Everest College in Hamilton, Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario.
- Mowhawk College of Applied Art and Technology in Hamilton, Ontario.
In general, the entrance requirement is a high school diploma with related science courses, or equivalent. For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Employment & Advancement
Updated Apr 10, 2017
Most cardiology technologists work in hospital cardiology departments. Some are employed in private laboratories and clinics. In smaller rural hospitals, they may have other duties (for example, medical laboratory services) which require additional training (see the Medical Laboratory Technologist occupational profile).
Without additional education, advancement opportunities in this occupation are limited.
Cardiology technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3217: Cardiology Technologists and Electrophysiological Diagnostic Technologists, n.e.c. In Alberta, 98% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
- size of the occupation.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Wage & Salary
Updated Apr 10, 2017
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $25.00 | $38.03 | $30.64 | $28.90 |
| Overall | $29.50 | $47.97 | $36.60 | $34.04 |
| Top | $35.00 | $49.04 | $40.07 | $37.48 |
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.
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.
Industry Information
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $62,997.00 |
|---|---|
| ALBERTA, ALL INDUSTRIES | $62,914.00 |
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
2015 Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related High School Subjects
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English Language Arts
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Mathematics
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Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
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Health, Recreation and Human Services
- Health Care Services
- Human and Social Services
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
- Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Apr 10, 2017
Alberta Society of Cardiology Technologists (ASCT) website: www.asrct.com
Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) website: www.csct.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 20, 2014. 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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