3217- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.

Canada NOC: 
3217
Job Title: 

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

Job Description: 

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 unit group. They are employed in clinics, hospitals and medical laboratories.

Main Duties: 

Cardiology technologists perform some or all of the following duties:


Operate electrocardiogram and other electronic equipment to record cardiac activity of patients
Perform non-invasive 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.

Employment 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 all provinces except Quebec.
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; it is required in Alberta and is usually required by employers in other provinces.
Registration with the Association of Electromyography Technologists of Canada is available for electromyography technologists and is usually required by employers.
Registration with l?Ordre des technologues en imagerie m‚dicale, en radio-oncologie et en ‚lectrophysiologie m‚dicale du Qu‚bec is required for cardiology technologists and electrophysiological technologists in Quebec.

Classified Elsewhere: 

Cardiovascular perfusionists (in 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists)
Cardiology nurse technicians (in 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses)

Source Of Info: 

National Occupation Classification, (2011)

Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada,

February 2012,

Catalogue no. 12-583-X