Looking for quality employees -- list your job advertisement through ACVP and reach THOUSANDS of qualified professionals.

SCOPES OF PRACTICE

ACVP offers members complimentary scopes of practice and associated competencies.  If you are a member, simply request this endorsed document to info@acp-online.org

Scopes of Practice for Cardiovascular Technology

The profession of Cardiovascular Technology was first recognized by the American Medical Association in 1982.  The educational guidelines for cardiovascular technology were approved and adopted in 1985.  Cardiovascular technologists are qualified by specialized training and education to perform established cardiovascular diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at the request or direction of a physician.

The profession of Cardiovascular Technology is a multi-disciplinary science which requires the technologist to be trained and educated in the basic and applied principles of several modalities.  Once training is completed, the cardiovascular technologist will usually specialize and perform procedures in cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, or vascular ultrasound.

Cardiovascular technology is a field recognized by the American Medical Association.

Cardiographic Technician

The position of Cardiograhic Technician is an entry level position, involving technicians working in EKG, stress testing or Holter monitoring.  Technicians working in EKG are trained on the job, as a rule.  Training usually is conducted by an EKG supervisor or a cardiologist and lasts no more than 4 to 6 weeks for the basic “resting’ EKG.  Training for specialized EKG testing, stress testing and Holter monitoring is much more extensive and involves in-depth study of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology.  These programs can involve 18 months to 2 years study.

There are no licensing requirements for EKG technicians and credentialing is voluntary at this time.  The credential awarded to a Cardiographic Technician, upon successful completion of the certified cardiographic examination, is that of Certified Cardiographic Technician.

Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist

The Cardiovascular Technologist specializing in non-invasive cardiovascular technology is a health care professional who, through the use of specific high technology equipment and at the direction or prescription of a qualified physician, performs procedures on patients leading to the diagnoses of congenital heart disease, acquired heart disease, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease.

The technologist is proficient in the use of physiologic analytical equipment during diagnostic procedures.  The non-invasive cardiovascular technologist is trained in advanced life support techniques as the patient population is often at high risk for cardiopulmonary arrest.

The non-invasive cardiovascular technologist performs diagnostic procedures involving patients in the non-invasive cardiovascular laboratory as well as coronary care and medical / surgical intensive care unit environments.  The technologist may perform procedures in hospitals, specialized clinics and private offices.  The non-invasive cardiovascular technologist is a highly specialized diagnostician of the various presentations of cardiac and cardiovascular disease.

The credential awarded to the non-invasive cardiovascular technologist upon completion of the non-invasive registry examination is that of Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS).

Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist

The invasive cardiovascular technologist is a medical professional who is highly skilled and trained in the applied science of invasive cardiovascular technology with experience in all aspects of diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures and who has demonstrated proficiency and knowledge through a credentialing examination.

Academic training in the science of invasive cardiovascular technology includes: a bachelor of science degree, an associate of science degree awarded from a two-year course of study, or a certificate of completion awarded from a hospital, trade, or technical cardiovascular educational program.  Qualifying programs have been accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or an equivalently accredited allied health or science degree with practical experience.  Confirmation of educational preparation, knowledge, and competence is evidenced by the achievement of professional credentials in invasive technology.

The invasive cardiovascular technologist position generally requires working in a cardiac catheterization laboratory or special procedures laboratory.  The cardiac cath lab provides professional cardiovascular care to the patient undergoing cardiac evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for cardiovascular disease known or suspected or for cardiac anomalies.

In this setting, the procedures require either puncture or incision of an artery or vein which is used to thread a thin catheter that will traverse the vessel and position itself in the heart or adjoining arteries or veins.  This position requires high levels of understanding of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, radiation, physics and safety, as well as radiological imaging and positioning.  In some instances, an understanding of Intra-Aortic Balloon pumping is necessary depending on the acuity of the patient and the complexity of procedures performed in this setting.

Accuracy in waveform and hemodynamic analysis and measurement, preparing and administering medications, acquiring a viable image and proper sterile procedure are all prerequisites for a person in this position.

The credential awarded to the invasive cardiovascular technologist, upon completion of the invasive registry examination, is that of Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS).

Pulmonary Function Technologist

The pulmonary technologist is an allied health professional specifically concerned with the diagnosis and detection of a patient’s pulmonary anatomy and physiology as well as treatment of related diseases.  The technologist performs pulmonary testing at the request of and under the direction of a physician.

The technologist is proficient in the use of analytical equipment and sundry apparatus including placing such equipment on or into the patient or placing the patient on or into the equipment.  Through subjective sampling and/or recording, the technologist proceeds with the examination to develop an easily definable foundation of data from which a correct anatomic and physiologic diagnosis may be established for each patient.

The pulmonary technologist should have a background and/or demonstrate competency in the areas of: cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, biology, chemistry, computer science, pathophysiology, pulmonary pharmacology, physics, medical terminology, medical instrumentation, and medical/legal ethics.  The pulmonary technologist therefore is a highly specialized diagnostician of the various presentations of pulmonary disease.

Supervised by a licensed physician, a pulmonary technologist is employed in a variety of practice settings such as hospitals, clinics, private practice offices, home care facilities, free-standing medical facilities, rehabilitation centers, diagnostic centers, educational institutions, research facilities, and government institutions.

In any patient care, pulmonary laboratory or clinic setting, the pulmonary technologist has the responsibility for selecting and setting up of equipment, instructing patients and obtaining maximum cooperation, performing procedures, supervising other personnel who are performing procedures, monitoring patient response, calculating test results, evaluation the reliability of the test results, and evaluating patient performance and clinical implications.


Salary Information

ACVP performed a salary survey across our membership.  A strong cross section of the membership responded from which to make a determination regarding salary comparisons and determinations.  For information, please click here.