How to Become a Cardiovascular Technologist

1. Complete a Training Program (2 - 4 Years)

While few are trained on the job today, most get their training via 2 - 4 year programs at local junior or community colleges, technical schools, or vocational schools with one year dedicated to core classes and the other to one of the aforementioned cardiovascular technologist specialties.

Upon completion of specialty instruction, cardiovascular technologists become credentialed in the selected specialty.

Only one year of specialized instruction is needed for qualified personnel from a related allied health field, such as nursing, to obtain certification as a cardiovascular technologist.

2. Earn a Certification

After completing your education program, cardiovascular technologists should seek to obtain a certification through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians (ASPT), or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

CCI includes certifications for non-invasive vascular registry, non-invasive echo registry, registered cardiac sonographer (RCS), and registeredc vascular sonographer (RVS).

Either six months of prior experience in performing EKGs or gruadation from an approved program is necessary in order to apply for an EKG technician certification through ASPT.

In order to complete a certification through ARDMS, certain exam prerequisites must be met. Candidates must take two exams and a third specialty exam in order to earn a certification.

ARDMS offers the most diverse array of certifications to applicants, including registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) certifications in fetal echocardiology, neurosonology, obstetrics, gynecology, breast, and abdomen.

Registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer (RDCS) credentials focus on fetal echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, or adult echocardiography. Registered vascular technologists may also earn an RVT certification.

Training programs should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).