Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests. Includes vascular technologists.
<ul><li>Conduct electrocardiogram (EKG), phonocardiogram, echocardiogram, stress testing, or other cardiovascular tests to record patients' cardiac activity, using specialized electronic test equipment, recording devices, or laboratory instruments.</li><li>Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.</li><li>Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.</li><li>Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.</li><li>Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.</li><li>Prepare and position patients for testing.</li><li>Attach electrodes to the patients' chests, arms, and legs, connect electrodes to leads from the electrocardiogram (EKG) machine, and operate the EKG machine to obtain a reading.</li><li>Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.</li><li>Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.</li><li>Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.</li></ul>