Cardiovascular Technologist
Healthcare
Conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes. May conduct or assist in electrocardiograms, cardiac catheterizations, pulmonary functions, lung capacity, and similar tests.
You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.
What you'd do all day
The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.
- 1Conduct 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.
- 2Compare measurements of heart wall thickness and chamber sizes to standard norms to identify abnormalities.
- 3Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- 4Explain testing procedures to patients to obtain cooperation and reduce anxiety.
- 5Observe ultrasound display screen and listen to signals to record vascular information, such as blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, or cerebral circulation.
- 6Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate using electrocardiogram (EKG) equipment during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures to notify the physician if something appears wrong.
- 7Assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac or peripheral vascular treatments, such as implanting pacemakers or assisting with balloon angioplasties to treat blood vessel blockages.
- 8Obtain and record patient identification, medical history, or test results.
- 9Operate diagnostic imaging equipment to produce contrast enhanced radiographs of heart and cardiovascular system.
- 10Assess cardiac physiology and calculate valve areas from blood flow velocity measurements.
- 11Monitor patients' comfort and safety during tests, alerting physicians to abnormalities or changes in patient responses.
- 12Observe gauges, recorder, and video screens of data analysis system during imaging of cardiovascular system.
- 13Prepare and position patients for testing.
- 14Attach 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.
- 15Inject contrast medium into patients' blood vessels.
- 16Transcribe, type, and distribute reports of diagnostic procedures for interpretation by physician.
- 17Adjust equipment and controls according to physicians' orders or established protocol.
- 18Set up 24-hour Holter and event monitors, scan and interpret tapes, and report results to physicians.
- 19Check, test, and maintain cardiology equipment, making minor repairs when necessary, to ensure proper operation.
- 20Supervise or train other cardiology technologists or students.
- 21Perform general administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments or ordering supplies or equipment.
Also known as
What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.
- MT
- CTT
- CVT
- SPT
- RCIS
- EP Tech
- EEG Tech
- EKG Tech
- Cardio Tech
- Sonographer
How far is this from you?
Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.
1
Entry straight after SPM
2
SPM + sijil / short TVET course
Typical entry
Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)
4
Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)
5
Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route
Subjects that matter here
The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.
What you'd need to know
The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.
- Customer and Personal Service86%
- Medicine and Dentistry78%
BiologyChemistry
- English Language77%
English
- Computers and Electronics66%
Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies
- Education and Training65%
- Mathematics58%
Additional MathematicsMathematics
Tools you'd use
Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.
What the work feels like
Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.
- Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
- Contact with other peopleConstant contact
- Dealing with customers or the publicVery high
- Leading or coordinating othersHigh
- Handling conflict situationsOften
- Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
- Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
- Noisy environmentAlmost never
Where this job is heading
Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.
- Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering telephones, scheduling appointments, or ordering supplies or equipment.
AI and demand for this job
A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.
Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)
This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.
Pay in Malaysia
We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.
Where to check:
- JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
- DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
- SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
Check what you may qualify for
Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.
How to get here
Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.
Related careers
If this interests you, these are worth a look too.
About this information
This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.
O*NET occupation: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org