There are various medical professionals at a healthcare facility, with others having specialties. For example, a hospital will have a dentist(for the teeth), a gynecologist( for the female reproductive system), a pedestrian(specializing in children), and cardiovascular technicians, among others.
Cardiovascular technicians, like Dr. Ian Weisberg, are skilled medical professionals who perform cardiac procedures and tests. An electrophysiologic technician, or a cardiac electrophysiologic tech, is a cardiovascular professional specializing in the heart’s electric pathways. They help cardiologists during cardiac–heart-related tests and procedures.
What are the Responsibilities of a Cardiac Electrophysiology Technician?
A cardiac electrophysiologist can be a cardiologist with additional training who can diagnose and manage different heart disorders, also known as arrhythmias. Other duties of an electrophysiologic tech include;
- Patient preparation for tests and procedures
- Mapping a cardiovascular system with specialized medical equipment
- Monitoring a patient’s heartbeat pattern
- Reading data from electrocardiograms (EKGs)
- Monitoring and maintaining cardiovascular equipment
- Helping physicians install medical devices, such as pacemakers
You can work in various medical settings as a cardiac electrophysiology, including public and private hospitals and clinics.
How to Become a Cardiac Electrophysiologic
Earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to become an electrophysiology technician. You can earn the degree in either of the following fields;
- Biology
- Nursing
- Cardiovascular technology
- Anatomy
- Electrophysiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
It can take up to four years to complete a bachelor’s degree, while an associate’s degree lasts two years. After getting your certification, explore your career options. If it’s your first time, start as a medical assistant or laboratory technician to gain professional experience.
If you are already in the medical field, you can also opt for other cardiovascular technician roles, like a vascular sonographer, before moving into the electrophysiology specialty.
As a cardiac electrophysiologist, you must develop hard and soft skills to help you navigate the field. You will learn some of the skills through your professional experience and education, with the most crucial being;
- Attention to detail
- Good verbal and written communication
- Physical stamina and endurance
- Steady hand and excellent coordination
- Interpersonal skills like compassion and empathy
- Technical knowledge and skills
Some states require cardiac technicians to obtain licensing to practice their specialty.
What is the Salary of a Cardiac Electrophysiologist?
As of January 9th 2024, the average salary of a cardiac electrophysiologist in the United States is $357,482 annually. The electrophysiologist earns approximately $172 per hour, equivalent to $6874 weekly and $29790 monthly. However, the salary may vary depending on the demand of the specialty in your working region, experience, and your employer’s ability to pay.
Although optional, having additional certification in this field may qualify you for more roles and higher pay. Some of the common certifications you can consider having include;
- Registered Vascular Specialist
- Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES)
- Vascular Sonography certification
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) certification
- Registered Cardiac Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
The certification requirements vary but generally require you to complete all education requirements, including meeting the clinical hours and passing tests.
The LowDown
A cardiac electrophysiologist will evaluate your heart’s electrical system to check for abnormal heart rhythms. To become an electrophysiologist technician, you need specialized training and education.
The training required is lengthy, up to eight years after medical school, with three years of internal medical residency, three years of clinical cardiology fellowship, and two years as a clinical cardiac electrophysiology.
