Cardiovascular Ultrasounds and Who Performs Them
Sonograms performed on the heart are varied, depending on what kind of information you need or what assessment you need to make. There are two main differentiating procedures: electrocardiograms and echocardiograms. The former is used to assess cardiac rhythmicity and the former is a normal sonogram that visualizes the heart (non-invasively). The latter is a popular procedure because it is able to detect any structural and functional problems with the heart. But who performs the procedure? A cardiovascular technologist or a diagnostic medical sonographer?
Medical technology
Technically, both diagnostic medical sonographers (DMS) and cardiovascular technologists are medical technologists – members of the health care team who perform diagnostic procedures with medical equipment. The two professions are quite closely tied, because both are able to use ultrasound machines in assessing the heart and its surrounding structures. There is very little difference between diagnostic medical sonographer and cardiovascular technologist (more information through the link). However, despite very similar job descriptions (especially for sonographers who are specialized in cardiovascular sonography) they have different salaries and employment outcomes. The job of a cardiovascular technologist Technologists are different from technicians. The main difference between the two is that the latter deals mainly with equipment while the former involves more patient care. That said, cardiovascular technologists are trained in using equipment for the diagnosis of conditions of the heart and its supporting structures. They can perform echocardiograms and electrocardiograms and usually assist cardiologists in invasive diagnostic procedures. |
The job of a diagnostic medical sonographer
On the other hand, the sonographer specializes in procedures that use ultrasound. They are not only confined to cardiac sonography; they are also specialized in performing an ultrasound on other areas and systems of the body. Sonographers who specialize in the cardiovascular system are able to perform echocardiograms and its variations. Unlike cardiovascular technologists, sonographers have to get certified (by an accrediting body like the DMS or CCI) in order to practice.
Comparisons
According to the 2013 reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ultrasound technicians earn $67,170 annually, with a mean hourly wage of $32.29. Cardiovascular sonographers earn more than that, averaging around $70,000 to $80,000 annually in certain places in the country. Cardiovascular technologists earn much less at $53,990 annually, from an hourly wage of $25.95. Still, there numbers are much higher than the nationwide average salary of $46,440, with extremes of $235,070 (anesthesiologists) and $18,870 (Fast Food Cooks).
When deciding on your career path, the main difference between DMS and cardiovascular technology is the amount of patient care you want to be able to perform. DMS is much more specialized, being able to perform other diagnostic sonography procedures (hence needing a certificate). Cardiovascular technologists are focused on the cardiovascular system and are able to factor in a certain amount of patient care with interventional procedures they can perform.
On the other hand, the sonographer specializes in procedures that use ultrasound. They are not only confined to cardiac sonography; they are also specialized in performing an ultrasound on other areas and systems of the body. Sonographers who specialize in the cardiovascular system are able to perform echocardiograms and its variations. Unlike cardiovascular technologists, sonographers have to get certified (by an accrediting body like the DMS or CCI) in order to practice.
Comparisons
According to the 2013 reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ultrasound technicians earn $67,170 annually, with a mean hourly wage of $32.29. Cardiovascular sonographers earn more than that, averaging around $70,000 to $80,000 annually in certain places in the country. Cardiovascular technologists earn much less at $53,990 annually, from an hourly wage of $25.95. Still, there numbers are much higher than the nationwide average salary of $46,440, with extremes of $235,070 (anesthesiologists) and $18,870 (Fast Food Cooks).
When deciding on your career path, the main difference between DMS and cardiovascular technology is the amount of patient care you want to be able to perform. DMS is much more specialized, being able to perform other diagnostic sonography procedures (hence needing a certificate). Cardiovascular technologists are focused on the cardiovascular system and are able to factor in a certain amount of patient care with interventional procedures they can perform.