How To Become A Cardiac Technologist In Australia?

Do you look for a career in medicine to serve people and save them from life-threatening diseases? If yes, a career as a cardiac technologist is for you.

Cardiac Technologists provide technical services to investigate, diagnose, and treat heart ailments. They use specialised equipment, laboratory instruments and recording devices to perform tests to record heart activity in a patient.

To work as a cardiac technologist in Australia, you need a bachelor's degree in science focusing on biophysics, nursing, health, physiology and exercise.

This article discusses the fundamental requirements, academic qualifications, courses, degrees, earning potential (salary), job outlook, and steps to pursue this career.

1. Who Are Cardiac Technologists?

Cardiac technologists examine, analyse, monitor, and treat heart diseases and irregularities in support of heart specialists and other medical practitioners.

They operate an array of specialist equipment to provide valuable data to the cardiology team and offer patients timely care.

Cardiac technicians usually work under the constant direction of trained cardiologists and surgeons.

2. Why Should You Become A Cardiac Technologist?

No human can survive without the proper functioning of the heart. Cardiac technologists are the first to diagnose and treat heart and vascular problems. Their input is precious in saving a patient's life.

Listed below are a few reasons why you should pursue this noble profession:

Ensure The Safety of Patients

Cardiovascular technologists use medical technologies such as sonography equipment and EKG machines. They use it to detect dangerous cardiovascular irregularities, including hypertensive heart ailment, arterial blockages, etc.

Timely and precise detection saves patients from emergency conditions and helps them live longer and healthier lives.

High Demand

A career in cardiology is not just emotionally fulfilling but also lucrative. Cardiovascular technologists are well-paid and in great demand throughout the healthcare sector.

Gain Extensive Knowledge of The Circulatory System

A cardiac technologist qualification allows you to perform various tests to determine blood flow, venal strength, and arterial.

You gain good invasive and non-invasive cardiology knowledge. It includes cardiac catheterisation, echocardiography, ultrasound imaging, vascular technology, heart monitoring during surgery, and operating heart testing equipment.

Share Close Bond With Patients

Most of us share formal and professional relations at the workplace. This is different when working in the cardiac technologist profession. You meet new people daily and develop friendships and close bonds with your patients.

Working to meet the medical needs of infants, children, young adults, and the elderly makes the career satisfying and worth pursuing.

You Don't Need a Degree

Another good thing about this profession is that you do not require a degree. Unlike other medical professionals requiring extensive education and training, aspiring cardiovascular technologists need around two years of allied healthcare training to get certified and offer their services.

Many training schools run online classes so that you can study at your place while managing other things in your life.

Good Scope of Specialisation

Your learning continues after becoming a qualified cardiac technician. The field presents opportunities to specialise in different areas of cardiovascular technology. Some of these areas include echocardiography, vascular technology, and electrocardiography. It helps you to keep enhancing your skills and knowledge.

Work-Life Balance

The daily job of a cardiac technician requires you to work in a lab or a physician's office. In addition to a non-travelling job, professionals usually have a 9-to-5 work schedule. In this way, the job helps you seek a balance between your social life and work life.

3. What Areas Do You Need To Study?

Cardiac technologists are familiar with a medical history of a patient. Depending on their condition, they prepare patients for different cardiac procedures, including electrocardiograms and stress tests. Furthermore, professionals adjust the equipment's settings and prepare them for cardiologists.

To qualify and work as a cardiac technologist, you need to have a good knowledge of the following areas:

Medicine

Detecting and treating human diseases, injuries, and deformities includes preventive healthcare measures.

Computers And Electronics

To safely operate electronic heart testing machines and equipment to detect irregularities and ailments.

Furthermore, a cardiac technician may also conduct administrative work, such as word processing, stenography, records management, transcription, forms designing, and other office work.

Biology And Chemistry

A cardiac technician also requires a good understanding of the human body, including cellular structure, tissues, and the functioning of different body organs.

Good knowledge of the structure, properties, and composition of chemicals and their impact on the body is required.

English language

Knowledge of English and the native language (if working overseas) is essential to communicate with people effectively.

Psychology And Counselling

As a cardiac technologist must serve several people daily, understanding human behaviour is desirable.

4. Duties Of A Cardiac Technologist In Australia

Here is a detailed list of the daily duties of a cardiac technician in Australia:

• Set up medical devices, prepare patients for invasive cardiovascular procedures, and connect patients to heart testing and monitoring equipment.

• Operate specialised equipment to diagnose and monitor disorders of the kidneys, heart, and nervous system.

• Carry out non-medical procedures that are essential for the diagnosis 

• Operate ultrasound equipment to perform the heart scan, obtain and measure heart images to evaluate blood flow and abnormalities in valves 

• Examine the cardiac response of patients by using electrocardiography recording or making them exercise on a stationary bicycle, treadmill

• Supervise and record blood pressure and ECG data over 24 hours and identify any abnormalities in the pattern and rhythm of the heart

• Measure the heartbeat and heart rate of the patient

• Test attached cardiac pacemakers using computerised equipment.

• Assess the functioning of the patient's cardiovascular system and prepare reports for the cardiologist's interpretation

• Study the impact of cardiovascular medications and diseases using clinical techniques.

• Perform administrative tasks such as maintaining the cardiovascular equipment, filing medical records, and fixing appointments

5. What Skills Are Desirable In A Cardiac Technician In Australia?

Based on the job profile, the following skills make you the ideal candidate for a cardiac technician role in Australia:

• Good communication skills

• Able to develop good relationships

• Active listening skills

• Attentive, careful, and analytical approach

• Understanding and caring

• Critical thinking

• Professional approach

• Able to follow safety guidelines

• Committed to ongoing learning and professional development

• Able to work as part of a team

• Good problem-solving skills

• Good technical skills in operating complex cardiac equipment

• An eye for detail

• Good hand-eye coordination

• Physical stamina

6. Qualification To Become A Cardiac Technologist In Australia

It is not mandatory to undertake formal education to work as a cardiac technologist in Australia. 

Aspiring candidates can pursue this field by meeting the following academic requirements:

• Should be 17 years and above

• Complete your Year 12 with English, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry

• Complete an undergraduate degree course in Biophysics, Nursing, Physiology, Health Science, or Exercise Physiology.

Alternatively, you can undertake cardiac technologist traineeship programs after Year 12. It is a job-oriented vocational training program that prepares you for a cardiac technologist role.

• The Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry must accredit cardiac technologists operating echocardiograms. Further, they must also have registered with the ASAR record of Accredited Medical Sonographers.

7. What Are The Australian Industry Bodies Related To Cardiology?

• Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand

• Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry

• Medical Radiation Practice

8. How To Become A Cardiac Technologist In Australia?

Becoming a cardiac technologist is simple, with no complex and lengthy qualification requirements:

• You need to earn a bachelor's degree focusing on Biophysics, Nursing, Health Science, Physiology, or Exercise Physiology. 

• You can also get a job by completing a cardiac technologist traineeship program. After completing the training, you can work as a Cardiac care technician at healthcare institutions such as hospitals, cardiac care centres, heart institutes, etc.

While working in your job, you will receive on-the-job training that may help you pursue further learning in Cardiac Technology.

About The Cardiac Technologist Traineeship Program

It is a short-term vocational training course that awards a certificate of completion to candidates upon successful completion.

Eligibility

Aspiring Cardiovascular technicians who have passed Year 12 with Mathematics, Science, and English can undergo a traineeship to secure an entry-level position in the allied healthcare sector.

Mode of Delivery

There is no provision for distance learning. The apprenticeship program comprises a practical approach to teaching testing preparation, patient care, machine operation, and results analysis.

The course duration depends on the institute where you take the training. In most cases, it is around 12 months or less.

The course coming with your apprenticeship is Certificate IV in Cardiac Technology. Medical schools, community colleges, and technical colleges offer this course worldwide. Training, My Skills, and NTISthis are a few nationally accredited institutions to attend the traineeship program.

The Cardiac Care Technician training program offers in-depth learning in cardiac physiological measurements, which includes electrocardiography, exercise stress testing, and Holter monitoring.

Program Contents

The following are the core units of the training program:

• Basic healthcare services

• Human body organs

• Medical terminology

• Cardiovascular system

• Cardiovascular ailments

• Patient Education

• Patient preparation

• Cardiology diagnostics procedures

• Cardiology equipment and devices

• Sample collection, handling, and storage

• Bio-waste management

• Apply First Aid

• Stress Testing

• Adhere to infection control procedures and policies

• Perform electrocardiography (ECG)

• Medical and diagnostic supply management,

• Therapeutic intervention, and

• Assisting the cardiology team (cardiologists and nurses), and

• Communication skills

Occupational titles:

• Cardiac technician

• Cardiac technologist

9. Undergraduate Courses For Cardiac Technologists/ Cardiac Technicians

Students who want to undertake a university-degree course to become a cardiac technologist in Australia can choose from any of the following degree options:

A bachelor's degree in relevant majors includes:

Anatomy and Human Biology

You can study the course at the following universities/colleges in Australia:

• UWA, ACS Distance Education and Monash University

Exercise and Health

• UWA, Deakin University, Victoria University

Physiology

• The University Of Melbourne, UNSW- Sydney, University of Southern Queensland, The University of Western Australia, Victoria University, and The University of Sydney

Sports Science

• Deakin University, University of South Australia, Federation University, Murdoch University, University of the Sunshine coast

Exercise Physiology

• UNSW Sydney, USC, University of South Australia, QUT, JamesCook University, LA Trobe University, Griffith University, UWA, Flinders University

Cardiac Technician Course Perth

• Bachelor Of Echocardiography And Cardiac Physiology / Graduate Diploma Of Echocardiography - CQU University Australia

Cardiac Technician Course Melbourne:

• Bachelor of Science (Physiology) - The University Of Melbourne

10. Work Conditions Of A Cardiac Technologist In Australia

Daily Activities

While on the job, cardiac technologists engage in the following activities:

• Constantly assisting and offering medical attention, and emotional support to people

• Staying on-call catering to the needs of patients

• Handling, controlling, and displacing objects

• Supervising people and processes

• Staying up to date with technological developments

• Performing administrative tasks

• Checking compliance with standards

• Explaining test results to the team and patients.

Workplace

A cardiac technologist can work in different types of settings in a healthcare environment, such as hospitals, catheterisation laboratories, cardiologists' offices, medical clinics, etc. 

Their job involves working in comfortable indoor settings with uninterrupted access to cooling and heating.

Work Hours

Cardiac technicians and technologists generally have regular work hours, i.e., 40 hours. However, those employed in urgent care clinics and 24-hour care centres may need to work weekends, evenings, and nights.

The job of a cardiovascular technician is physically demanding as it involves standing for several hours, moving and manoeuvring patients.

Nature of Employment

Regardless of their site of employment, cardiovascular technicians and technologists work full-time.

Age

The average age of workers employed in this sector is 36 years.

Gender

Out of the total employed cardiac technologists population, 70% of them are female.

Uniform And Accessories

Being surrounded by patients, cardiac technologists may get in contact with infectious diseases. Professionals wear safety gear, including hard hats, safety shoes, gloves, and glasses, to stay protected.

11. How Much Does A Cardiac Technologist Earn In Australia?

In Australia, the average annual salary for Cardiac Technologist jobs range from $50,000 to $60,000. The average per hour is AU$27.78.

Where the starting pay for an entry-level position is $82,176 per year, experienced workers earn up to $98,102 per year.

12. Employment Opportunities And Job Prospects For A Cardiac Technologist

Cardiac Care Technologists are allied healthcare workers who specialise in cardiac care technology. The rapid growth of the healthcare sector has led to an increased demand for a skilled allied healthcare workforce. As per Jobs Outlook data, the industry has seen robust growth in the past five years.

As allied healthcare employees form an essential part of the healthcare industry, the growth will likely continue at the same pace in the coming years.

Cardiac technologists work in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry. They work in metropolitan and regional government-aided and private-run hospitals with dedicated cardiac investigation units.

Victoria is the Australian state that recruits the most cardiac technologists annually. Cardiac ultrasound is one of the potential areas in cardiology that will have high growth in the private sector.

13. Conclusion

Every patient's life depends on a cardiac technologist's skills. With accurate diagnoses and timely treatment, these real-life superheroes help patients survive the terrible situation between life and death.

With the right skills and qualifications, you can make an honourable, stable, and emotionally rewarding career in cardiology.

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