Cardiovascular technologists help diagnose and treat patients with heart and blood vessel ailments. These health care providers should be in pretty good shape, as they’re on their feet most of the day. They may have to help patients who are unable to get around easily themselves, and wear lead aprons to protect themselves from radiation exposure during some tests. Along with a firm grasp on the technology used, they should also have a good bedside manner with patients.

Stephanie Power’s 9-year-old daughter had an assignment from school to dress up like a hero. But instead of stepping into a Spider-Man suit or Batman costume, she wore scrubs to school, telling her class, "My mom helps sick people and saves lives."

"She was the only one not dressed up as a superhero," Power says. "She was dressed up as me. I couldn’t be more proud and humbled."

Power earned this superhero status through her role as a cardiovascular technologist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Patients come to Power when they’re experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, irregular heartbeats or shortness of breath. She’s responsible for preparing the patient and taking the X-ray images that show what’s going on in the blood vessels, arteries and heart so the physician can diagnose and treat the cardiovascular issue.

"We see the good, the bad and the really really bad," Power says. "We have patients come in walking and talking and then the worst happens. I try to treat everyone like a person, not a patient. I look into everyone’s eyes and see a mom, a dad, a grandparent, someone’s son or daughter. If it truly is someone’s time to go and my face is the last one they see, I at least have peace knowing it was a kind one for them."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.7% employment growth for cardiovascular technologists between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,200 jobs should open up.

There are both bachelor’s and associate degrees in cardiovascular technology. Generally, these programs will include courses in subjects such as anatomy, applied sciences and invasive and noninvasive cardiovascular technology, among others. If professionals are coming to this health care sector by way of a related health care field, such as radiation therapy, they can receive on-the-job training in cardiovascular technology.

Each state differs when it comes to licensure and certification standards, but employers typically like their cardiovascular technologists to get certified through an organization such as The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.