Electrocardiograph Technician

Duties and responsibilities: Electrocardiogram technicians use special equipment and medical techniques to record the electrical impulses transmitted by a patient's heart. Data acquired by electrocardiogram technicians assists physicians and cardiologists in diagnosing medical conditions in patients. They typically work 40 hours a week, although occasional weekend work might be required as well. An electrocardiogram technician performs an ECG by attaching electrodes to a patient and then pulling switches on an ECG machine to trace electrical impulses transmitted by the heart.

Salary: $34,385 per year

Education: Certificate or associate's degree in cardiovascular technology. Professional certifications are preferred; a few states require licensing, for which certification is often necessary.

Reflection: I would not want to be in this career because I don't really want to be a doctor.