I agree with u/Onion01 . The techs that we use are highly trained and with experience become superior to cardiologists at performing echos. Also, they are not just a “set of hands”. In my practice, there is both peer (between echo techs) and comprehensive (between echo techs and cardiologists) feedback formally on a weekly basis. My echo techs also often also come to me to discuss cases mid-study.

When I read an echo, I essentially benefit from two professional interpretations: mine and the tech’s. This, in addition to the fact that the tech can spend an hour with the patient (I can’t usually do that outside of the cath lab) adds great benefit to the patient.

What echo techs are not great at is the clinical context. They generally do not know which findings lead to certain treatments.

It’s important not to think of echo techs as just image-acquisition tools. A good echo tech is second only to an experienced cardiologist in reading echos.