Cardiovascular Technology, A.A.S.
Launch a heart care career with TCC's Invasive Cardiovascular Technology (ICVT) program. Gain hands-on skills to assist in diagnosing and treating heart conditions.
About the Cardiovascular Technology Degree
Are you fascinated by the heart and eager to make a difference in people's lives? Do you enjoy problem-solving and thrive in detail-oriented tasks that require precision? If so, a Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT) career could be the perfect fit for you! Our Cardiovascular Technology program at TCC will teach you the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this fast-growing field.
You will learn to assist with cardiac procedures like:
- Taking pictures of the inside of the heart
- Inserting stents into blocked arteries
- Measuring blood flow from inside the heart
- Implanting heart arrhythmia control devices like pacemakers
This career offers great benefits:
- Job Stability: With heart disease becoming more common among an aging population, skilled CVTs are becoming more and more needed
- Get to Work Fast: A degree in Cardiovascular Technology can be earned in two to three years
- Competitive Pay & Opportunities for Advancement: CVTs earn competitive salaries, with opportunities for higher pay based on specialization and experience
- Meaningful Work That Saves Lives: CVTs play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating heart conditions, directly impacting patients' health and well-being.
- Variety of Work Environments: CVTs can work in hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, and specialized cardiac labs.
Cardiovascular Technology Program Details
At TCC, our Cardiovascular Technology our teachers have real-world experience and guide you every step of the way. You’ll get hands-on training in labs and real hospitals so you feel confident and ready for the job.
Our courses help you prepare for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam, which can lead to great job opportunities after graduation. Plus, with low-cost tuition and strong job prospects, you can start your promising new career without worrying about heavy debt.
When you complete this program, you'll have the skills to:
- Evaluate patient history, physical, and physiological data.
- Communicate in written, oral, or visual forms with patients, the community, or other healthcare professionals.
- Use invasive cardiovascular equipment and specialized hemodynamic equipment.
- Use computers and advanced cardiac medical electronics and instrumentation.
- Identify responsibilities relevant to role as cardiovascular technologists.
- Perform as a team member in the role of a cardiovascular technologist.
- Integrate appropriate professional interpersonal skills.
Succeed by maintaining a GPA of 2.0, completing essential courses, and being prepared for clinical travel. Demonstrate English proficiency through an official iBT® TOEFL or IELTS Band score if applicable. Fulfill background check, immunization, and drug screening requirements.
View the Degree Requirements to find out which courses and credits you'll need to earn your degree.
Explore the Program Map to see how you can complete your degree.
Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening Requirements
An extensive criminal background check, including, but not limited to, a seven-year county of residence and nationwide criminal history check, national sexual predator screening, Social Security check, and Medicare/Medicaid fraud screenings is required by all clinical affiliates. All Health Science Service students participating in clinicals are required to complete these background checks and a drug screening test by the School of Health Sciences office deadline and prior to the first clinical rotation. Any positive findings may be subject to review by the clinical affiliates and could prevent the student from completing clinical requirements.
English Proficiency Requirements
If English is your second language, and you're an international student applying to any TCC Health Sciences program, you'll need either an official iBT® TOEFL (internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language) test score or an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Band score. These scores validate your English proficiency.
Students who've graduated from a U.S. high school are exempt from taking the iBT® TOEFL or IELTS tests. Your scores should be from within the last 2 years of your intended semester.
For health sciences students, the internet-based TOEFL (iBT®) mandates minimum sub-scores: 21 for Writing, 24 for Speaking, 20 for Reading, and 20 for Listening. The total score must be at least 85.
Opting for the IELTS test? Acceptable scores are: 6.5 for Reading, 6.5 for Listening, 7.5 for Speaking, and 6 for Writing. These required minimums must be achieved for each of the four sub-tests in a single exam. A total IELTS Band score of 6.5 is essential. Exceptions may be considered on an individual basis.
To find a TOEFL iBT® testing site, register, and pay for the test, visit ETS. If you prefer the IELTS test, locate an IELTS testing center to register and pay. The cost for either test is approximately $190. It's highly recommended that students take practice tests to prepare for these important exams. Official scores, including all sub-scores, must be sent directly to the TCC Registrar’s Office.
Essential Skills and Technical Standards
To succeed in Cardiovascular Technology, students must have the necessary physical, motor, intellectual, emotional and social/communication skills to ensure patient well-being, safety, and equipment operation. The following are the fundamental abilities required for Cardiovascular Technology. By submitting the program application, you confirm your capability to fulfill these functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
| Function | Standard | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. | Handle multiple priorities in stressful situations. Make accurate independent decisions. Concentrate and focus attention for prolonged periods of time to attain precise testing results. Ability to work alone as well as a member of a team. Apply reasoning and evaluation skills necessary in the safe technical performance of cardiovascular procedures. |
| Interpersonal | Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. | Display compassion, empathy and concern for others. Effectively deal with anger/fear/hostility of others in a calm manner. Demonstrate a high degree of patience. Work with other health care providers in stressful situations, such as life and death situations. |
| Communication | Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. | Communicate needs in a prompt, clear and concise manner. Accurately record/document pertinent information. Follow verbal and/or written instructions. Interact with patients and other health care providers in a professional manner. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces | Respond promptly to the patient's needs, manipulate equipment, lift a minimum of 30 pounds, exert a sustained force of 20 pound, push/pull mobile equipment weighing up to 300 pounds, stand for prolonged periods wearing a 12-20 pound lead apron, walk an equivalent of 5 miles per day, ability to sit for periods of 1 hour at a time, participate as a team member of four to move a 150 pound incapacitated person, and provide for patient safety at all times. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform cardiopulmonary skills. | Ability to seize, grasp, grip, hold, turn or otherwise work with hands. Work with fingers to manipulate switches, dials and other equipment controls. Input data into computer. |
| Hearing | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. | Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. |
| Visual | Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in cardiovascular technology. | Observe and monitor patients in full and dimmed light. Visual near acuity of 20 inches or less with clarity. Distinguish depth, color and spatial attributes of images. |
| Tactile | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. | Perceive attributes of an object via touch. Palpate. |
- Apply for Admission to TCC and send your high school, ACT, and college transcripts to Metro Campus Student Completion Services at 909 South Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119.
- Incomplete applications won't be considered.
- Just being admitted to TCC doesn't mean you're in the Cardiovascular Technology Program.
- Apply for the Program by March 15 every year for fall entry.
- Our selection team will carefully go through all applications. If you're eligible, you'll be invited for an interview with the Cardiovascular Technology Program admissions committee.
- Students who meet the requirements will be ranked, and admission to the program will be offered accordingly. We'll send an email to all applicants who were interviewed to let them know about their selection.
Contact the Health Sciences office at 918-595-7002 for more information.
"Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $60,570 in May 2021." — US Bureau of Labor Statistics
The TCC Cardiovascular Technology Program is accredited in Invasive Cardiovascular Technology by The Commission on Accreditation of Health Science Education Programs (CAAHEP) based on the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.
CAAHEP
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone: 727-210-2350
Program Outcomes for 2021-2023
- Retention - 87%
- Positive Placement - 79%
- RCIS Pass Rate - 79%
Program Contact
Program Director
Julie Hall, BSIS, RT, RCIS
julie.hall5@tulsacc.edu
School of Health Sciences
909 S. Boston Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119
Careers in Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
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