INVASIVE CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY

(Advanced Technical Certificate)

El Centro only

• Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
• Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: ATC.INVASIVE.CARD.04

The Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Advanced Technical Certificate is for a student having at least a previous Associate Degree in a designated allied health field or associate degree nursing, or a B.S. degree with a major in a science discipline. Potential students will be considered on an individual basis to determine if they have an adequate background in anatomy, physiology, and math. A background in basic ECGs and pharmacology is also required, which may be verified by either college-level coursework or job skills tested by examination. Basic ECG and pharmacology assessment examinations will be available by special request. A minimum passing grade of 70% is required on the appropriate test(s) and test results must be included with program application material submitted to the Health Occupations Admissions Office prior to the application deadline. If minimum score(s) are not achieved, the applicant can enroll in and complete the appropriate course(s) to qualify for application consideration. Upon successful completion of the Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Advanced Technical Certificate program, an Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) will be awarded.

Invasive Cardiovascular Technology students study the theory of techniques used in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cardiovascular disease in humans. Invasive Cardiovascular Technologists work in cardiac catheterization laboratories. They assist the cardiologist in performing intracardiac pressure and electrical measurements, oximetry determination, angiocardiography, and measurement/calculation of cardiac function indices. The Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist assists in all phases of cardiac catheterization procedures, including catheter insertion, operation of the electronic instruments, and calculation of the cardiac data used by the physician in confirming diagnosis and designing treatment for the cardiac patient, as well as care of the patient during procedures.

Admission requirements include an information session, satisfactory scores on pre-entrance assessment testing, completion of program prerequisite courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and completion of all requirements for admission as a full-time student to the college. Applicants are rank-ordered for admission based on grade point earned on prerequisite courses, interviews, and recommendation letters. Contact the Assessment Center at El Centro College to sign up for the assessment tests, and Health Occupations Admissions to receive an information packet.

The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, Illinois 60601-2208, Telephone 312-553-9355) in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT, 9111 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-1699, Telephone 301-493-2334).

PREREQUISITES

Students must have completed an AAS in a Health Profession.

SEMESTER I (SUMMER)

SEMESTER II (FALL)

SEMESTER III (SPRING)

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.