Cardiovascular technology programs can typically be found at community colleges, technical schools and a few four-year universities. Students can major in invasive cardiovascular technology or choose the subject as a concentration within a broader cardiovascular technology program.
10 Schools with Cardiovascular Technology Programs
Here are some schools that offer programs in invasive cardiovascular technology:
| University/College | Location | Degree Offered | Institution Type | Tuition and Fees (2018-2019)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $4,589 in-state $6,602 out-of-state |
| St. Philip's College | San Antonio, TX | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $2,820 in-district $6,300 in-state $13,830 out-of-state |
| Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia, PA | 4-year, Private not-for-profit | Bachelor's | $40,651 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg, PA | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $6,683 in-district $7,935 in-state $9,435 out-of-state |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences | Chesapeake, VA | 4-year, Private-not-for-profit | Associate's | $2,803 |
| Spokane Community College | Spokane, WA | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $3,547 in-state $8,914 out-of-state |
| Southeast Technical Institute | Sioux Falls, SD | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $6,240 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | 4-year, Public | Associate's | $2,878 in-state $9,992 out-of-state |
| Hudson Valley Community College | Troy, NY | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $5,812 in-state $13,087 out-of-state |
| Howard Community College | Columbia, MD | 2-year, Public | Associate's | $3,936 in-district $6,048 in-state $7,248 out-of-state |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
School Selection Criteria
These are some important considerations when choosing a cardiovascular technology school:
- When selecting an invasive cardiovascular technology school, individuals should confirm that the program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Cardiovascular Technology (JRCCVT), a division of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduating from a JRCCVT-accredited program may be required for state licensure.
- Prospective invasive cardiovascular technicians should ensure that a program prepares graduates to sit for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam, which provides certification required by many states to obtain licensure.
- Students should consider the amount of clinical experience required by a program and how it will fit their schedule, as some require only one clinical rotation, while others may require as much as the entire second year of study in an associate's degree program to be comprised entirely of clinical experiences.
- Students should make sure they meet the minimum requirements for admission into the program. For instance, some schools require applicants to have completed courses in anatomy, physiology and patient care, while others require applicants to have completed as many as 200 hours of work experience in a cardiovascular health center.
Associate's Degree Programs
These 2-year programs contain general education and cardiovascular-specific courses and typically result in either an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science. Almost all programs provide students with hands-on experience in performing tests and procedures in labs and clinics. Graduates of these programs may be able to sit for the RCIS exam and potentially become certified in the field.
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Bachelor's degree programs in invasive cardiovascular technology build on the introduction to the field offered at the associate's degree level. In addition to providing basic patient care, students gain extensive experience operating cardiac assist pumps, using imaging equipment for diagnostics and assisting with percutaneous revascularization. Most programs can be completed within five years.
In an accredited undergraduate degree program that covers invasive cardiovascular technology, students can prepare for state licensure, and they can get the hands-on training they need to prepare for a job in the field.