| What is a Cardiovascular Technologist? |
A cardiovascular technologist performs diagnostic examinations and therapeutic interventions of the heart and/or blood vessels. The CV tech provides direct patient care and may work in the hospital in-patient or outpatient cardiovascular catheterization labs or in industry sales and education positions.
Learn more about these careers at cci-online.org, or sicp.com. The Cardiovascular Technology program is accredited by CAAHEP, upon the recommendation of Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.
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| Length of Program |
4 semesters (not including prerequisite courses); Program courses must be taken in sequence within the prescribed time frame.
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| Semester Program Begins |
Fall semester; Full time; Day classes only
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| General Admission Application Process |
- Apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the ACCUPLACER test, if required. Students must be accepted into Gwinnett Tech prior to applying to a program of study.
- Applicants are initially accepted into the Interdisciplinary Studies Associate Degree program with a concentration in Health Informatics while completing the required prerequisite courses.
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| Program Application Process |
- All applicants are required to submit a Cardiovascular Technology program packet. Program packets forms are available online at http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/.
- For fall semester admission, the program application, TEAS exam and all prerequisites must be completed by June 22.
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| Prerequisite Courses |
All of the following by deadline: |
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| Additional Required Courses* |
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One of the following: |
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*Additional required courses - recommended that courses are taken prior to program start date, but can be taken during program. See advisor for more information. Transfer students with 30 + transferable credit hours will be exempt from taking FYES 1000.
*Courses may not be more than 5 years old at time of program application.
**Courses may not be more than 10 years old at time of program application.
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| Competitive Admissions |
Acceptance into the Cardiovascular Technology program is based on : Overall GPA, prerequisite GPA on all attempts, and TEAS score.
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| Program Costs and Requirements |
Uniform scrubs, shoes, books, liability insurance, criminal background check and drug screen; immunizations for clinical rotations, exam fees for certification. More cost may be added as program is developed.
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| For more information, contact: |
Josh Vejar, program support specialist for Health Imaging and Informatics
JVejar@GwinnettTech.edu or 678.226.6404 or Building 200, Office Room 213, of the Lawrenceville campus. |
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Information Sessions
Everyone is welcome to attend our Information Session held the 1st Saturday of each month* at 9 a.m. in Building 200, Room 104, Lawrenceville Campus
*There will not be an Information Session in January
Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/GTCCardioTech
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Quick Facts
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| 2018 Median pay* |
$56,850 per year/ $29.55 per hour |
| Entry level education |
Associate degree |
| Number of jobs, 2018* |
57,800 |
| Job growth 2018-2028 |
61,700 |
Cardiovascular technologists assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. Technologists may specialize in different areas of practice: invasive cardiology or non-invasive (echocardiography).
- Invasive cardiology (Cardiac Catheterization). CVTs work with physicians to perform cardiac catheterization procedures in which a small tube, or catheter, is threaded through a patient’s peripheral artery to the heart. These tests are used to diagnose a wide variety of cardiac and vascular disease. If diagnosed, technologists will assist the physician in treatment of the disease. Some of these procedures may involve balloon angioplasty, pacemaker insertion, and stent placement.
- Non-Invasive cardiology (Echocardiography). Technologists who use ultrasound to examine the heart chambers, valves, and vessels are referred to as cardiac sonographers, or echocardiographers. They use ultrasound instrumentation to create images called echocardiograms that are used to visualize and measure cardiac and vascular structures and function. These tests are used to diagnose a wide variety of cardiac and vascular disease.
Work Environment
Cardiovascular technologists spend a lot of time walking and standing. Heavy lifting may be involved to move equipment or transfer patients. Those who work in catheterization laboratories may face stressful working conditions because they are in close contact with patients with serious heart ailments. Some cardiovascular technologists may have the potential for radiation exposure. In addition, those who use sonography can be at an increased risk for musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back strain, and eye strain. Technologists generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week that may include weekends. Those in catheterization laboratories tend to work longer hours and may work evenings. They also may be on call during the night and on weekends.
Employment
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians held about 57,800 jobs in 2018. About 78 percent of jobs were in hospitals (public and private), primarily in cardiology departments. The remaining jobs were mostly in offices of physicians, including cardiologists, or in medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers. Employment of cardiovascular technologists is expected to increase 7 percent through the year 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Earnings
Median annual wages of cardiovascular technologists and technicians were $56,850 in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,340, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,100. Median annual wages of cardiovascular technologists and technicians in 2018 were $59,860 in offices of physicians and $56,320 in hospitals.
Research the Career
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm (visited May 22, 2015).
The Gwinnett Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, Building 100, Room 708, 678.226.6691, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu
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