| 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 www.acp-online.org. The Cardiovascular Technology program is accredited by CAAHEP, upon the recommendation of Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.
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| Semester Program Begins |
4 semesters (not including prerequisite courses); Program courses must be taken in sequence within the prescribed time frame
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| General Admission Application Process |
- Apply to Gwinnett Technical College at www.gwinnetttech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the ACCUPLACER test, if required (You must be accepted into Gwinnett Tech prior to applying to a program of study.)
- Applicants are initially accepted into the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program while completing the required prerequisite courses
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| Program Application Process |
- All applicants are required to submit a program application packet after completing all requirements (prerequisites and ATI TEAS Exam). Program packet forms are available online at http://www.gwinnetttech.edu/enrollment/forms-documents/.
- For Fall semester admission, the program application, TEAS for Allied Health
Exam (minimum score accepted is 75%) and all prerequisites must be completed by June 8th with
a 3.0 GPA.
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Prerequisite Courses
(3.0 GPA minimum)
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All of the following by deadline: |
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*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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| Additional Required Courses* |
All of the following:
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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.
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| Competitive Admissions Program |
Acceptance into the Cardiovascular Technology program is based on: cumulative GPA on all transcripts, prerequisite GPA on ALL attempts, and TEAS exam
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| Program Costs and Requirements |
Uniform scrubs, shoes, books, liability insurance, criminal background check and drug screen; immunizations (e.g. COVID19 vaccine) 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, Health Sciences Department
JVejar@GwinnettTech.edu or 678.226.6404 or Building 200, Office Room 212, of the Lawrenceville Campus. |
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Information Sessions
Everyone is welcome to attend our information session held on the 1st Thursday of each month*
at 4:00 p.m. in building 200, Room 160, Lawrenceville Campus.
*There will not be an information session in July and December*
Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/GTCCardioTech
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Quick Facts
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| 2021 Median pay* |
$60,570 per year/ $31.50 per hour |
| Entry level education |
Associate degree |
| Number of jobs, 2020* |
58,200 |
| Job growth 2020-2030 |
14%( much faster than average) |
Nature of the Work
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 58,200 jobs in 2020. 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 14 percent through the year 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The median annual wage for cardiovascular technologists and technicians was $60,570 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,070. Median annual wages of cardiovascular technologists
and technicians in 2021 were $62,220 in offices of physicians and $60,230 in hospitals.
Earnings
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019-20 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 4, 2022).
Gwinnett Tech does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sex, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, or citizenship status. For compliance concerns, contact Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, at lrichardson@gwinnetttech.edu, 678-226-6691, Building 100, Office 407.
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