°Ù»¨ÊÓƵ

The Cardiovascular Technology Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Valencia College is a two-year program that prepares you to go directly into a specialized career as a cardiovascular technologist.

As a cardiovascular technologist, you would work side-by-side with cardiologists and physicians to diagnose and treat heart disease and vascular problems. You would also serve as an integral member of the cardiac catheterization laboratory team, whose primary role is to conduct tests on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems of patients and assist with electrocardiograms, heart catheterizations and similar invasive tests. Valencias program provides students with the latest training available for this challenging and rewarding career.

The Cardiovascular Technology Program was established in 2002 and graduated its inaugural class of students in 2004. The program educates and prepares the student to become an Invasive Cardiovascular Specialist known as a Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT). The Invasive Cardiovascular Specialist is a health care professional and an integral member of the cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratory teams. The CVT's primary role is to perform, at the direction of a qualified physician, technical procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular injury and disease. The CVT is trained in the competent use of specific high-technology equipment, normal and abnormal cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, electrophysiology, hemodynamic monitoring, sterile technique, radiation safety, and patient care techniques.

Upon graduation, positions are available in diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization labs in acute care hospitals, outpatient facilities, and privately-owned clinics. With professional experience and additional education, career opportunities also are available in electrophysiology, echocardiography, management, education, marketing and sales. Graduates are eligible to take the national Registered Invasive Cardiovascular Specialist exam administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

The program is a limited access, two-year Associate in Science degree program.

Career Outlook

Learn How To

Assist in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease and blood vessel ailments

Assist cardiologists with cardiac catheterization and balloon angioplasty procedures

Monitor blood pressure and heart rates of patients

Work closely with physicians in caring for cardiac patients

Job Outlook

Exciting career opportunities are available in diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization labs in acute care hospitals, outpatient facilities and privately-owned clinics.

Potential Careers

Cardiovascular Technologist

Cardiovascular Specialist

Cardiovascular Technician