2024-25 Catalog

Cardiovascular Technology

Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1351090100)

Limited-Access

This program is designed for students who seek immediate employment in the healthcare field of Invasive Cardiovascular Technology. The Invasive Cardiovascular Specialist is an integral part of the cardiac catheterization laboratory team, whose primary role is to perform technical procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular injury and disease. Cardiovascular Technology is a challenging and growing profession. 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. Once you complete your A.S. degree in Cardiovascular Technology, you can now continue on and get your Bachelor’s degree from Valencia in Cardiopulmonary Sciences. With additional education at the Bachelor level and professional experience, you will enhance your skills and have more career options available.

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT; http://jrccvt.org/) and by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP; https://www.caahep.org/),  25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158, Clearwater, FL 33763, Phone (727) 210-2350.

Cardiovascular Technology is a limited-access program. Admission to Valencia does not imply acceptance to the Cardiovascular Technology Program; students must apply and be accepted to the program. General admission procedures for this program are found in the Admissions section of this catalog. The School of Health Sciences provides information about specific admission criteria.

Estimated program expenses are given in the Financial section of this catalog.

Admission requirements that must be satisfied prior to submitting an application to the A.S. Degree Program in Cardiovascular Technology are:

  • Review the general admission requirements for Health Sciences programs in the Admissions section of this catalog.
  • Submit a completed Valencia Application for Admission; satisfy the requirements for Degree-Seeking Status and be in Active Student Status.
  • Satisfy the college entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, Professions of Caring (HSC 1004) for students pending acceptance to a health sciences program, or New Student Experience (SLS 1122), mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which you are placed.
  • Complete the Cardiovascular Technology Prerequisite for Admission Courses with a minimum grade of C.
  • Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5 (including transfer work). NOTE: Transfer students with completed coursework at Valencia College also need to have a minimum institutional/Valencia GPA of 2.0 at the time of applying (in addition to the minimum overall college GPA of 2.5).
  • Satisfy the designated entrance test requirements for Health Sciences Programs.
  • Submit the completed Valencia Cardiovascular Technology Program application with the application fee by the deadline.

The courses in the Cardiovascular Technology curriculum are progressive in nature, with one course building on the preceding course. Because of this progressive relationship, all cardiovascular courses must be completed in succession. If a student achieves a grade less than a “C” or withdraws from any course that is required for the Cardiovascular Technology Associate in Science degree, the student will not be allowed to continue in the clinical portion of the program.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their campus based Student Success Coach for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit

If you have earned an approved certification from Cardiovascular Credential International, you may be eligible to receive credit toward this A.S. degree. For more information, visit: https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/as-degree/credit-industry-certification-agreements.php.

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, Professions of Caring (HSC 1004) for students pending acceptance to a health sciences program, or New Student Experience (SLS 1122), and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits). The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab.

For course sequencing recommendations, see your campus based Student Success Coach or access the Course Planning Guide on the Health Sciences webpage https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/.

Potential Careers

  • Invasive Cardiovascular Specialist
  • Cardiovascular Technologist
  • Cardiovascular Technician

Salary & Earnings Information

For career information related to this program, please visit O*Net OnLine.

Contacts

Future Students

To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at enrollment@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-1507 or visit valenciacollege.edu/cardiovascular-technology/.

Current Students

Active Valencia students who are pending program acceptance may meet with the pending Student Success Coach in the campus Student Services department. For Information Sessions, Admission Guides, Program Applications, and the most updated information, visit the website at: https://valenciacollege.edu/academics/programs/health-sciences/ Accepted, in-program students will meet with their assigned Student Success Coach after confirming acceptance.

Your Student Success Coach contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Coach. 

Money Back Guarantee

Money Back Guarantee is a tuition refund program that helps students who complete the Cardiovascular Technology Associate in Science degree and are not employed within six months after graduation. For more information, visit https://valenciacollege.edu/students/business-office/tuition-installment-plan/money-back-guarantee.php. 

Program Outcomes

  • Perform entry level skills as described by the scope of practice for Cardiovascular Technology.
  • Perform effective communication within the healthcare environment.
  • Structure a safe environment in the healthcare setting.
  • Practice professional behaviors in a healthcare setting.
  • Execute safe clinical decision making in the invasive cardiovascular setting.
Plan of Study Grid
Prerequisite for Admission
BSC 2093C HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I +*~ 4
BSC 2094C HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II +*~ 4
MAC 1105 COLLEGE ALGEBRA +*~ 3
 Credit Hours11
Year I
Fall TermCredit Hours
ENC 1101 FRESHMAN COMPOSITION I +*~ 3
MCB 2010C MICROBIOLOGY +*~ 4
CVT 1000C INTRODUCTION TO CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY +* 4
CVT 1270 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY +* 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Term
PHY 1007C PHYSICS WITH MEDICAL APPLICATIONS +*~ 4
CVT 1260C INVASIVE CARDIOLOGY I: CARDIOPULMONARY ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY +* 4
CVT 1840L CARDIOVASCULAR CLINICAL PRACTICUM I +* 2
 Credit Hours10
Summer Term
PSY 2012 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY +~ 3
CVT 1205C CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY & ECG MANAGEMENT +* 3
HumanitiesSee Gen. Ed. Core Requirement +*~ 3
CVT 1841L CARDIOVASCULAR CLINICAL PRACTICUM II +* 2
 Credit Hours11
Year II
Fall Term
CVT 2420C INVASIVE CARDIOLOGY II +* 4
CVT 2620C NON-INVASIVE CARDIOLOGY II +* 4
CVT 2842L CARDIOVASCULAR CLINICAL PRACTICUM III +* 4
 Credit Hours12
Spring Term
CVT 2421C INVASIVE CARDIOLOGY III +* 4
CVT 2843L CARDIOVASCULAR CLINICAL PRACTICUM IV +* 4
CVT 2211C CRITICAL CARE APPLICATIONS +* 4
 Credit Hours12
Summer Term
CVT 2920 CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST AS A PROFESSIONAL +* 2
CVT 2844L CARDIOVASCULAR CLINICAL PRACTICUM V +* 3
CVT 2426C ADVANCED CARDIOVASCULAR CONCEPTS +* 2
 Credit Hours7
 Total Credit Hours77
+

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

*

This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

~

 This is a general education course.

Notes:

All accepted applicants are required to submit applications through Valencia for a criminal background check, and drug testing. Applicants for Valencia’s Health Sciences Programs must be free of offenses that would disqualify them from a student clinical experience in a healthcare setting and must have their civil rights intact. This policy is in response to requirements by clinical agencies and state/federal regulations.

Specialized program courses are offered on the West Campus and may not be offered every session.

Upon earning the A.S. degree in Cardiovascular Technology, eligible applicants can continue at Valencia to complete the Bachelor’s degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences or a bachelor-level Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) in Echocardiography.  Additional education at the bachelor’s level and professional experience can enhance your skills and create more career opportunities.

Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Program Advisor to determine the best education plan for their career goals.