Program Details
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Program Awards
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Approx. Cost
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Approx. Length |
Accreditation Agencies
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Prerequisites
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1st year: Certificate
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$2,200
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2 semesters
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CAAHEP
JRC-CVT
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Al H 010,
Al H 111, BIO 221,
GE Requirements for A.S. Degree
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2nd year:
A.S. Degree
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$4,200 | 4 semesters |
CAAHEP
JRC-CVT
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Al H 010,
Al H 111, BIO 221,
GE Requirements for A.S. Degree
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Description of Job for which Program Prepares Students
Cardiovascular technology is an allied health profession concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart and blood vessel disease. The cardiovascular technologist performs tests at the request of the physician to obtain information about that patient’s heart and blood vessel anatomy and function so the physician can make a diagnosis. The profession of cardiovascular technology includes three areas of diagnostic evaluation: 1) invasive cardiovascular technology (diagnosis of heart disease by cardiac catheterization), 2) non-invasive cardiovascular technology (diagnosis of heart disease by the use of cardiac ultrasound, exercise testing, and electrocardiographic [ECG] testing, 3) non-invasive peripheral vascular technology (diagnosis of blood vessel disease using ultrasound testing).
The cardiovascular technology program provides the necessary classroom and clinical courses to allow graduates to work as electrodiagnostic, treadmill technologists, non-invasive cardiac and vascular sonographers and also provides an introduction to invasive cardiology.
Required program prerequisites
- Allied Health 010: Health Occupations - On OCC Campus Only
- Biology 221: Human Anatomy & Physiology
- Allied Health 111: Medical Terminology
- Completion of general education required classes for Associate of Science Degree
Associate of Science Degree
This is an Associate of Science degree program. All associate of science degree general education requirements must be completed for graduation from the program.
Does this program transfer?
No
Procedure for program admittance
All students must complete the course Allied Health 010 – Health Occupations in order to apply to the program. Students are selected and admitted to the program on a first come, first serve basis following completion of Allied Health 010. (See Application and Admittance under “Allied Health” for further details).
Length of program
22 months. Students completing the Electrocardiology Certificate only may exit the program after one year with a Certificate of Achievement as an ECG technician.
Program start
Fall of each year
Employment possibilities upon program completion
Hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, and mobile diagnostic services companies. Also, application specialist and/or sales representatives for manufacturers.
Salaries
ECG Technician, Stress testing technician, Holter monitoring technician, Pacemaker technician, and Monitor technician = $10-$14/hour starting salary.
Cardiovascular Technologist (Echocardiographer and catheter lab) $18-$25/hour starting salary.
Average for experienced CVT’s is $50,000 - $55,000 annually.
Courses within the program which students can take while seeking admission to the program (subject to catalog restrictions)
Allied Health 120: Human DiseasesSpaces available
24
Background checks
All students will be required to submit an application for pre-clinical background/drug screen check. The background check will include Fingerprints - LIVESCAN, County Criminal Records (past 7 years), Residency History Search, Social Security Alert, Nationwide Healthcare Fraud & Abuse Registry (OIG/GSA), Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry and a California DMV report. The drug screening will include THC, cocaine, opiates, PCP, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methaqualone, propoxyphene and methadone. If requested by the clinical site, the results of the background/drug checks must be provided to them by the student.
Clinical requirements
The program requires that students participate in scheduled course clinical experience concurrent with classroom courses. Clinical assignments provide students with hands-on application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and laboratory courses at OCC contracted hospitals, medical centers, and/or outpatient facilities. It is the responsibility of each student to provide his or her own transportation to assigned clinical sites.
Just prior to entry into clinical, students are required to complete/obtain:
- A physical examination
- Criminal background check clearance
- CPR, HIPAA training, Blood borne pathogen training provided through Al H 115
- Student liability insurance
Students must adhere to appropriate required dress code which may include a laboratory coat, nametag, and other program specific requirements.
Clinical sites may require drug testing or other blood work. There may be exposure to hazardous materials or pathogens in the clinical setting. Students will adhere to all safety and precautionary measures. The student receives no financial compensation for clinical experience, but does receive course units as a required class in the program.
Employment Prospects
Good – better in some geographical locations
Accreditation of Program
This program is fully accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs).
Licensure
Students who complete the first year of the program are eligible to take the Certified EKG Technician exam through the National Healthcareer Association . Students who complete the full program are eligilble to take the Registered Vascular Technology (RVT) exam through the American Registry for Diagnostic Sonography (ARDMS).
Other
Students may exit the program after the first year and obtain a Certificate of Achievement as an ECG Technician. Graduates with an ECG Technician certificate may obtain employment as an ECG technician, Stress testing technician, Holter monitoring technician, Pacemaker technician, and Monitor (Telemetry) technician.
Tom Choe
Allied Health Counselor
Office: CS & D 101C
The Allied Health Counselor only sees allied health students in the spring and fall terms.