Program Brochure (pdf) (slick)

About the Program - Curriculum and Costs (pdf)
Noncredit Healthcare Certificate Program Offerings  Summer & Fall 2010 (pdf) (rev. 6/17/10)
Healthcare Continuing Education Offerings Summer & Fall 2010 (pdf)
Career brochure from Sloan Career Cornerstone Center (pdf)

Description of Occupation - Cardiology technicians are allied health support personnel who can work in a variety of settings. This program is ideal for the person who is interested in an expanded role in healthcare. A Cardiology technician is a knowledgeable healthcare professional who is educated and trained to perform diagnostic procedures at the request of the physician to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with cardiac disease. The work place will vary from doctors' offices to hospital cardiology departments.

Cardiology technicians operate machines that record the electrical changes that occur during and between heartbeats. Cardiology technicians attach electrodes to specified areas of the patient's body and position electrodes to record electrical variations of the heart, keep EKG machine in proper working order, and edit results of EKG for analysis and interpretation. A printout is made for interpretation by the physician.

Cardiology technicians also perform Holter monitor testing. For Holter monitoring, technicians place electrodes on the patient's chest and attach a portable EKG monitor to the patient. Following 24 or more hours of normal activity by the patient, the technician removes a tape from the monitor and places it in a scanner. Physicians use the output from the scanner to diagnose arrhythmias or problems with pacemakers.

Cardiology technicians assist with treadmill stress testing as well. Technicians document the patient's medical history, explain the procedure, connect the patient to an EKG monitor, and obtain a baseline reading and resting blood pressure. Next, they monitor the heart's performance while the patient is walking on a treadmill, gradually increasing the treadmill's speed to observe the effect of increased exertion.

In addition to performing diagnostic cardiac procedures, they may be responsible for scheduling appointments, typing doctors' interpretations, maintaining patient files, and caring for equipment. Technicians generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week that may include weekends. Cardiology technicians spend a lot of time walking and standing. See attached Technical Standards for more information regarding physical abilities and behavioral characteristics required for a career as a Cardiology technician.

Veterans Education Benefits: Non-credit Healthcare Programs which result in a certificate upon completion are approved for veterans education benefits. VA benefits are based on the length of the class and the number of clock hours per week. Benefits are determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Tuition must be paid in advance since VA benefits are disbursed on a post-payment basis. Information on veterans education benefits is available from the Military and Veterans Affairs Office, Cooper 204B, (717) 780-2331 or e-mail vaoffice@hacc.edu.

Places of Employment and Outlook - Very good. Growth will occur as the population ages because older people have a higher incidence of heart disease. Individuals trained in Holter monitoring and stress testing are expected to have favorable job prospects than are those who can perform only a basic EKG. Some job openings for cardiology technicians will arise from replacement needs as individuals transfer to other jobs or leave the labor force. However, job growth and replacement needs will produce relatively few job openings because the occupation is small.

Students who complete the certificate program will be qualified to work in a doctor's office, hospital pre-admission testing area, cardiology department or a variety of outpatient testing facilities. Technicians generally work a 5-day, 40-hour week that may include weekends. Cardiology technicians spend a lot of time walking and standing.

Salary Range - $28,887  median salary for monitor technician in Lancaster (zip 17602) from www.salary.com December 2009

Educational Advancement - Completion of this certificate program, CCT certification, and six months of work experience may allow articulation of up to 9 credits to either of the two current cardiovascular technology (CVT) programs (Invasive Cardiovascular Technology and Cardiac Sonography). 

Related Websites
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
Career InfoNet
US Dept of Labor Occupational Handbook
Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (select Careers at the top of the page)

If you have specific questions about the Cardiology Technician program, contact

Cardiac Technician Program
(717) 221-1352 or (800) 222-4222 ext 1352

To register for classes, call (717) 780-2414.