CVT: Invasive Cardiovascular Technology: Associate in Science (AS)  (3510)

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. Do you want to help address this issue?

If you are looking for a healthcare career that allows you to share your compassion for others and work directly with patients, consider a career in cardiovascular technology.

 

What can I do with this in the workforce?

After receiving your Associate in Science in invasive cardiovascular technology, you will be ready to enter the healthcare field as an invasive cardiovascular technologist.

An Invasive cardiovascular technologists is a highly specialized and knowledgeable healthcare professional who is educated and trained to perform invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under the direction of the physician to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with cardiac disease.

As a cardiovascular technologist, specializing in the invasive field, you will have the skills to work specifically in a cardiac catheterization laboratory in a hospital setting.

Individuals who are successful in this field usually have these skills:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Medical knowledge including anatomy, physiology and psychophysiology
• Possess sufficient skills to handle equipment and provide safe and effective patient care
• Are physically fit to handle long hours on your feet and help move and lift patients
• Able to pay attention to details
• Able to perform procedures with a high-level of skill and expertise
• Communicate effectively and hold strong interpersonal skills to interact with patients, family members, physicians and co-workers

 

What is the average salary?

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What is HACC’s program like? 

Our Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Program gives you the knowledge and skills to become an invasive cardiovascular technologist, who works in cardiac catheterization laboratories performing diagnostic and interventional procedures on patients with heart disease. Our clinical component allows you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in affiliated healthcare facilities and apply the skills and techniques taught in the classroom to real-life situations.

Our program is selective, which means that you must meet special entry requirements that go beyond your standard admission criteria for HACC. Before starting the clinical portion of the program, you must complete the following items at your own expense:

• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, State Police Criminal Record Check and FBI background check
• Physical examination and immunizations
• Drug and alcohol screens
• CPR certification

Please visit the health careers section of our website or email us for more information on these admission requirements.

At the completion of our program, you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate competencies needed to gain employment in the Cardiac Catheterization area
• Demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
• Utilize a variety of equipment in the Catheterization setting
• Assist the physician in patient-care aspects of the Catheterization laboratory
• Function effectively as a member of the healthcare team
• Become eligible to sit for the national registry examination
• Write and speak effectively

Our program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

What classes will I take?

• View summaries of every course at HACC by browsing our class schedules database.

• Review our program guide (pdf) to view a list of required courses, recommended course sequencing and program competencies.

• Browse our advising checksheet (pdf), which is also an excellent tool to help you personalize your course load each term and manage your overall advancement through our programs.

 

Can I transfer my credits to a four-year college or university?

Yes! Our program is designed to lead you directly into the workforce, but transfer opportunities are available if you wish to continue your education. Our degree programs are designed to be flexible enough to transfer to a wide variety of colleges and universities with no loss of credit. However, each individual college has its own unique program. Therefore, we encourage you to select a four-year school as soon as possible. This will allow you to learn the transfer college’s program requirements so that you can take the proper classes at HACC.

Browse our various transfer options:

 

Where can I complete this program?

The entire program is available at our Lancaster Campus.

 

Does HACC offer scholarships?

Yes! Thanks to the HACC Foundation, scholarships are available. Please visit hacc.edu/scholarships to learn how you can apply.

 

When can I apply?

We offer courses in the spring, summer and fall. To apply anytime, please visit our website. When enrolling into our Invasive Cardiovascular Technology Program, you must apply to the non-clinical component of the program first. Therefore, please use program code 351P to apply to the correct program.

 

How can I learn more?

Take it from your peers in this video! You will learn diagnostic and therapeutic procedures while gaining a solid knowledge foundation to continue your education. To request more information on earning this associate degree, please contact an admissions counselor or email us at start@hacc.edu.