The Cardiovascular Technology Program is a two-year program leading to an Associate in Science Degree in Cardiovascular Technology. The first year of the program is comprised of both general education and core cardiovascular courses. In the second year, students are concentrating on core, didactic, lab, and clinical cardiovascular courses. Clinical instruction occurs at affiliated hospitals throughout Southwest Florida.
Cardiovascular Technology is an exciting, rewarding, and relatively new field. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Advances in technology and the training of Cardiovascular Technologists have improved the lives of millions of patients. This has resulted in a high demand for our graduates. After graduation, you will be in demand as a Cardiovascular Technologist to work in hospitals and cardiology practices. The demand is high in Florida and throughout the United States.
The Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist is employed in cardiovascular catheterization laboratories (cath labs). Our specialty of invasive cardiology will prepare the graduate to function in multiple facets in the cardiovascular catheterization laboratory. Working with a cardiologist, Cardiovascular Technologists perform sophisticated tests in order to diagnose and quantify cardiac disorders. These include coronary artery disease, cardiac valve disease, or disorders of the heart’s electrical conduction system. Cardiovascular Technologists perform diagnostic cardiovascular catheterization studies on patients including coronary and vascular arteriography, hemodynamic monitoring and analysis, and electrophysiology studies. They also assist the cardiologist in interventional procedures including coronary angioplasty, direct infarct angioplasty, rotablator procedures, intra-coronary stenting, pacemaker/defibrillator insertion, and radiofrequency ablation. We also offer an elective in echocardiography for students who would like a basic foundation in this high demand field.
The Edison State College Cardiovascular Technology Program is accredited in invasive cardiology by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) based on the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is located at 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756, phone 727-210-2350 (www.CAAHEP.org).
Graduates may apply for the invasive cardiology registry examination offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for national certification. Upon successful completion of the national exam, graduates earn the RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist) credential.
A freshman class begins each Fall. Currently 20 freshmen are accepted each year. Class size is limited by the number of cardiovascular catheterization laboratories in the clinical affiliates needed for the training of students. Students will have the opportunity to practice cardiac and vascular catheterization procedures in our “on campus” cath lab prior to entering the clinical component of the curriculum. The Cardiovascular Technology Program is a “limited” admission program. The criteria for admission are available through the program office or through the Cardiopulmonary Professions office at (239) 985-8398. Information packets with an application to the program may be downloaded by visiting www.edison.edu (click on Programs of Study, then click on your program of interest, and the “downloads” are at the bottom of the page).
Cardiovascular Technology Career Opportunities:
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
- Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist
- Cardiac Catheterization Lab Technologist
- Electrophysiology Technologist
- Cardiovascular Clinical Applications Specialist
- Cardiovascular Management
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cardiovascular Education
Continuing Toward a Bachelor’s Degree?
Edison State College also offers a B.A.S. in Cardiopulmonary Sciences. Graduates of the AS Degree Program in Cardiovascular Technology with the RCIS credential may matriculate to the upper division courses. For more information, please contact the Edison State Baccalaureate and University Programs Division at (239) 489-9295.
First Round Application Deadline: May 31st
Course Prerequisites:
Refer to specific course descriptions listed in this Catalog.
Program Prerequisites:
The program prerequisite encompasses successful completion of the program acceptance process including the following:
- Competition with all other applicants based on academic transcript evaluation. Completion of the Watson-Glaser critical thinking exam is also an admission requirement. Finalists for these processes will be invited to attend a Panel Interview to complete the admission application process.
- The clinical enrollment process requires satisfactory completion of an immunization and health report. The admissions process requires satisfactory completion of a College-approved criminal history background check and drug screen completed at the applicant’s expense.
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