Cardiovascular Technology Schools
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“There is a negative reputation around CVT that it begins and ends in the same position—and that is far from the truth. With the development of structural heart devices, 3D ultrasound rendering, and strain imaging, there are many new things to continue learning.”
Hannah Dowdy, Instructor and Clinical Coordinator, Medical University of South Carolina Columbia’s School of Cardiovascular Technology
Having a strong heart to pump blood through one’s veins is crucial to maintaining good health. While heart surgeons may earn deserved glory and prestige for their life-saving, corrective procedures, the work of the often-unheralded cardiovascular technologists can uncover important diagnostic details and help inform treatment decisions for patients.
There are a few different paths that interested students can take to enter the field of cardiovascular technology. The quickest route is completing a certification program at a hospital and possibly earning a coveted spot on a medical team. However, some students choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree before seeking work, although that level of education is not required. Typically, students can complete a two-year associate of science (AS) program to join this rapidly growing field.
With this predicted increase in demand, investing in an accredited cardiovascular technologist school is a potentially lucrative career path leading to fulfilling work in hospitals and medical centers nationwide.
Students should note that cardiac sonography is also known as echocardiography, and schools and organizations use these terms interchangeably. By completing a few semesters of intensive coursework and hands-on clinical practicums, a candidate can be prepared to earn a two-year degree while working alongside physicians and nurses.
Meet the Expert, Hannah Dowdy, BS, RDCS, RVT
Hannah Dowdy is a highly skilled and dedicated professional with a comprehensive background in healthcare, specializing in diagnostic sonography.
With a bachelor of science degree and dual credentials as a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer (RDCS) and a registered vascular technologist (RVT), Dowdy is an instructor and clinical coordinator at the Medical University of South Carolina Columbia’s School of Cardiovascular Technology
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something many people don’t know about the cardiovascular technologist profession?
Dowdy: Cardiovascular technology is quite hidden in comparison to most healthcare fields, but it has gained tremendous traction over recent years and has been ever-evolving for decades.
Many assets of the science are commonly understood, such as its involvement with diagnostic imaging, intimate patient contact, and excessive need for critical analysis skills. However, the less appreciated aspect of this field is its potential for career growth. There is a negative reputation around CVT that it begins and ends in the same position—and that is far from the truth. With the development of structural heart devices, 3D ultrasound rendering, and strain imaging, there are many new things to continue learning.
Technologists may also explore different areas like teaching, outreach program participation, device sales, hospital management, private practice ownership, etc. The options are vast.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a cardiovascular technologist who is starting out?
Dowdy: I always recommend that new technologists begin their careers with a learning mentality. Prepare yourself to absorb every bit of advice and instruction you can receive because at the end of the day, you are largely responsible for the diagnosis of your patient. It is up to you to give the best quality care possible for them. They are trusting you blindly to figure out what is wrong. This field is always growing, so you should never stop learning, if not for yourself, then for your patient.
| Cardiovascular Technologist fast facts | |
|---|---|
| Projected Jobs Created | 14,200 |
| Projected Job Growth | 10 percent |
| Average Salary | $70,270 |
| Low Salary | $36,620 |
| High Salary | $105,140 |
| Entry-Level EDU | Associate's Degree |
| Sourced from BLS 2024 | |
Cardiovascular Technology Degree & Certification Programs
To start work as a cardiovascular technologist, some background education is necessary. The most prevalent degree program for this field culminates in an associate of science (AS) or an associate of applied science (AAS) degree and takes two years to complete. However, there is an increasing number of cardiovascular technology schools that offer bachelor of science degrees (BS) in cardiovascular technology.
Schools may also offer specialized training, either at an associate or bachelor’s level, in any of the following subspecialties:
- Adult Echocardiography
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
- Noninvasive Vascular Study
- Pediatric Echocardiography
Admission to any cardiovascular technologist program requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, with some programs having course prerequisites or minimum standards of prior academic performance.
Here is a sampling of accredited cardiovascular technologist schools in the United States.
Medical University of South Carolina: The Claude W. Smith School of Cardiovascular Technology at MUSC Health provides a 17-month, CAAHEP-accredited cardio tech program. It has two tracks: invasive CVT and echo and vascular.
Candidates to this program must have 30 credits of prerequisite coursework, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and letters of recommendation.
- Location: Charlston, SC
- Duration: 17 months
- Accreditation: CAAHEP
Prisma Health and Clemson University: For those students with strong academic backgrounds who are ready for the challenge of a four-year university, the program at Clemson in Clemson, South Carolina, is an excellent choice.
The school offers a bachelor of science (BS) degree in health science with a cardiovascular imaging leadership concentration. Courses in the concentration include echocardiography principles, vascular sonography principles, and minor coursework in business administration. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA and 30 semester hours of transferable credits.
- Location: Clemson, SC
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Florida State College at Jacksonville: Located in Jacksonville, Florida State College at Jacksonville offers a 77-credit associate of science (AS) degree in cardiovascular technology. Students in this program learn how to become registered cardiac sonographers and assist physicians during diagnostic and interventional procedures. Examples of these services include surgery and stress echocardiograms.
Courses include non-invasive cardiology and cardiovascular practicum. In addition, this CAAHEP-accredited program can prepare students for invasive and noninvasive cardiovascular technology registry exams.
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Louisiana State University (LSU) Health New Orleans: At their New Orleans healthcare campus, the LSU New Orleans School of Allied Health Professions offers several training programs, including a cardiac and vascular sonography bachelor’s degree as part of the school’s department of cardiopulmonary science.
Applicants to this program must complete at least 60 hours of prerequisite courses with an average GPA of 2.5 or higher. In addition, graduates from this program are eligible to take certification exams offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). From 2019 to 2021, graduates boast a 100 percent first-time pass rate and a 95 percent job placement rate.
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Mayo Clinic: One of the leading non-profit academic medical systems in the U.S., the Mayo Clinic offers a cardiovascular technology internship program with FSC-Jacksonville. Students who have completed the FSC-Jacksonville prerequisites can apply for the six-week internship at the Florida branch of the Mayo Clinic.
No official degree or certification is awarded apart from what the student has already earned as part of their community college experience, but students gain supervised clinical experience. Upon completion of this experience, students are eligible to sit for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam offered by CCI.
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Duration: Six weeks
- Accreditation: N/A
Trinity Health of New England: Located in Hartford, Connecticut, Trinity Health of New England’s School of Invasive Cardiovascular Technology offers a one-year certificate program. Students in this program learn the fundamentals of heart and vascular function followed by didactic, lab, and clinical courses at hospitals around Connecticut. Diagnostic and interventional procedures are emphasized, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Applicants must have a two-year degree in an allied health degree, a bachelor’s degree in health science or non-health science with science course work, be a graduate of a paramedic program, enrolled in an accredited cardiovascular technology program with 100 course credits, or hold a foreign or domestic MD or DO degree.
- Location: Hartford, CT
- Duration: One year
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Spokane Community College: Located in Spokane in eastern Washington, SPCC offers two accredited tracks for prospective cardiovascular technologists: invasive cardiovascular technology and noninvasive cardiovascular technology/echocardiography. Both programs culminate in an associate of applied science (AAS) degree.
In addition, candidates must have completed mathematics and science prerequisite courses within five years of applying to SPCC. Both tracks take an expected seven quarters to complete, with the final two quarters consisting of clinical practicums.
- Location: Spokane and Tacoma, WA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
List of Cardiovascular Technologist Schools
| School | City | State | Website | GRADS ('21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triad Education | Los Angeles | California | https://wcui.edu | 191 |
| Associated Technical College-Los Angeles | Los Angeles | California | https://atcla.edu | 134 |
| Eastwick College-Ramsey | Ramsey | New Jersey | https://eastwick.edu | 85 |
| Columbia Central University-Caguas | Caguas | Puerto Rico | https://columbiacentral.edu | 72 |
| Eastwick College-Nutley | Nutley | New Jersey | https://eastwick.edu | 62 |
| Grossmont College | El Cajon | California | https://www.grossmont.edu | 50 |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | Ponce | Puerto Rico | https://www.pucpr.edu | 42 |
| Carnegie Institute | Troy | Michigan | https://www.carnegie-institute.edu | 28 |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus | San Juan | Puerto Rico | https://uagm.edu/es | 21 |
| Southeast Technical College | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | https://www.southeasttech.edu | 21 |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | https://www.hacc.edu | 18 |
| South Suburban College | South Holland | Illinois | https://www.ssc.edu | 18 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | https://www.matc.edu | 17 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia | Columbia | South Carolina | https://www.sc.edu | 17 |
| Kirtland Community College | Grayling | Michigan | https://www.kirtland.edu | 17 |
| Northeast State Community College | Blountville | Tennessee | https://www.northeaststate.edu | 16 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | Florida | https://www.fscj.edu | 16 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | North Carolina | https://www.cpcc.edu | 16 |
| Dallas College | Dallas | Texas | https://www.dallascollege.edu | 15 |
| Spokane Community College | Spokane | Washington | https://scc.spokane.edu | 15 |
| Fortis Institute-Nashville | Nashville | Tennessee | https://www.fortis.edu | 15 |
| Valencia College | Orlando | Florida | https://valenciacollege.edu | 15 |
| Howard Community College | Columbia | Maryland | https://www.howardcc.edu | 14 |
| Piedmont Technical College | Greenwood | South Carolina | https://www.ptc.edu | 14 |
| Barry University | Miami | Florida | https://www.barry.edu | 14 |
| American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education | Piscataway | New Jersey | https://aimseducation.edu | 14 |
| Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | California | https://orangecoastcollege.edu | 13 |
| Molloy College | Rockville Centre | New York | https://www.molloy.edu | 13 |
| St Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud | Minnesota | https://sctcc.edu | 13 |
| William Rainey Harper College | Palatine | Illinois | https://www.harpercollege.edu | 13 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville | Arkansas | https://www.atu.edu | 13 |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans | New Orleans | Louisiana | https://www.lsuhsc.edu | 12 |
| Central Ohio Technical College | Newark | Ohio | https://www.cotc.edu | 12 |
| City College-Hollywood | Hollywood | Florida | https://www.citycollege.edu | 12 |
| Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa | Florida | https://www.easternflorida.edu | 12 |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences | Chesapeake | Virginia | https://www.sentara.edu | 12 |
| Sacramento Ultrasound Institute | Sacramento | California | https://sui.edu | 11 |
| Augusta Technical College | Augusta | Georgia | https://www.augustatech.edu | 11 |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven | Florida | https://www.polk.edu | 11 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest | Georgia | https://www.piedmont.edu | 11 |
| Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers | Florida | https://www.fsw.edu | 10 |
| Eastern International College-Jersey City | Jersey City | New Jersey | https://eicollege.edu | 10 |
| Southern Maine Community College | South Portland | Maine | https://www.smccme.edu | 10 |
| Bryan College of Health Sciences | Lincoln | Nebraska | https://www.bryanhealthcollege.edu/bcohs | 9 |
| Tulsa Community College | Tulsa | Oklahoma | https://www.tulsacc.edu | 9 |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | Arizona | https://www.pima.edu | 9 |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | Houston | Texas | https://www.chcp.edu | 9 |
| Midwestern Career College | Chicago | Illinois | https://mccollege.edu | 9 |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | Massachusetts | https://www.bhcc.mass.edu | 8 |
| Eastern International College-Belleville | Belleville | New Jersey | https://eicollege.edu | 8 |
| Rush University | Chicago | Illinois | https://www.rushu.rush.edu | 8 |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Fort Worth | Fort Worth | Texas | https://www.chcp.edu | 8 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia | Mississippi | https://www.northwestms.edu | 7 |
| Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | Florida | https://www.hccfl.edu | 7 |
| Middlesex College | Edison | New Jersey | https://middlesexcollege.edu | 7 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Georgia | https://gwinnetttech.edu | 7 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | Mercedita | Puerto Rico | https://www.ponce.inter.edu | 7 |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome | Georgia | https://www.gntc.edu | 7 |
| Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport | Shreveport | Louisiana | https://www.lsuhs.edu | 6 |
| The University of Findlay | Findlay | Ohio | https://www.findlay.edu | 6 |
| Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin | Georgia | https://www.sctech.edu | 5 |
| Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins | Georgia | https://www.centralgatech.edu | 5 |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Lancaster | Pennsylvania | https://www.pacollege.edu | 5 |
| Minnesota State Community and Technical College | Fergus Falls | Minnesota | https://www.minnesota.edu | 5 |
| Southern Connecticut State University | New Haven | Connecticut | https://www.southernct.edu | 4 |
| Weber State University | Ogden | Utah | https://www.weber.edu | 4 |
| ATA College | Tulsa | Oklahoma | https://www.ata.edu/campus/tulsa-ok | 4 |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science | Rochester | Minnesota | https://college.mayo.edu | 4 |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester | Minnesota | https://www.rctc.edu | 3 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick | New Jersey | https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu | 3 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | https://www.forsythtech.edu | 3 |
| University of Kansas | Lawrence | Kansas | https://ku.edu | 2 |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha | Nebraska | https://www.unmc.edu | 2 |
| St Philip's College | San Antonio | Texas | https://www.alamo.edu/spc | 2 |
Hybrid & Online Programs
As of 2024, there are no 100 percent online program options in cardiovascular technology that have received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This is due to the essentially clinical nature of the discipline and the importance of hands-on training in preparing people for this career.
However, students seeking flexibility in training may still be able to complete some program prerequisites or coursework in an online format. To check the availability of online and hybrid course options, prospective students should contact program representatives.
| School | City | State | Website | GRADS ('21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical University of South Carolina | Charleston | South Carolina | https://web.musc.edu | 28 |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville | Florida | https://www.sfcollege.edu | 21 |
| Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | https://osuokc.edu | 18 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | https://www.forsythtech.edu | 3 |
Cardiovascular Technology Core & Elective Courses
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT) has provided the curriculum guidelines for cardiovascular technologist training. These standards suggest that programs must cover basic units of instruction—including cardiac and vascular knowledge—and clinical practicums to become accredited. The JRC-CVT also provides examples of how these units of education should be organized in an accredited program:
- Basic Instruction: introduction to patient care techniques and the hospital environment, basic statistics and general mathematics, human anatomy, basic pharmacology of cardiovascular drugs, and basic medical electronics and instrumentation
- Cardiac and Vascular Units: invasive and noninvasive cardiology, and cardiac electrophysiology
- Clinical Units cardiac and vascular pathophysiology, patient psychology, CPR, clinical cardiac and vascular medicine and surgery, medical-legal ethics
Though there is flexibility in which primary and clinical skills are covered in any given program, the cardiac and vascular units are required for program accreditation.
The JRC-CVT prescribed curriculum does not leave room for elective courses. Still, in the case of a bachelor’s degree program, students may be able to choose elective courses to fulfill general education requirements. In addition, students may also select specialized courses focusing on a particular patient population (e.g., pediatrics, echocardiography, other procedure-specific training).
Cardiovascular Technology Program Accreditation
Institutions of higher learning can receive accreditation based on a program or based on their overall offerings. Any school offering cardiovascular technologist training may have one or both types of accreditation.
The primary accrediting body for cardiovascular technologist programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This commission accredits qualifying programs which offer diplomas, certificates, associate’s degrees, or bachelor’s degrees to cardiovascular technologists.
To obtain accreditation from the CAAHEP, programs must meet the standards adopted by several professional organizations, including the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Radiology, and the American Society of Echocardiography. The accreditation process involves a self-study submitted to the commission and a follow-up site visit by an expert in the desired field of accreditation (e.g., cardiovascular technology). For cardiovascular technology programs, the CAAHEP specifically takes recommendations from the JRC-CVT. These evaluations consider the faculty and facilities available to the program, as well as the course curriculum. For more on the CAAHEP accreditation process, visit their website.
Community colleges and universities may also seek accreditation from other bodies based on school type or region, such as the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) or the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). In addition, interested students may be able to find the local accreditation agency for their school by visiting the website for the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Career Outlook
As stated above, the career outlook for cardiovascular technologists is tremendously positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including cardiovascular technologists, is expected to grow by 10 percent between 2022 and 2032 (BLS 2023).
In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that healthcare openings are projected to grow faster than the national average between 2022 and 2032. Specifically, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 4 percent increase in openings for cardiovascular technologists and technicians in the same decade, faster than the average growth expected for all occupations (3 percent). This equates to 2,200 new positions with median annual salaries of $66,170 (BLS May 2023).
| Career Facts | Cardiovascular Technologist |
|---|---|
| Related Careers | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Radiologic Technologist, MRI Technologist |
| Common Job Titles | Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Technologist, Cardiac Catheterization Technician, Cardiac Technician, Cardiology Technician, Cardiopulmonary Technician, Cardiovascular Technician, Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT), Electrocardiogram Technician (EKG Technician), Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) |
| Technology & Equipment | Hemodynamic Monitors, Thermodilution Cardiac Output Computers, Pacemaker Analyzers, Pacemakers, Physiological Monitoring and Analysis Systems, Image Capturing And Transmission Systems, Image Storage Systems, Scan Converters, Inventory Management Software, Digital Imaging Communications In Medicine, EMR Software, Database Software, Information Systems Integration Software, Cardiac |
| Sourced from BLS 2024 | |
Cardiovascular Technology Licensing & Certification
Two organizations offer certification for cardiovascular technologists: the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) offers three certifications related to cardiovascular technology:
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
- Registered Diagnostic Vascular Technologist (RVT)
Most cardiovascular technologist positions require the RDCS credential, an international credential that verifies a professional has reached the highest academic and professional standards for patient and professional safety. The ARDMS offers three specialty exams with the RDCS credential:
- Adult Echocardiography
- Fetal Echocardiography
- Pediatric Echocardiography
Once approved, applicants can take the exam at a Pearson VUE test center.
Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) provides four certification options for cardiovascular technologists, aptly named CCT1, CCT2, and CCT3. The level of certification appropriate for any individual will depend on how much experience they have in the field.
- CCT1: available to current students and recent graduates of cardiovascular technology programs.
- CCT2: available to currently employed technologists.
- CCT3: available to bachelor's degree holders in cardiovascular technology
The exam application fee is $175 and is administered at Pearson Professional Centers year-round.
