The first year of the Invasive Cardiovascular Program teaches basic sciences and cardiology and is combined with the Noninvasive Cardiovascular program. In the second year, the Invasive students concentrate on the technical duties of a cardiac catheterization technologist and spend time working in local hospital cardiac laboratories.
Upon completing the didactic training, the student selects an out-of-town medical center where he/she will complete the final quarter of a clinical internship. Students may take the CCI National Registry Exam on graduation. The program is the only CAAHEP- approved invasive technology program in the northwestern United States. The Cardiovascular Technology Programs (Invasive and Noninvasive) are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs based on a recommendation from the Joint Review Committee for Cardiovascular Technology.
Curriculum Outline
First Year
|
1st Semester |
2nd Semester | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course | Title | Credit Hours | Course | Title | Credit Hours |
| English Language | 7 | Medical Instrumentation and Physics | 2 | ||
| Medical Terminology | 1 | Clinical Correlation Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology | 2 | ||
| Basic Anatomy |
1 |
Echo/Cath I | 7 | ||
| Basic Physiology | 2 | ||||
| Non-Invasive Testing | 2 | ||||
| TOTAL | 11 | TOTAL | 13 | ||
Second Year
|
1st Semester |
2nd Semester | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course | Title | Credit Hours | Course | Title | Credit Hours |
| Cardiac Catheterization / Echocardiography II | 8 | Cardiac Catheterization / Echocardiography III | 2 | ||
| Cardiovascular Therapeutics | 2 | Cardiac Clinical Practicum | 9 | ||
| Cardiovascular Disease Management | 2 | ||||
| TOTAL | 12 | TOTAL | 11 | ||
Internship
At the end of the fourth semester and after completing the final exams and practical assessment, graduates proceed to the six-month internship at the National Guard Hospital. This part of the training is completely hands-on teaching and training to further enhance and fine-tune skills obtained in the clinical practicum final semester. The interns will attend clinics, cases, and interact with patients of the National Guard Hospital, performing diagnostic cardiac tests under supervision and pre-approved guidelines.
During this time, interns will be assessed and monitored continually for their performance on specific clinical objectives including task competency, problem-solving and technical knowledge. Other more subjective areas will also be assessed, including individual initiative, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
The work hours will be set by the attending hospital and may relate to existing shift work hours to ensure interns receive a full understanding of the requirements and commitment necessary for their chosen career path.
