Cardiovascular Technology (CVT), A.A.A.S. | Grand Rapids Community College

Partner of the Education Programs in Collaboration (EPiC) Consortium in association with the Michigan Community Colleges Association (MCCA)

The CVT program is offered through a partnership with other Educational Programs in Collaboration (EPiC) Consortium and funded through the Strengthening Community Colleges grant program. Each college within the EPiC Consortium enrolls students in the program under their admission criteria and each awards the degree according to that college’s completion requirements.

Program information

Students in the program complete CVT courses delivered in an online environment by one of the EPiC colleges within the consortium. Clinical education courses are arranged through the EPiC Consortium’s educational coordinator in collaboration with the CVT departments of affiliating hospitals. Throughout the program, students are provided with hands-on experience in cooperation with various hospitals under the direction of the Program Director, program faculty, clinical instructor, and technologists. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Board Certification Examination to become a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Cardiovascular Technologists (CVT) are highly skilled professionals trained to work alongside Cardiologists to perform invasive diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular procedures. Students will also develop skills in the preparation and monitoring of the patient during these diagnostic and therapeutic exams.

Clinical learning experiences are provided by affiliating hospitals. Didactic learning experiences occur through an online environment and in-person laboratory practice. Both are equally important to the development of the competent cardiovascular technologist.

See courses for this program in the catalog (external link)

Apply today!

Program Courses and Requirements

Program Admissions Requirements

Be a high school graduate or have passed the high school equivalency GED (General Education Development) Test.
Have a high school or college GPA of at least 2.0.
Math competency must be demonstrated through any one of the following ways:
- Math Placement Test (ALEKS) with a score of 30 or higher within the last five years or
- Completion of MA 098 or higher with a grade of C or higher within the last five years.
Reading and writing requirement competency must be demonstrated through any one of the following ways:
- EN 101 with a grade of C or better or
- Score of 26 on ACT or 400+ on SAT within the last five years or
- Accuplacer placement test scores of 249+ on the reading portion and 4+ on the written portion within the last five years (or exam equivalent at attending academic institution as they see fit)
Earn a grade of C or higher within two attempts in the following course (a withdrawal is considered an attempt)
- BI 117: General Human Anatomy and Physiology
Earn a grade C or better in GH110: Medical Terminology 1.
Pass a preliminary Criminal Background Check.
Pass a 7-panel drug screen
Completion or near completion of all General Education course requirements for an associate degree in accordance with your academic institution.

Immunization Requirements

Students should be aware some vaccinations require a series of injections. In these instances, the entire series must be completed by the end of the first semester of the program in order to attend surgical clinical rotations.

Students are encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider before starting the program to ensure they can meet these immunization requirements:

Tuberculosis (Two skin tests or one blood test)
Measles
Rubeola
Rubella
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Pertussis
Hepatitis B
Varicella
Influenza
COVID
other immunizations as required.

Clinical Sites

Corewell Health -Grand Rapids (Formerly Spectrum Health)
Ascension Borgess Hospital -Kalamazoo
Bronson Healthcare -Kalamazoo
Trinity Health- Grand Rapids
Trinity Health -Muskegon
Hurley Medical Center - Flint

Additional Program Information

Graduates will be eligible to sit for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) examination administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). A felony conviction may affect the graduate’s ability to sit for examination. It is strongly recommended to contact CCI prior to program start or early on in the program for pre-application to determine a student’s eligibility to sit for the exam if previously convicted of a felony. Information regarding the RCIS exam application can be found at CCI’s website: cci-online.org.