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Cardiovascular Technology (CVT), A.A.A.S.

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.

Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) handout

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Program Courses and Requirements

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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.

Clinical Education Access Requirements

The Cardiovascular Technology Program requires students to have the following vaccinations, CPR, and health insurance once admitted into the program.

  • TB test results, or Chest X-ray date and report* 
  • Hepatitis B series
  • Tdap
  • Date of Chicken pox or Varicella immunization
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Flu vaccine*
  • COVID - 19 Vaccine*
  • CPR - American Red Cross:  BLS/CPR for Health Insurance or American Heart Association:  BLS provider only must also be completed.  No other types of providers will be accepted
  • Health Insurance - proof of documented and maintained through the duration of the program.

*A flu immunization and TB test or screening must be completed yearly. The TB must not lapse, and the flu vaccine must be acquired no later than November 1.

*GRCC medical and religious exemptions will be addressed once in the program. However, the program cannot guarantee GRCC awarded exemptions will be accepted at every clinical site.

Contact Summer Madrid at summermadrid@grcc.edu for specific vaccination requirements.

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.

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)

3739 National Drive, Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27612 USA
(919) 861-4539

  • Off campus Instruction Disclaimer

Off-campus Instruction Disclaimer

The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), requires colleges participating in federal student aid programs to make certain disclosures. In compliance with these federal laws, Grand Rapids Community College is providing information for specific programs offered at GRCC, which incur additional costs of attendance due to a portion of the program being completed at an off-campus location. The Cardiovascular Technology Program requires off-site instruction, which accounts for approximately 22% of the program courses and includes 936  externship hours at major hospitals in West Michigan. The off-site locations are located within a 115 mile radius of the GRCC’s main Grand Rapids campus. Students are responsible for transportation to the off site locations and any other costs associated with attending the off-campus location. Costs range from $1.00 to $34.00 per trip and may include mileage, parking, and other costs related to the off-site placement (e.g., uniform).

The following list includes possible sites where a student could be assigned to complete their off-campus requirements for the program. The following information is accurate as of July 2023 for the 2023-24 academic year.

 

 

Name of the Institution/Entity

Address

Miles From GRCC

Corewell Health - West

100 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

0.4

Trinity Health - Grand Rapids

200 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

5

Trinity Health- Muskegon

1500 E Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49444

37

Ascension Borgess Hospital

1521 Gull Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

53

Bronson Methodist Hospital

601 John St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

53

E.W. Sparrow Hospital

1215 E Michigan Ave, Lansing MI 48912

69

McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital

2900 Collins Rd, Lansing, MI 48910

74

Corewell Health-Lakeland

W Glenlord Rd, St. Joseph, MI 49085

86

McLaren-Flint

401 S Ballenger Hwy, Flint, MI 48532

113

Hurley Medical Center

1 Hurley Plaza, Flint, MI 48503

114

MyMichigan Medical Center- Midland

4000 Wellness Dr, Midland, MI 48670

115

Program Contact and Application Information

CVT, A.A.A.S. Application Process

Please contact:

Additional Information

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