Program Director's Message

Message from the Program Director

Thank you for your interest in the Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) program at Polk State College. The CVT program fosters and supports creative, positive learning experiences for students within an atmosphere of academic excellence and continuous improvement. Our goal is to provide every student with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes needed to excel within the invasive and diagnostic cardiovascular fields. 

A cardiovascular technologist is an integral member of the cardiac catheterization team, who assists the cardiologist in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), and provides patient hemodynamic monitoring and analysis during these procedures. Students learn hands-on techniques to assist physicians during a variety of state-of-the-art interventional procedures, including angioplasty and stenting.

Individuals who choose this career must enjoy working with people, and must be sensitive to psychosocial and physical needs of the patient and their families. A cardiovascular technologist must be able to follow instructions and work well under pressure as a team member. Rapid critical-care thinking and decision making is pertinent to efficient functioning within the lab. In addition, a thorough understanding of human anatomy and physiology with emphasis on the cardiovascular system is a must.

Graduates from the Cardiovascular Technology program will find employment in hospital cardiac cath labs, outpatient cardiovascular labs, and traveling agencies in Florida and throughout the country. Entry-level technologists can expect to make approximately $45,000 annually. This pay is based on a 40-hour work week, and has potential to increase with on-call pay and shift differential. 

Graduates who complete the CVT program will be eligible to sit for the national boards administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credential.

For more information, please contact me by e-mail or the phone number listed below. Thank you again for your interest in the CVT Program.

Sincerely, 

Kevin Ferrier, RT(R)(CV) Program Director, Cardiovascular Technology Phone: 863-669-2947 E-mail: kferrier@polk.edu