Program Admission Criteria

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE

The Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) Program is a limited-access program that admits only one cohort per year.  The open application window runs from April 15 through May 30, with classes beginning each August or fall term.   If the application deadline falls on a weekend, the application is due on the Friday prior to May 30.  Any application not directly viewable within the Etrieve system by the stated deadline, including transcripts and other required documentation viewable within the college computer system, will not be processed.  No applications will be accepted past the deadline for any reason.

The following program prerequisite courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” or better prior to admission:

    • ENC 1101     English Composition
    • MAC 1105     College Algebra
    • BSC 2085C  Human Anatomy & Physiology I *
    • BSC 2086C  Human Anatomy & Physiology II *
    • HSC 1531     Medical Terminology

* Only live in-person laboratory courses will be accepted for consideration of an application into this program.  Online or virtual laboratory courses and Pass/Fail grades are not accepted for these courses.

In addition to the prerequisite courses, the following are minimum requirements for admission to the Cardiovascular Technology Program:

    • Acceptance to Polk State College as a credit student with all required admission documents and fees received by the Registrar
    • Completion of any required college prep courses
    • Program ONLY accepts American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Health Care Providers (CPR)
    • Overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
    • Completion of the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). The CVT Program requires a minimum composite score of 70 on the TEAS test, even if the student has a prior degree.  No remote TEAS scores will be accepted. Click here for more information.

After acceptance into the CVT Program, the following co-requisites must be completed by each student under the direction of the program director and clinical coordinator, prior to the beginning of program core courses in the fall term:

    • Complete medical physical
    • Immunization records verifying the required MMR, Varicella, PPD, Tdap, Influenza, and Hepatitis B vaccinations have been administered (influenza vaccination received during flu season; Hepatitis B (3-shot series) must be completed or in progress before clinical rotations)
    • Current titer levels for required immunizations AND surface antigen for Hepatitis B once the three-shot series is completed
    • 10 Panel Drug Screening
    • Affidavit of Moral Character attesting to the non-committance of specific criminal acts
    • National Background Check AND Sexual Predator Background Check

NOTE: The program reserves the right to update the program requirements and curriculum sequence per accreditation standards and guidelines.  Every effort will be made to notify prospective applicants of program updates; however, changes may not be reflected in the current college catalog.  Contact the program director for the most current information or if there are any questions.

PROGRAM COST

The cost of the two-year program is approximately $11,000.  This cost includes course fees, books, uniforms, national registry fees, physical, CastleBranch immunization records tracker, Trajecsys student record tracking, and ACLS Certification.  This figure does not include any college prep courses, admission testing, additional classes the student may enroll in, or travel to and from clinical rotations.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS

The CVT Program is a full-time program which runs for six consecutive terms.  Students are highly encouraged not to work during enrollment in this vigorous program.  The only breaks from didactic and clinical instruction are the days that are delineated within each term’s College Academic Calendar.  Per program core performance standards, students can expect to be on their feet most of the day while in the hands-on lab and during clinical rotations.  The program begins each fall term and ends upon the completion of the summer term in the second year.

During the first year of the program, students can expect to be in class, hands-on lab, and clinical observation Monday – Friday.  There are never weekend classes, hands-on labs, clinical observations, or clinical rotations.  Typically, didactic courses are on Tuesday or Thursday in block-style scheduling.  For a standard three-credit course, instruction is provided for three hours during one meeting each week.  The curriculum sequence does have two courses which are taught in the late afternoon (4:00 pm to 7:00 pm).

The hands-on portion of the curriculum has students in lab either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday all day (9:30 am – 3:30 pm), with clinical observations occurring in affiliate cath labs throughout Central Florida (typically 7:00 am – 4:00 pm) on days when students are not scheduled in lab.  In addition, students are required to utilize the hands-on lab a specific number of additional times, above and beyond scheduled lab with their instructor, as outlined in the course syllabi.

During the second year of the program, students can expect clinical rotations two – three days per week.  Clinical rotation times vary according to the affiliate to which the students are assigned.  Students will go to multiple affiliate sites, both close and distant from their homes.  Students must possess a valid driver’s license and a means of transportation to and from clinic, lab, and didactic courses.  The only didactic course in year two is the capstone review course, which prepares students for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam.  Every student will have the opportunity to sit for the credentialing exam during the last term in the program, prior to graduation, and before students begin working in the cath lab.

PROGRAM CORE COURSE SEQUENCE

The course sequence is composed of the required 77 credits to earn an associate degree in this discipline.  This includes program prerequisites (17 credits), required general education courses (9), and core program courses (51 credits).  Students will complete over 1,000 hours of clinical experience in preparation to begin their new careers.

Year 1 – Fall Term

CVT1000 Intro. to CV Technology (3)

CVT1261 CV Anatomy & Physiology (2)

CVT2500 EKG Interpretation (3)

CVT1800L CV Pre-Practicum I (3)

Year 1 – Spring Term

CVT2420 Invasive Cardiology I (3)

CVT1220 CV Pharmacology (3)

CVT1801L CV Pre-Practicum II (5)

Year 1 – Summer Term

CVT2421 Invasive Cardiology II (3)

CVT2511 Radiation Safety & Biology (3)

CVT1805L CV Intervention Pre-Practicum III (5)

Year 2 – Fall Term

CVT2120L CV Practicum IV (5)

Year 2 – Spring Term

CVT2843L CV Practicum V (5)

Year 2 – Summer Term

CVT2950 CV Capstone Review (3)

CVT2844L CV Practicum VI (5)

Students are encouraged to complete the required general education courses within the curriculum sequence at their discretion. All courses must be completed with a “C” or greater to remain in the program. Students who fail the same course twice or two separate courses will be dismissed from the program and will be ineligible to return. 

Please direct any questions to Program Director Kevin Ferrier, BS, RT(R)(CV), at 863.669.2947 or kferrier@polk.edu.