Cardiovascular Technician Programs in Virginia

How to Become a Cardiovascular Technician in Virginia and Cardiovascular Technician Programs in Virginia

What does a cardiovascular technician do? For human health, the heart is literally the center of physical health. Without a properly functioning heart, the human body will begin to deteriorate quickly. There are doctors, nurses, and other medical professions that specialize in treating and handling cardiovascular issues. The cardiovascular technician is one of those professions. A cardiovascular technician is an essential component in identifying and treating cardiac problems. These technicians can image the heart or assist doctors in correcting cardiac problems. You need to know much more on how to become a cardiovascular technician in Virginia.

What does the state of Virginia expect of cardiovascular technicians in Virginia? A cardiovascular technician in Virginia needs to have Associate in Science degree focusing on cardiovascular technology. While there is no legal requirement for licensure, many employers expect those in this profession to have certification. The degree program generally has two different potential paths: invasive and non-invasive. The invasive education tract trains the technician on handling cardiac equipment in the surgical and outpatient setting for invasive procedures. The non-invasive track involves learning how to image the heart and administer cardiac and pulmonary testing and imaging.

What does a cardiovascular technician need to study? One example of a program offering this field comes from Sentara College of Health Sciences located in Chesapeake, VA. This program focuses on training students in one of four concentrations: invasive, cardiac electrophysiology, non-invasive vascular study, and adult echocardiography. Students take classes in areas such as medical terminology, patient care, cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. After completing their classroom work, the students move into the clinical, skill building area. Students must complete over 1200 clinical hours to obtain their degree. This experience is critical in building their skill before they go into the field with patients.

What else does a cardiovascular technician need to know? Certification exams are offered by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International. Upon completion of the degree program, students are ready to take the exam. Some schools would recommend taking the first part of the exam (Basic Science) while a student. After graduation they are ready for the second part of the exam which depends on their particular specialty. Once the students successfully complete their exam and receive their credentials, they are ready for employment. Many students find they have employment offers already waiting from when they graduated. The need for this field is growing as technology changes and the population ages. It is a rewarding field.

Cardiovascular Technician Schools Near You & Online in Virginia