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Career/Program Overview

RCTC’s Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (CVIS) program trains students to work in collaboration with and under the supervision of physicians to assist with the preparation and to perform diagnostic and therapeutic invasive cardiology procedures.  The CVIS technologist must have the technical skills and competence to assist with these invasive procedures.  Invasive cardiovascular procedures are performed in a clinical cardiovascular laboratory environment.  Visit us at http://www.rctc.edu/program/cvis/.

Curriculum-at-a-Glance

Coursework includes cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, cardiovascular pathophysiology, electrocardiography, cardiovascular pharmacology, diagnostic angiography, interventional angiography, electrophysiology, cardiac pacing, cardiovascular hemodynamics, valvular assessment, pediatric/congenital heart disease assessment, cardiac/coronary physiology assessment, x-ray and radiation safety, and instrumentation and electronics associated with the cardiac laboratory environment. 

For more detailed program information, refer to RCTC’s program course requirements at  http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/programs/index.html.

Program/Degree Options

RCTC’s Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist is an Associate in Applied Science degree.  Graduates of the CVIS program are also awarded a Certificate of Completion by Mayo School of Health Sciences.

Program Start Date(s)

This program is jointly offered by RCTC and Mayo Clinic.  Applications can be obtained from Mayo School of Health Sciences.  Students are admitted through the Mayo School of Health Sciences.

The CVIS program is 67 credits and can be completed in as little as 21 months.  During the first two semesters at RCTC, students will take general education and CVIS coursework.  All additional coursework will be completed at Mayo Medical Center – St. Mary’s Hospital campus.

Career Opportunities/Information

Starting wages for the CVIS graduate are approximately $19-$28 per hour or an average of $42,000 annually.  Wages can vary depending on the employer and geographic area.

Typically a graduate of the CVIS program will work in a clinical environment located in a hospital or clinic setting.  Many of these are found in larger medical centers, but there are stand-alone facilities as well.  These could be corporate, not-for-profit or private clinical environments. 

The training received in the CVIS program will allow a person to cross train in a diagnostic clinical area like a stress-test facility or a doctor’s office.  The course work in electrocardiography would also provide for the basic learning needed to cross-train as an EKG tech or monitor tech. 

Much of the clinical curriculum is designed to be applicable for the students learning in the event that they would choose to further their education as a nurse, a radiology technician or in medicine.

Articulations/Accreditations

Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission:  A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  Mayo Foundation is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 

For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see us at: http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/articulations/index.html

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