Allied Health
Noninvasive Cardiovascular Technology
Overview
Program description
Noninvasive Cardiovascular Technology is an allied health profession specifically concerning the diagnosis and
treatment of patients with cardiac and peripheral vascular disease. The technologist performs examinations at the
request or direction of a physician. Through subjective sampling and/or recording, the technologist proceeds with
the examination to create an easily definable foundation of data from which a correct anatomic and physiologic
diagnosis may be established for each patient.
The primary role of the noninvasive cardiovascular technologist is to obtain recordings of ultrasound images
of the heart and related structures for the physician to interpret. The various types of ultrasound equipment
require a highly skilled operator to obtain the imaging information or other data required. The noninvasive
cardiovascular technologist must obtain appropriate clinical history, cardiac-related physical findings, and
pertinent laboratory data in order to adapt the imaging techniques to obtain comprehensive and diagnostic
echocardiographic information.
The Cardiovascular Technology Programs (Invasive and Noninvasive) are accredited by the Commission on
Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee for Cardiovascular
Technology (www.jrccvt.org).
- William W. Goding, Med., RRT
- Executive Director, JRC-CVT
- 6 Pine Knoll Dr.
- Beverly, MA 01915-1425
- (978) 456-5594
- (978) 927-1214 (Fax)
- www.jrccvt.org
Program goals
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
- Perform high quality noninvasive cardiovascular test on patients, while
tailoring the examinations to bring out abnormalities present. Skill will be
developed in performing M-mode, Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiograms,
electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance testing, ambulatory electrocardiographic
monitoring and pacemaker reprogramming and monitoring.
- Quantify, subjectively evaluate and interpret the data collected to assist
the physician in arriving at a diagnosis.
- Develop clinical understanding of the anatomy, physiology, pathology,
diagnosis, and treatment of the major adult and pediatric cardiac diseases and
deformities.
- Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with physicians,
patients and other members of health teams.
The noninvasive cardiovascular technology program is combined with the
invasive cardiovascular technology program for the first three quarters.
Students completing this core program will have the basic scientific, medical
and technical skills necessary to enter the second portion of the program.
The second portion is an intensive study in noninvasive cardiovascular
technology with emphasis on the performance and evaluation of M-mode,
two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Upon completion of didactic
training, the student is assigned to a major medical center where she/he will
complete one quarter of clinical internship as a noninvasive cardiovascular
technologist. As clinical space is limited in Spokane, the student is encouraged
to complete their internship in a major out-of-town medical center.
Career opportunities
Ultrasonic imagery of intracardiac and vascular structures is a rapidly
advancing specialty due to continued technological advances. There continues to
be a demand for trained technologists in hospitals, clinics and physicians
offices. The greatest demand is outside of the Spokane area due to the few
number of training programs available across the nation.
Potential positions include:
- noninvasive cardiovascular technologist
- echo cardiographer
- cardiac sonographer
Persons with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, accommodations for students with disabilities will be considered at the student's request. The student will be required
to register with the Disability Support Services office and provide documentation of disability. Once the student is qualified by
the DSS Manager as having a disability, requested accommodations will be considered. Accommodations for the classroom, laboratory,
or clinical setting will be considered according to reasonableness. Accommodations that compromise patient care, or that
fundamentally alter the nature of the program or activity, are not considered to be reasonable. A student denied accommodation may
request an individualized determination to assure that the denial is not a result of disability discrimination by contacting the
Manager of Disability Support Services and Testing at 533-7498. Procedures for appeal are outlined in the SCC Center for
Students with Disabilities Student Handbook. Other than accommodation issues, procedures for student grievances including
academic dismissal are outlined in the following SCC website:
www.scc.spokane.edu/?concerns.
For additional information, please contact Disability Support Services.