Cardiovascular Technology (CVT), A.A.A.S. | Grand Rapids Community College

Partner of the Education Programs in Collaboration (EPiC) Consortium in association with the Michigan Community Colleges Association (MCCA)

The CVT program is offered through a partnership with other Educational Programs in Collaboration (EPiC) Consortium and funded through the Strengthening Community Colleges grant program. Each college within the EPiC Consortium enrolls students in the program under their admission criteria and each awards the degree according to that college’s completion requirements.

Program information

Students in the program complete CVT courses delivered in an online environment by one of the EPiC colleges within the consortium. Clinical education courses are arranged through the EPiC Consortium’s educational coordinator in collaboration with the CVT departments of affiliating hospitals. Throughout the program, students are provided with hands-on experience in cooperation with various hospitals under the direction of the Program Director, program faculty, clinical instructor, and technologists. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Board Certification Examination to become a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Cardiovascular Technologists (CVT) are highly skilled professionals trained to work alongside Cardiologists to perform invasive diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular procedures. Students will also develop skills in the preparation and monitoring of the patient during these diagnostic and therapeutic exams.

Clinical learning experiences are provided by affiliating hospitals. Didactic learning experiences occur through an online environment and in-person laboratory practice. Both are equally important to the development of the competent cardiovascular technologist.

Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) handout

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Program Admissions Requirements

This application process is for individuals who wish to become a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) certified Cardiovascular Technologist. Please make sure to review the exam qualifications and requirements prior to applying to the program.

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) RCIS exam Qualifications

In order to be eligible for admission into the CVT program, students must have successfully completed any required foundational courses with a grade of at least C. It’s recommended to complete all general education courses prior to program entry due to the didactic and clinical nature of the CVT program and full-time course load. We do not offer any part-time options at this time.

To be eligible for graduation and continuing semesters within the program, CVT program students must earn a minimum of “C” in each CVT program course.

Before you apply to the CVT A.A.A.S. program

You must Apply to GRCC, if you're not a current student.

All transcripts from other colleges or universities attended must be received by GRCC’s Enrollment Services June 1st, to be considered for the Fall admission process.

Pre-admissions requirements

Please review the entire list of requirements. All of these will need to be completed prior to program application submission.

General Requirements

Be a high school graduate or have passed the high school equivalency GED (General Educational Development) test.
Have a cumulative high school or college GPA of at least 2.0.

Math Requirements

Math competency must be demonstrated through any one of the following ways:

Completion of MA 098 or higher with a grade of C or better within the last 5 years.

OR
Math Placement Test (ALEKS) with a score of 30 or higher within the last 5 years

Reading and Writing Requirements

Reading and writing competency must be demonstrated through any one of the following ways:

EN 101 with a grade of C or better

OR
Score of 26 on ACT or 400+ on SAT within the last five years

OR
Accuplacer placement test scores of 249+ on the reading portion and 4+ on the written portion. http://www.grcc.edu/admissionsenrollment/placementtesting/accuplacertest.

Biology Requirements

Earn a grade of C or better within 2 attempts in the following course(s) (a withdrawal or drop is considered an attempt):

BI 117 (or equivalent transferred into GRCC) with a grade of C or better within the last 5 years

OR
BI 121 AND BI 122 (or equivalent transferred into GRCC) with a grade of C or better within the last 5 years.

Clinical Education Access Requirements

The Cardiovascular Technology Program requires students to have the following vaccinations, CPR, and health insurance once admitted into the program.

TB test results, or Chest X-ray date and report*
Hepatitis B series
Tdap
Date of Chicken pox or Varicella immunization
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Flu vaccine*
COVID - 19 Vaccine*
CPR - American Red Cross: BLS/CPR for Health Insurance or American Heart Association: BLS provider only must also be completed. No other types of providers will be accepted
Health Insurance - proof of documented and maintained through the duration of the program.

*A flu immunization and TB test or screening must be completed yearly. The TB must not lapse, and the flu vaccine must be acquired no later than November 1.

*GRCC medical exemptions will be addressed once in the program. However, the program cannot guarantee GRCC awarded exemptions will be accepted at every clinical site.

Contact Summer Madrid at summermadrid@grcc.edu for specific vaccination requirements.

Clinical Sites

Corewell Health -Grand Rapids (Formerly Spectrum Health)
Ascension Borgess Hospital -Kalamazoo
Bronson Healthcare -Kalamazoo
Trinity Health- Grand Rapids
Trinity Health -Muskegon
Hurley Medical Center - Flint

Additional Program Information

Graduates will be eligible to sit for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) examination administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). A felony conviction may affect the graduate’s ability to sit for examination. It is strongly recommended to contact CCI prior to program start or early on in the program for pre-application to determine a student’s eligibility to sit for the exam if previously convicted of a felony. Information regarding the RCIS exam application can be found at CCI’s website: cci-online.org.