Cardiovascular Technology (CVT)

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

1. You must Apply to GRCC, if you're not a current student.
2. 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. 

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.
   

Please be sure to read all instructions regarding the application process and how to send in your completed application. 

Step1 

Apply to GRCC and send official transcripts from ALL current or previously attended colleges to the registrar’s office for transfer.

Apply to GRCC

Step 2

Complete the CVT Application Form. GRCC student ID number is required to be on the form.

CVT Application

 Current Resume  *If you need assistance with your resume and cover letter, please contact GRCC Student Employment Services 

Cover Letter outlining your intent and interest to enter the CVT Program

Two letters of recommendation

• One from a current supervisor who has worked with you within the past three (3) years. This can be mailed on company letterhead, signed and mailed directly to the CVT Program Director at the address listed above or provided through email documentation using the current company provided email address.
• One from a co-worker who has worked with you within the past three (3) years. This can be attached to your application when you submit or emailed directly to the program director.
• Unofficial transcripts from ALL current and past colleges of attendance are to be emailed to the CVT program director. If you’ve a
  • Transcripts must verify a minimum of a C or better in all required foundational courses.
  • Unofficial transcripts must be included in the packet.

Applications can be mailed or emailed to Rachel Morairty, CVT Program Director. When sending in your application packet, please make sure to include everything together in one email or packet. This excludes letters of recommendation, which can be mailed or emailed directly to the program director. 

Mailing Address for Physical Applications:

Rachel Morairty– 502 CPP
Cardiovascular Technology Program Director
143 Bostwick Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Email address for Electronic Applications:

rachelmorairty@grcc.edu

Resources

Resume and cover letter: Please ensure to use correct spelling and proper grammar. If you need assistance with creating a resume or cover letter, once you have applied to GRCC and have been accepted, you can reach out to the GRCC Student Employment Assistance department for guidance. 

Program Director – 502 CPP
Cardiovascular Technology
143 Bostwick Ave. NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

CVT orientation: There will be a required CVT orientation day for students accepted into the program before the beginning of the school year. You will be notified if you are accepted.

Scoring Rubric

Cumulative College GPA

Total points: X/25 points possible

The mission and purpose of the EPiC Cardiovascular Technologist Program is to provide for both the personal and professional career development of each Cardiovascular Technologist student.

The general goals of the program are:

1. Graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for competency as an entry-level Cardiovascular Technologist.
2. Graduates will exhibit professional growth and development through the values, attitudes and behaviors necessary of an entry-level Cardiovascular Technologist.
3. To prepare entry-level cardiovascular technologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession.
4. To prepare graduate to communicate effectively and professionally.
5. Graduates will complete the program within the scheduled timeframe with the ability to earn Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credentials to successfully work in the field of Cardiovascular Technology.

Graduates of the EPiC Cardiovascular Technology program will be able to function as competent entry-level cardiovascular technologists in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains within the procedural room environment. After completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the RCIS exam.

Upon completion of the required courses within the Cardiovascular Technology program curriculum, the student will be able to:

1. Apply the principles of aseptic technique, sterile technique, and infection precautions. (Psychomotor) (Cognitive)
2. Interact professionally within the procedural room environment, concerning all parties. (Affective)
3. Function in the role of the cardiovascular technologist within the procedural team and the catheterization lab environment. (Psychomotor) (Cognitive)
4. Identify the structures and functions of the human heart and vasculature and commonly found pathologies. (Cognitive)
5. Identify and prepare for the specific uses of the essential furnishings, equipment, and supplies used for procedures within the cardiac catheterization lab. (Psychomotor) (Cognitive)
6. 6. Protect and respect the patient’s right to privacy and safety. (Psychomotor)(Cognitive)(Affective)
7. Prepare all sterile areas, instruments, and equipment required for a catheterization laboratory procedure. (Psychomotor)
8. Assist with the sterile draping, gowning, gloving, case management, and other preparations essential to cardiovascular procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab. (Psychomotor)
9. Assist with the procedure including: patient pre-procedure preparation, preparing equipment and procedure room, passing of instruments and equipment, correctly handling all sterile equipment and supplies, monitoring patient vitals and hemodynamics, proper documentation of procedure and vitals, provide patient education related to cardiovascular catheterization, and quality assurance of equipment. (Psychomotor) (Affective) (Cognitive)
10. Recognize changes in hemodynamics, patient vitals, and cardiac rhythms and respond accordingly while conscientiously adhering to required precautions in patient care. (Cognitive) (Psychomotor)
11. Dismantle a procedural room set-up following a procedure including: preparation of specimens for delivery to the laboratory, disconnecting equipment, separation of disposable and non-disposable items, and caring for instruments according to hospital policy and procedure. (Psychomotor)(Cognitive)

• Corewell Health -Grand Rapids
• Trinity Health- Grand Rapids
• U of M Health West- Wyoming, MI 
• Ascension Borgess Hospital -Kalamazoo
• Bronson Healthcare -Kalamazoo
• Trinity Health -Muskegon
• McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital 
• U of M Health-Sparrow Lansing 
• Corewell Health Lakeland- St. Joseph, MI
• Hurley Medical Center - Flint
• McLaren-Flint
• Henry Ford Hospital- Detroit

*The off-site locations are located within a 153 mile radius of the GRCC’s main Grand Rapids campus. Students are responsible for transportation to the off site locations and any other costs associated with attending the off-campus location.

Students should be aware some vaccinations require a series of injections. In these instances, the entire series must be completed by the end of the first semester of the program in order to attend surgical clinical rotations.

Students are encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider before starting the program to ensure they can meet these immunization requirements:

• Tuberculosis (Two skin tests or one blood test)
• Measles
• Rubeola
• Rubella
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella
• Influenza
• COVID
• other immunizations as required.

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