Cardiovascular Technologist

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• utilize mathematical concepts of the metric system, fractions, decimal fractions, fundamental algebraic operations, and scientific notation to analyze and calculate the hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system in accordance with criteria specified by the instructor.
• analyze and calculate hemodynamic function indices of force, energy, velocity, area, pressure Starling’s Law, Poiseuille’s Law, the Law of Laplace, the Bernoulli Effect, the Continuity Equation, and Reynold's Equation within the cardiovascular system, given data from cardiac catheterization, echocardiographic, or vascular laboratories.
• define the methods of calculation and the clinical relationships of force, pressure, pressure gradients, flow, resistance, velocity, and area within the cardiovascular system in accordance with criteria consistent with industry standards.
• apply the above physics concepts, laws, and effects as they pertain to the symptomatology associated with cardiac and vascular obstructions and aneurysms as well as in the techniques of detecting the manifestation of these physiological changes.
• identify and describe lower extremity deep and superficial venous anatomy.
• describe the venous return system including the function of valves, cardiac suction, calf, and respiratory pump, and the role of hydrostatic pressure on the function of the system.
• describe and analyze basic venous pathology and the conditions resulting from complications.
• state and define the clinical applications of duplex ultrasound and plethysmography in the evaluation of the cardiovascular system in accordance with industry standards.
• define basic physical principles of diagnostic ultrasound and methods of their display, measurement, and analysis.
• define, describe, and solve mathematical problems involving the parameters of sound waves.
• describe the electrical properties of induction and capacitance and define their use in the cardiac defibrillator.
• describe the basic principles of analog-to-digital conversion; define the Nyquist theorem.
• summarize the concepts of measurement theory and the standards of accuracy and precision required in the operation of specified medical electronic instruments in accordance with criteria consistent with industry standards.
• describe the components and assemble, flush, and calibrate the pressure transducer setup for hemodynamic monitoring.
• define the components of the Electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform, relating them to cardiac electrical and mechanical activity. Apply electrodes and perform the standard 12-lead ECG.
• analyze and interpret ECG rhythm strips.
• state and define the principles of electrical safety associated with medical instrumentation in the clinical environment.
• describe the basic components of a simple electrical circuit, the concepts of resistance, capacitance and inductance and the laws that govern electricity and magnetism.
• describe the principles associated with calibration, measurement, random error, non-random error, and their relationship to performing clinical diagnostic tests.
• describe the categories and characteristics of biomedical signal detectors.
• perform laboratory exercises in measurement theory, graphing techniques, and basic electrical circuit analysis.
• use computer software to construct and analyze simple electrical circuits and calculate the values for resistance, voltage, resistance, and current in series and parallel electrical circuits.
• describe the components, calibration techniques, and clinical application of the electrocardiograph; and perform, record, and calculate prescribed parameters of the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and use specified medical and anatomical terminology common to the field of Cardiovascular Technology.
• identify the anatomical components and interrelationships of the chambers, valves, walls, septa, tissues, and arterial/venous connections of the human heart.
• recognize, analyze, and differentiate intracardiac pressure gradients, oxygen saturations, and dynamic pressure values from the various chambers of the heart and great vessels given data obtained from the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and bedside hemodynamic monitoring.
• recognize the vascular circulation and differentiate venous and arterial anatomy and physiology. Summarize and subdivide the components of the cardiac cycle.
• cite and correlate fundamental pharmacologic concepts such as drug classification, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and common abbreviations.
• define the role of the cardiovascular technologist with the delivery and documentation of medications.
• identify and summarize the cardiovascular drug classifications introduced.
• select the appropriate classification of medication for the described cardiovascular patient.
• design and produce a presentation focused on a cardiovascular medication meeting criteria.
• define prescribed terms, abbreviations, symbols, and units of measurement commonly used in conjunction with cardiovascular pharmaceuticals.
• describe prescribed legal issues associated with cardiovascular pharmaceuticals and the role of the Cardiovascular Technologist.
• summarize commonly prescribed medications used for the treatment of heart disease.
• explain the mechanism of action of select cardiovascular medications.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify basic principles of x-ray physics as related to medical imaging.
• recognize and apply appropriate radiation safety equipment and dosage/exposure limits.
• calculate the theoretical contrast dosage limit for a patient.
• employ appropriate angiography equipment geometry to analyze disease patterns.
• compare and contrast normal and abnormal cardiovascular angiographic data.
• measure angiographic lesion placement and burden.
• define the significant angiographic characteristics of cardiovascular clinical disease patterns.
• compare and contrast normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology measured via intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography techniques.
• describe the principles and clinical application of fluoroscopy and cineangiography in diagnostic and interventional cardiology.
• describe the principles and clinical application of contrast injection used in the diagnosis of congenital and acquired heart disease.
• identify and describe prescribed angiographic views utilized in the Cardiac Cath Lab setting.
• identify and describe the clinical application of prescribed contrast agents used in diagnostic cardiology.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• describe the clinical environment of the Cardiovascular Technologist with understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Infection Control policies and practices.
• describe the use of ionizing radiation in the clinical setting of the Cardiovascular Technologist and Radiation Safety concepts and practices.
• identify and demonstrate how to follow hospital standards and guidelines.
• exhibit compliance with healthcare requirements of allied health students.
• review and practice professionalism in the healthcare setting.
• employ behavior standards expected of the Cardiovascular Technology professional.
• identify and describe the arterial anatomy of the arm from the axilla to the wrist including anatomical orientation.
• describe the proper technique used in attaining the measurement of indirect systemic blood pressure (BP), and the physiologic changes that lend to the efficacy of the techniques used.
• demonstrate proficiency, patient care, and communication while acquiring, recording, and calculating systemic BP using an aneroid sphygmomanometer and stethoscope with 100% accuracy.
• identify and describe basic extracranial and intracranial cerebral vasculature utilizing diagrams, ultrasound images, proper anatomical presentation and orientation.
• describe the rationale, instrumentation, performance, and interpretation of carotid artery duplex scanning.
• accurately attain, optimize, and analyze transverse and sagittal ultrasound images and pulsed wave (PW) Doppler including peak systolic and end diastolic velocity measurements and waveforms of the extracranial carotid arteries.
• identify and describe basic cardiac anatomy utilizing diagrams, ultrasound images, proper anatomical presentation and orientation.
• accurately attain, optimize, and analyze basic apical, parasternal long and short axis ultrasound echocardiographic images, M-Mode, Pulse Wave (PW) Doppler including measurements in M-Mode and PW Doppler waveforms.
• identify and describe the arterial anatomy of the lower extremity utilizing diagrams, and proper anatomical presentation and orientation.
• describe the rational, instrumentation, performance, and interpretation of ankle brachial index (ABI) measurement, and the physiologic changes that lend to the efficacy of the techniques used.
• accurately attain, optimize, analyze continuous wave (CW) Doppler waveforms and calculate ABI.
• describe and identify proper basic patient transfer techniques.
• demonstrate proficiency in effective patient care and communication throughout the application and performance of all skills and techniques established throughout the course.
• consistently demonstrate, recognize, describe, and implement proper ergonomics during the performance of all skills and techniques established throughout the course.
• describe, identify, and apply the theoretical concepts and the clinical technique for measurement of the systemic blood pressure.
• describe, identify, and apply the theoretical concepts and the clinical technique to record and optimize fundamental ultrasound images and Doppler of the extracranial carotid artery system and other prescribed structures associated with vascular duplex imaging in the evaluation of carotid artery disease.
• describe, identify, and apply the theoretical concepts and the clinical technique to record and optimize fundamental parasternal and apical ultrasound images, M-Mode and Doppler of the heart associated with echocardiographic imaging in the evaluation of cardiac disease.
• describe, identify, and apply the theoretical concepts and the clinical technique to record and optimize ABI.
• define and exhibit principles of patient communication to demonstrate compassion, patient understanding, and patient comfort in the clinical environment during the performance of clinical diagnostic testing.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• recognize and differentiate cardiovascular disease processes such as ischemic heart disease, inflammatory heart disease, heart rhythm disease, and peripheral vascular disease.
• explain and diagnose resulting cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure and hypertension.
• predict how cardiovascular health is affected by renal and pulmonary disease.
• identify and recall embryologic development of the normal heart.
• illustrate and contrast fetal circulation compared with adult circulation.
• describe how cardiovascular disease can develop into heart failure and hypertension.
• identify the embryologic development of the heart and great vessels.
• describe the structural changes, pathophysiology, clinical findings, and interventional procedures associated with prescribed congenital malformations of the heart.
• categorize common cardiac disease processes.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• recognize and interpret basic concepts of hemodynamic monitoring, physiologic calculations, and arrhythmia detection.
• identify and differentiate catheters, guide wires, and introducers according to the type of cardiac catheterization procedure.
• practice and contrast the responsibilities of the invasive cardiovascular technologist in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab as defined by the roles of Monitor, Scrub, and Circulator during diagnostic studies.
• acquire basic skills used for diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures.
• articulate and implement the principles of the practice of sterile technique for vascular access procedures.
• identify and interpret normal versus abnormal hemodynamic waveforms.
• prepare a patient, assemble a sterile field, setup equipment, and perform the steps required for a standard left heart catheterization.
• demonstrate proper aseptic technique in gowning, gloving, and opening sterile product.
• demonstrate and contrast proper calibration, measure the quality assurance procedures for blood pressure transducers in monitoring systems.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate professional behavior in the clinical environment of the Cardiovascular Technologist with understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and infection control policies and practices.
• demonstrate radiation safety concepts and practices of ionizing radiation in the clinical setting of the Cardiovascular Technologist.
• demonstrate how to follow hospital standards and guidelines.
• exhibit compliance with healthcare requirements of allied health students in clinical settings.
• employ behavior standards expected of the Cardiovascular Technology professional.
• demonstrate aseptic techniques which prevent the introduction and spread of infectious disease into the clinical environment.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• apply basic concepts of hemodynamic monitoring, pulmonary gas exchange, acid-base chemistry, and physiologic calculations.
• evaluate hemodynamic patterns of cardiovascular disease.
• identify and differentiate diagnostic and interventional equipment and devices utilized for cardiovascular procedures performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
• setup and demonstrate the proper preparation and handling of interventional equipment for cardiovascular procedures performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
• interpret basic electrophysiologic waveforms and identify the appropriate treatments and ablation techniques for cardiac arrhythmias.
• describe and demonstrate the principles of the practice of sterile technique for vascular access procedures.
• demonstrate the configuration and clinical utilization of prescribed instrumentation used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
• differentiate normal from abnormal findings in hemodynamic indices, blood chemistry, hematologic, and blood gas analysis studies.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate professional behaviors to include effective communication, timeliness, and adherence to policies established in the clinical setting the student is assigned.
• utilize developing interactive skills with patients, cardiovascular technologists, physicians, and other department team members.
• build upon application of knowledge and skills, effective use of the equipment, protocols of the clinical setting, and participation as directed by their preceptors.
• participate in calculating results and gathering information required for the procedure report as instructed.
• anticipate what additional equipment or testing may be required.
• demonstrate the expected professional relationships between the Cardiovascular Technologist, the patient, the physician, and other members of the healthcare team.
• perform basic functions of diagnostic cardiovascular exams/procedures common to adult echocardiography labs, Cardiac Catheterization Labs, or Vascular Ultrasound Labs with direction from clinical proctors.
• apply skills/knowledge independently to participate in daily lab workflow as appropriate.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify and assess the principles utilized in the determination of myocardial blood flow.
• demonstrate and contrast the selection, preparation, and use of interventional devices such as percutaneous coronary devices, structural heart devices, peripheral devices, and electrophysiological procedure equipment and devices.
• exhibit setup and operation of mechanical support devices.
• identify and discuss the principles utilized in vascular closure technologies.
• demonstrate and contrast the selection, preparation, and clinical application of structural heart interventions such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement, mitral valve modifications, and left atrial appendage occlusion.
• demonstrate an understanding of electrophysiology studies as they pertain to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
• identify anatomy and physiology of the neonate or child.
• identify acquired and congenital diseases for pediatric patients.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• demonstrate preparation for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• display professional behaviors consistent with the role of the Cardiovascular Technologist.
• develop and enhance cardiovascular skills and knowledge in the clinical setting under the guidance of the student’s preceptor.
• practice and self-appraise performance of skills used for diagnostic cardiovascular procedures/exams, with Invasive students engaging interventional procedures as applicable.
• prioritize tasks, decisions, and workflow common to the clinical site the student is assigned.
• work independently as directed by their clinical preceptor.
• demonstrate the professional behaviors of an “entry-level” cardiovascular technologist.
• apply the technical skills expected of an “entry-level” cardiovascular technologist. Utilize cardiovascular knowledge to assess and treat patients as an “entry-level” cardiovascular technologist.