Cardiovascular Technology
Students who complete the non-invasive Cardiovascular Technology (CVT)
program of study will be prepared to enter the health care field in echo
cardiography labs as adult echocardiographers. The adult echocardiographer uses
ultrasound imaging technology to assist and perform examinations used to
diagnose and treat patients with cardiac disease. The adult echocardiographer,
working under the direction of a physician, is trained in the performance of and is
proficient in the use of non-invasive cardiac ultrasound.
Program Chair
Kristen Wendling
Chaffee Crossing, Fort Smith
(479) 434-5298
kwendling@atu.edu
Clinical Instructor
Candace Harkreader
Cardiovascular Technology is a rapidly advancing specialty area due to continued
technological advances in cardiac sonography. The various types of ultrasound
equipment and the importance of having a full understanding of cardiac sonography require a highly skilled operator to
obtain imaging information or other required data. The adult cardiographer must obtain appropriate clinical history,
cardiac related information, and laboratory data to better adapt the imaging techniques to obtain the most comprehensive
and diagnostic information.
Students completing the Associate of Applied Science in Cardiovascular Technology will prepare to sit for the Registered
Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) exam through the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the Registered
Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (RDCS) exam through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
(ARDMS).
Students who are pursuing a program of study where admission is limited (Cardiovascular Technology, Cosmetology,
Medical Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing and Registered
Nursing), will be assigned a major of Associate of General Studies until admitted into their selected program.
Cardiovascular Technology
Curriculum in Cardiovascular Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree
(70 Semester Credit Hours)
Course #
Course Name
Semester Hours
Fall
BST 1303
Introduction to Computers
3
ENGL 1013
Composition I
3
HIT 1113
Medical Terminology
3
HIT 1123
Human Anatomical Structure I
3
MATH 1113
College Algebra
3
Total
15
Spring
BIOL 1014
or
PHSC 1013
and
PHSC 1021
Introduction to Biological Science
or
Introduction to Physical Science
and
Introduction to Physical Science Lab
3
ENGL 1023
Composition II
4
HIT 1243
Human Anatomical Structure II
(prerequisite: HIT 1123)
3
PSY 2003
General Psychology
3
EMTP 1001
First Aid and CPR
1
Total
14
Students must apply to and be admitted into the technical phase of the
program before taking any of the CVT courses below.
Fall
Core Classes
CVT 2113
Hospital Policies and Patient Care
3
CVT 2123
Sonography Physics and Instrumentation I
3
CVT 2132
Echocardiography I Laboratory
(co-requisite: CVT 2133)
2
CVT 2133
Echocardiography I
(co-requisite: CVT 2132)
3
CVT 2144
Clinical Practicum I
4
Total
15
Spring
Core Classes
CVT 2211
Principles of Electrocardiography
1
CVT 2213
Cardiac Pathology Studies
3
CVT 2223
Sonography Physics and Instrumentation II
(prerequisite: CVT 2123)
3
CVT 2231
Echocardiography II Laboratory
(prerequisite: CVT 2132)
(co-requisite: CVT 2233)
1
CVT 2233
Echocardiography II
(prerequisite: CVT 2133
(co-requisite: CVT 2232)
3
CVT 2244
Clinical Practicum II
(prerequisite: CVT 2144)
4
Total
15
Summer I (Extended)
Core Classes
CVT 2311
Interdisciplinary Cardiac Imaging
1
CVT 2313
Echocardiography Concepts
3
CVT 2323
Physics Concepts
3
CVT 2344
Clinical Practicum III
(prerequisite: CVT 2244)
4
Total
11
TOTAL HOURS
70