Cardiovascular Tech Schools - NJ

Basic arrhythmia interpretation: This course provides students with in-depth knowledge of atrial, junctional and ventricular arrhythmias. The cardiac conduction cycle and methods of interpretation are reviewed. A-V (atrioventricular) blocks and an introduction to pacemaker rhythms are also discussed.

Basic life support: This two-week course provides the skills necessary to recognize and respond to life-threatening emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest and foreign body airway obstruction for victims of all ages. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be awarded a card documenting the successful completion of a course in CPR and BLS for health care professionals.

Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology: Students review body systems and their relationships to the cardiovascular system. Emphasis is placed on the circulatory system, reviewing blood flow, cardiac structures, electrophysiology and cardiac physiology. Once an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology is obtained, principles of pathophysiology and cardiac disease states are introduced.

Electrocardiography: This course provides students with theory and practice of 12-lead EKG interpretation. At the completion of this course, the student will be able to identify axis deviations, bundle branch blocks, hypertrophies, ischemia, infarcts, and the drug/electrolyte effects seen on the 12-lead EKG.

Introduction to invasive cardiology: Students will receive an overview of invasive cardiovascular technology, including the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in our cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Introduction to non-invasive cardiology – stress testing: This course introduces methods of cardiac disease diagnosis based on physiologic testing, including electrocardiogram, exercise stress testing, nuclear stress testing, Holter monitor analysis and ambulatory blood pressure analysis.

Introduction to non-invasive echocardiography (cardiac sonography): Principles and techniques of echocardiography are emphasized including M-mode analysis, two-dimensional (2-D) imaging and Doppler interrogation of the cardiac structures. Application of principles to disease diagnosis will be addressed.

Introduction to non-invasive peripheral vascular studies (day program only):
Classes will focus on three different areas of peripheral vascular diagnostics: venous, arterial and cerebrovascular. Principles and applications of Doppler ultrasound, plethysmography and duplex scanning, plus vascular anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology will be discussed.

Introduction to radiologic technology and protection: This course is designed to provide an overview of radiologic technology. Areas of study include x-ray production, x-ray tube components, image formation and radiographic processing.

Medical terminology: The goal of this course is to provide a foundation of knowledge from which students will learn to communicate (verbal and written) effectively with physicians, peers and other allied health members.

Methods of patient care/patient care lab: This course introduces the student to nursing procedures and techniques used in the general care of patients. Emphasis is placed on the role of the cardiovascular technologist in the handling and care of cardiac patients. Laboratory practice helps students learn to put principles into practice.

Orientation to health care: This orientation is designed to provide the new student with general knowledge of safety practices and hospital procedures including fire and disaster protocols, electrical safety, infection control practices, “right to know,” and radiation safety. Current issues in health care, patients’ rights, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and stress reduction are also discussed. In addition, this course will provide the student with an overview of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and its role in medicine as well as its policies and procedures.

Principles of physics and instrumentation:
This course acquaints students with basic knowledge of ultrasound physics such as wave theory, acoustic intensity, interaction of ultrasound with tissue and Doppler theory.

Advanced Arrhythmia Interpretation:

Using the foundation of knowledge presented in Basic Arrhythmia Interpretation, this course provides the student an opportunity to identify more complex rhythms, SA (sinoatrial) blocks, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, parasystole and aberrancy.

Advanced Arrhythmia Interpretation – Pacemaker:

This course enables students to recognize and interpret pacemaker function. Pacemaker terminology, codes and EKG interpretation are introduced and discussed.

Cardiac Congenital Heart Disease:

Students learn about normal cardiac formation, fetal circulation and postpartum circulation and congenital abnormalities.

Cardiac Pharmacology:

This course introduces the students to drug therapy for cardiac patients with a special emphasis on cardiac medications.

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology:

Students gain a basic understanding of exercise physiology and cardiac rehabilitation. Areas of study include principles of exercise physiology, methods of stress testing, phases of cardiac rehabilitation and dietary considerations.

Hemodynamics:

This course focuses on understanding blood flow and the cardiac cycle including pressure waveform characteristics. Hemodynamic calculations and parameters, principles of hemodynamic monitoring and interpretation of data obtained will be discussed.

Laboratory Diagnostics:
Students learn how common laboratory diagnostic data is used to assess the cardiac patient. Chemistry and hematologic tests will be reviewed, coagulation and endocrine diagnostics will be discussed, and cardiac enzyme studies will be emphasized.

All classes include case studies to reinforce learned information.

Invasive cardiovascular technology

Advanced Invasive Cardiology – Cardiac Catheterization:

This course expands upon the concepts introduced in Introduction to Invasive Cardiology, including right and left heart catheterization and angiography, angioplasty, atherectomy, stents, intraaortic balloon pumping, AICDs (automatic implanted cardioverter defibrillation), cardiac biopsies and intracardiac shunts.

Echocardiography

Advanced Non-Invasive Echocardiography – Adult:

This course expands upon the concepts first presented in Introduction to Non-Invasive Cardiology, including principles of echocardiography and stress testing, hemodynamic calculations, transesophageal and stress echocardiography, and principles of pediatric and fetal echocardiography.

Cardiac Embryology:

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the normal cardiac formation, fetal circulation and postpartum circulation. Congenital abnormalities including abnormalities of separation, valvular formation and vasculature will be discussed.

Peripheral vascular technology

Advanced Non-Invasive Peripheral Vascular Studies:

This course expands upon the concepts and theory presented in Introduction to Non-Invasive Peripheral Vascular Studies, including hemodynamic calculations, abdominal/visceral vascular studies, transcranial Doppler examination and penile Doppler blood flow studies.

Medical Ethics: The purpose of this course is to prepare students for situations they will face during their professional careers. Course work includes terms and concepts of ethics and historical ethical theories and models. Students will also learn about the ethical decision-making process using case studies.

Non-Invasive Case Studies and Digital/Video Critique: This course provides the student with an opportunity to fully develop interpretative skills in non-invasive medical areas. Cases will be reviewed weekly with an emphasis on the sonographer’s thought processes and responsibilities. The students’ own cases will be reviewed and critiqued for diagnostic and image quality.

Professional Development: This course exposes the senior student to the professional leadership role of the cardiovascular technologist. Course work includes conflict resolution, communication in the workplace, working towards win-win relationships, working with diversity and time management.