Alert
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates, FAQs and Resources. Properly worn face coverings are required for entry on all PTC campuses. Read More ...
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates, FAQs and Resources. Properly worn face coverings are required for entry on all PTC campuses. Read More ...
Find the academic program that's right for you. Learn more about PTC's schools and departments and available credentials.
Academics »PTC is here to help you get started on the path toward achieving your goals, whether you're headed toward a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution, or straight into the work force.
Admissions »90% of PTC students receive some form of financial aid. We strive to make higher education affordable to everyone.
Cost & Financial Aid »Whether you're looking for help planning your career, or you need some help in your classes, PTC offers a wealth of resources to ensure you have the right tools for success.
College Resources »Want to update your skills, explore a different career path, or learn a new hobby? We have meaningful learning opportunities that you can use right away.
Continuing Ed »PTC's mission is to transform lives and strengthen communities by providing opportunities for intellectual and economic growth.
About »As the only associate degree program of its kind in South Carolina, Piedmont Technical College’s Cardiovascular Technology program offers a comprehensive study of both invasive and adult echocardiography.
At Piedmont Technical College you’ll get hands-on experience in hospitals and health care settings. You’ll learn from experienced cardiovascular technologists, cardiac sonographers and cardiologists to get the hands-on training you need to excel in the field.
Because the program is much more in depth and hands-on than similar programs, you’ll graduate with practical knowledge of the field, and with direct experience on cutting-edge equipment.
The Cardiovascular Technology program has special program admission criteria which must be completed prior to applying for the clinical phase of the program. A student may be admitted to the college at any time in order to complete prerequisite and general education coursework.
Cardiovascular technologists assist in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels by operating cutting-edge diagnostic equipment. They compare cardiac findings to a standard to identify diseases that can then be treated. Cardiovascular technologists are known to be an extension of the cardiologist.
The job requires both in-depth technical knowledge and a knack for detective work. Cardiovascular technologists often aid clinicians in diagnosing complex medical mysteries — helping patients who have been ill for long periods of time with limited or no response to treatment.
Some Job Duties May Include:
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Cardiovascular Technicians
Salary and career information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Adult Echocardiography
Invasive CVT
Recent graduates have found work at:
Cardiovascular Technology is a title used to describe two basic areas of expertise: Invasive Cardiology and Adult Echocardiography.
Invasive Cardiology utilizes highly sophisticated equipment to perform procedures on patients for diagnostic and interventional treatment of cardiovascular diseases as part of the cardiac catheterization team. The invasive technologist assists a cardiologist in all aspects of the cardiac catheterization.
Adult Echocardiography involves sonographers who perform echocardiograms, or ultrasound imaging, to evaluate different aspects of the heart and blood vessels, such as chamber size, valve function, and blood flow. They must be familiar with cardiac diseases in order to identify any abnormalities and document them via ultrasound imaging. While cardiac sonographers do not themselves diagnose patients, they assist cardiologists with the diagnostic process.
Our Adult Echocardiography and Invasive Cardiology programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775; (727) 210-2350, www.caahep.org, upon the recommendation of The Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT), www.jrccvt.org, 1449 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588-1032.
Cardiovascular Technology is a limited enrollment program that has special admissions requirements. These requirements must be completed before you can be accepted.
If you are a new student, there are three key steps to complete before entering the Cardiovascular Technology program:
Before applying for program entry, be sure you meet the requirements for acceptance. Start by connecting with an advisor and review program requirements.
We've also provided the resources below to assist you with the program acceptance process.
Fact Sheets are designed for students and advisors to review program-specific requirements and program application procedures. Please make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your academic goals and progress, and to develop your individualized degree plan.
The application worksheet is used to calculate points toward competitive program entry.
Our semester-by-semester graduation plans will show you when required courses in your major are offered. Following this plan will help you stay on track and graduate on time.
Students in the Health Care Certificate that are focusing on Cardiovascular Technology should consider the following coursework to complete the appropriate program-ready and general education coursework needed for Cardiovascular Technology.
We strongly recommend that students review the Health Care Division FAQ to be fully aware of our program entry requirements.
Guided Pathways are designed to assist students in scheduling the order of courses to become program-ready or to complete the Health Care Certificate for their desired program.
College Prep Pathway
College Ready Pathway
Transitional Pathway
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to become program ready, it’s time to apply to the program.
Applications are accepted for the fall entry into the Cardiovascular Technology program on the following schedule
Program applications must be submitted during the scheduled dates for this program to be considered.
Note: If you haven't already done so, you must apply to the college before completing the Cardiovascular Technology program application.
* Students accepted into any Health Care program will be required to attend a program orientation. Accepted students will NOT be excused from attending this mandatory orientation.