Cardiovascular Technologist Schools in Kentucky - KY

Currently, there are two cardiovascular technologist schools in Kentucky approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, www.caahep.org) and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRCCVT, www.jrccvt.org). These schools typically require students to take classes and obtain training on-site under the supervision of a practicing cardiovascular technician.

Students in Kentucky can either obtain a certificate or an Associate's degree in Cardiovascular Technology. A typical cardiovascular tech program takes one to three years to complete, depending on the student's pace and which program they choose.

Students interested in obtaining a certificate in cardiovascular technology will spend the least amount of time in school—usually one to two years at the most. Rather than balancing general education classes with major classes and clinical education training, students in these programs only balance their hands-on training with career-focused cardiovascular tech classes.

Associate's degree students, on the other hand, balance general education classes, cardiovascular tech classes, and clinical training over the course of two to four years. Though there is no difference in the type of classes and training students receive, students in Associate's degree programs may have an advantage over certificate students, especially if they have sought some additional training.

When Kentucky students have completed their cardiovascular technician programs, they can register to become Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists (RCISs), Certified Cardiographic Technicians (CCTs), or any other type of cardiovascular technician through the Association of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS, www.ardms.org) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI, www.cci-online.org). To become certified through one of these organizations, Kentucky applicants must meet a set of education and training requirements, pass an exam, and pay a certification fee.

Cardiovascular tech certificates are usually valid for up to two years. After the two-year period, cardiovascular technicians must renew their certificates by obtaining a set of continuing education credits and paying a renewal feel. Continuing education credits typically consist of classes, seminars, or other cardiovascular tech-related programs provided by the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals, the American Heart Association, the Heart Rhythm Society, or any organization approved by their credentialing organization.