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Program application will be available January - May 31.
Help Your Community Be Heart Healthy!
Cardiovascular Technology is an exciting, rewarding, and relatively new field. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Advances in Cardiovascular Technology and the training of Cardiovascular Technologists have improved the lives of millions of patients. This has resulted in a high demand for graduates working in hospitals and cardiology practices. Florida has the highest employment level in the nation for Cardiovascular Technologists, and employment in the field is expected to grow by 10% from 2021 - 2031 in the United States, much faster than most other fields.
More about Cardiovascular Technology
Median Income
$78,210
as of 2022
Of 2020-2022 graduates,
93.75%
are employed or continuing their education
RCIS exam pass rate is
100%
for 2020-2022 graduates
Careers
Did you know that the state of Florida is the largest employer of cardiovascular technologist?
With a degree in Cardiovascular Technology from FSW, you can pursue careers like:
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist
- Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist
- Cardiac Catheterization Lab Technologist
- Interventional Radiology Technologist
- Electrophysiology Technologist
- Cardiovascular Clinical Applications Specialist
- Cardiovascular Clinical Sales Representative
- Cardiovascular Management
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cardiovascular Education
Learn more about what a Cardiovascular Technologist does in the Skills section.
Learn more about employability from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Skills
Applicants interested in the Cardiovascular Technology Program should:
- Thrive in a challenging, fast-paced environment
- Be adaptable to change
- Be able to communicate effectively
- Work well in a team environment
What We'll Teach You
The Florida SouthWestern State College Cardiovascular Technology program prepares graduates to function in multiple facets in the cardiovascular catheterization laboratory. The Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist works with a Cardiologist to perform sophisticated tests to diagnose and quantify cardiac disease. This includes coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, etc.
Cardiovascular Technologists assist with diagnostic cardiovascular catheterization procedures and interventional procedures. These procedures include left and right cardiac catheterization, coronary and ventricle angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary angioplasty, rotational and orbital atherectomy, thrombectomy, coronary stenting, valvular repair, pacemaker and defibrillator insertions, etc.
Our graduates will also be prepared to take the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Credential exam and will be eligible to apply to the bachelor’s degree program in Cardiopulmonary Sciences right here at FSW - opening the door to even more career opportunities. Learn more in the Degrees & Credentials section below.
Degrees & Credentials
Associate in Science (AS) Degree
The Cardiovascular Technology Program is a two-year program leading to an Associate in Science (AS) Degree in Cardiovascular Technology.
Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Credential
Graduates may apply for the invasive cardiology registry examination offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for national certification. Upon successful completion of the national exam, graduates earn the RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist) credential making them more versatile in the workplace.
Continuing Toward a Bachelor's Degree?
Florida SouthWestern State College also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences. Graduates of the AS Degree Program in Cardiovascular Technology with the RCIS credential will be eligible to apply for the bachelor’s degree to take the upper division courses. Contact us for more information about earning your bachelor’s degree!
Program Information
The Cardiovascular Technology Program is a 77 credit hour, two-year program leading to an Associate in Science Degree in Cardiovascular Technology. The program's first year comprises both general education and core cardiovascular courses. Students concentrate on core, didactic, lab, and clinical cardiovascular courses in the second year. Clinical instruction occurs at affiliated hospitals throughout Southwest Florida. Each Fall, 26 students are accepted into the program.
View required courses and more details in the College Catalog.
How to Apply
The Cardiovascular Technology program is a limited access program requiring application to both FSW and the program itself once you are admitted to FSW. Admission to FSW usually only requires a high school diploma; further steps will be needed to be admitted to the Cardiovascular Technology program.
Apply to FSW ($30 if you have never taken classes at FSW before)
- Create your admissions application account and select either the AA/AS, New to FSW or AA/AS, Readmit application depending on your situation.
- Select “AA General Studies” as your Academic Program followed by “Cardiovascular Technology (AS)*” as your Area of Academic Interest.
Get Admitted to FSW
- Admission to FSW usually only requires a high school diploma. Send your high school transcripts to FSW as soon as possible after completing your admissions application!
Complete the Cardiovascular Technology Application ($26)
- The application is only available January - May 31.
Complete Enrollment Steps & Program Requirements
Enrollment Steps
- This includes activities like meeting with your advisor and attending college orientation. Your steps will be sent to the email you provide on your FSW admissions application and must be completed in order to register for any classes at FSW.
Program Requirements
Important Dates for Application Process
| Applications Accepted | January - May 31 |
| Watson Glaser Exam | 2/27, 3/25, 4/16, 5/15, 6/3 |
| Interviews (if notified) | May - June |
Contact
For any additional program information, email us at alliedhealth@fsw.edu
Program Contact: Tamra Pacheco Health Professions Coordinator Email tpacheco1@fsw.edu Phone (239) 985-3499
Accreditation
The Florida SouthWestern State College Cardiovascular Technology Program is accredited in invasive cardiovascular technology by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs based on the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is located at 9355 - 113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775, phone 727-210-2350.
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT) is located at 1449 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588-1032, phone 978-456-5594.
Graduate Outcomes
The Florida SouthWestern State College Cardiovascular Technology Program, in accordance with CAAHEP accreditation Standards, offers the three-year (2022, 2021, and 2020) average outcomes for the graduates of the cardiovascular technology program::
- Graduates passing the national Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam: 100%
- Retention Average: 62.26%
- Positive Placement (employed, continuing their education, or serving in the military): 93.75%