Overview
The Associate in Science in Cardiovascular Technology Program prepares students for a career as a cardiovascular technologist, monitoring heart function, recording vital data and helping to care for patients before and after procedures. This program combines hands-on learning, advanced medical technology and critical-thinking skills. Eligible graduates sit for the national boards administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credential. Upon successful completion of the exams, graduates are prepared to work in hospitals and clinics as members of cardiac catheterization lab teams.
Program curriculum and outcomes
All classes available next semester
Admission Requirements
- Enrolled at Polk State
- Completion of each prerequisite course with a “C” or better with at least a 2.5 grade-point average
- American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR Certification
- Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Overview
- Computerized test assessing Reading, English/language conventions, Mathematics and Science
- Required even if student has a prior degree
- Must be taken in a proctored, in-person environment at an educational institution (remote/proctored-at-home scores are not accepted)
- Offered at Polk State’s Winter Haven Campus Testing Center (TLCC) at scheduled times
- Testing time up to 4.5 hours
- Cost at Polk State: $90 per attempt (financial aid does not cover it); other sites may charge different fees
Attempt Limits
- Maximum 3 attempts within any 365-day period (the first attempt starts the clock)
- Minimum 30 days between any two attempts
- These limits apply regardless of where the test is taken
Score Validity
- Scores must be no older than 2 years from the application year
- Only in-person proctored scores are accepted
- Polk State cannot accept scores printed by the student or posted on another institution’s transcript
Preparation
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare using the official ATI TEAS Manual and online practice resources (available at www.atitesting.com or the Polk State Bookstore). Use materials for the current version of the TEAS.
- Register and pay through the Polk State Continuing Education webpage:
- Select “Testing” → “Allied Health TEAS” → choose date/time → pay
- Create an ATI Account at www.atitesting.com before test day:
- Include your Polk State Student ID
- Enter expected graduation date (based on planned program start)
- Save username and password for test day
Important: Create a Polk State student account before testing. This allows scores to be posted directly to your academic record and avoids extra transcript fees.
Testing at Another Institution
- You must request ATI send an official score transcript to Polk State (ATI charges a fee)
- You must have already applied to Polk State so a student record exists
- Save the email ATI sends you until scores appear in your Polk State record
Need Assistance?
- If you must cancel a scheduled test at Polk State, contact the Tutoring and Testing Center before the appointment to avoid liability.
- Technical problems: The proctor decides whether to continue or discontinue. If discontinued, the attempt does not count. If you continue after resolution, the attempt counts.
Accreditation
The Cardiovascular Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT).
The Report of Program Outcomes to the Public includes data delineating annual program enrollment rate, annual program completion rate, credentialing exam pass rate and job (positive) placement rate. This data is updated and submitted annually to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon review from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT) in the Report of Current Status (RCS).
The following Report of Program Outcomes to the public data reflects the program’s three-year average (2024-2023-2022) retention/graduation rates, credentialing exam pass rates and job (positive) placement rates. Positive Placement is defined as a graduate employed full or part-time in a related field; and/or continuing education; and/or serving in the military.
The numbers for the three-year average are based off the limited-admission program which accepts a maximum of 13 students in each annual cohort. These student numbers specifically list details of all students who are accepted and complete the program but also include those who did not complete the program, for the required reportable outcomes. The loss of one or two students, as well as the same number of students choosing not to sit for the credentialing exam or not passing the credentialing exam on the first attempt, dramatically affects the three-year average for program enrollment/completion, exam pass rate and positive placement.
2024-2023-2022 Program Enrollment/Completion Rate: 77%
This assessment is calculated by the number of students who entered the program and subsequently completed the two-year curriculum over the three-year review window. Thirty-five (35) students were initially enrolled during the review window. Twenty-Seven (27) students went on to complete the two-year program (Two (2) of those students went on to complete the program in 2025). Eight (8) students withdrew from the program for personal reasons and did not complete the program, one (1) student withdrew from the program for academic reasons and one (1) student withdrew due to disciplinary reasons with both students’ ineligible to return to the program.
2024-2023-2022 Credentialing Exam Pass Rate: 92%
This assessment is calculated by the number of graduates who sat for and passed the credentialing exam on the first or second attempt. The Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) exam administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) is the exam for which graduates prepare. The National Pass Rate for successful completion rate of the CCI RCIS exam for 2024 was seventy-three (73%) percent.
Twenty-two (22) of twenty-four (24) graduates attempted and passed the credentialing exam over the three-year review window on the first attempt, one (1) graduate had to retake exam, one (1) graduate decided not to re-take exam.
2024-2023-2022 Job (Positive) Placement Rate: 100%
This assessment is calculated by the number of graduates with positive placement in the workforce-related field. Twenty-five (25) graduates over the three-year review window have been positively placed within the workforce, continuing education or military fields. One (1) graduate chose not to enter the field.
Notable Employers
Highlights
Taught by Professionals
Instructors boast decades of experience in related fields and/or are working professionals who bring their real-world knowledge to the program.
Hands-on Learning
Students benefit from a fully simulated cardiac catheterization lab where they utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technologies used in hospitals and clinical settings, preparing them for success in the workforce.
Industry Partners
The program remains at the forefront of industry needs through close partnerships with local healthcare systems and clinical affiliates, including BayCare and Lakeland Regional Health.Example Courses
Classes in this program are engaging, flexible and full of real-world application.
