CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY

Associate of Applied Science

Start Date

September 3, 2024

More Start Dates
Length

24 Months

Schedule
The schedule for this program is based on a 15-week semester. The daily schedule and weekly hours will vary each semester based on the required lecture, lab, and clinical hours. Students must have flexible schedules and be able to attend classes during morning, day, and evening hours.

Daily schedule varies

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program (scholarships, training grants, payment plans, etc.). Please contact our financial aid department to learn more.

YES

Deadline to Apply

June 30, 2024

Start Date

September 3, 2024

More Start Dates
Length

24 Months

Schedule
The schedule for this program is based on a 15-week semester. The daily schedule and weekly hours will vary each semester based on the required lecture, lab, and clinical hours. Students must have flexible schedules and be able to attend classes during morning, day, and evening hours.

Daily schedule varies

Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program (scholarships, training grants, payment plans, etc.). Please contact our financial aid department to learn more.

YES

Deadline to Apply

June 30, 2024

Cardiovascular Technologist Training

Hybrid / Distance Education Program

The Associate of Applied Science in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) is programmatically accredited by CAAHEP for the adult echocardiography concentration. This program prepares students to become entry-level cardiovascular technologists. Graduates will be able to find employment in hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, and other healthcare related facilities. 

Students will learn to perform non-invasive cardiac and vascular examinations utilizing ultrasound equipment. During these examinations students will learn to locate, evaluate, and record critical, functional, pathological, and anatomical data. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be proficient in non-invasive cardiac sonography and peripheral vascular sonography. CVT graduates will demonstrate behaviors consistent with professional standards and will meet employer expectations for an entry-level position.

Hybrid Learning

Our college's Cardiovascular Technology associate degree program is taught using a hybrid learning environment. All hybrid courses will utilize online and in-person instruction. Lectures may be offered on campus or remotely via a Learning Management System (LMS). Most laboratory classes and practical training will be held on campus or at a clinical site.

Online classes will be taught synchronously. Synchronous instruction is real-time instruction that requires students to attend classes at scheduled times.

Clinical Internship

The Cardiovascular Technology program requires students to complete 800 clinical hours prior to receiving their associate degree. Students will be placed at a clinical site by the AIMS Internship Department. The internship courses are designed to provide practical training in a real work environment; students will have a mentor who trains and guides them. The clinical internship courses must be completed within the semesters they are scheduled.

AIMS Education has clinical affiliations with numerous healthcare facilities throughout New Jersey and the surrounding areas. Students will be placed at one or more of these affiliated sites and must complete their clinical hours based on the schedule provided by the school. Internship schedules are based on the availability of clinical sites. All students (Day and Evening) must be prepared to complete their internship courses during normal business hours (Monday through Friday). The majority of clinical sites do not allow students to complete clinical hours in the evening or on the weekend.

Program Goals

The primary goal of this program is to prepare competent entry-level cardiovascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the adult echocardiography concentration and noninvasive vascular study.

Employment Opportunities

The majority of employment opportunities for cardiovascular sonographers exist in hospitals, imaging centers, and physicians’ clinics.

Certification/Registry Exam Eligibility

AIMS students are eligible to take the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination after successfully completing CVT 122 - Ultrasound Physics and Applications II.

CVT graduates will be eligible to take the Registered Cardiac Sonographer examination offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and the Adult Echocardiography specialty examination offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Graduates who pass the Registered Cardiac Sonographer exam will earn the RCS credential from CCI. Graduates who pass the SPI exam and the Adult Echocardiography specialty exam will earn the RDCS credential from ARDMS.

Eligibility requirements for the RCS and RDCS credentials are solely determined by the respective credentialing agencies, and are subject to change at any time. CCI and ARDMS are independent organizations. AIMS does not guarantee registry exam eligibility.

Classroom and Clinical Training Schedule

Students who enroll in a semester-based program must have flexible schedules and be able to attend classes and/or clinical training sessions during morning, day, and evening hours. Certain courses will only be taught in the evening regardless of the program’s standard schedule.

Program Length and Credit Hours

The Cardiovascular Technology associate degree can be completed in 6 semesters, or approximately 24 months. Students will enroll as a cohort and progress through the program at the same pace. Each cohort will complete three semesters per academic year.

  • 24 Months
  • 66 Credit Hours
  • 800 Clinical Hours

Contracting Agreement for General Education Coursework

AIMS Education has entered into a contracting agreement with Geneva College in partnership with Portage Learning (Geneva-Portage). This agreement involves specific arrangements for general education coursework. As part of the Cardiovascular Technology program, students will complete three general education courses (9 credits) through Geneva-Portage. These courses, which must be completed during the first semester, will consist of ENG 101, MAT 104, and PHY 101. Additional information about the courses taken with Geneva-Portage is provided at the link below.

First Semester Courses with Geneva-Portage

Comprehensive Education and Training

  • Medical Terminology
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Adult Echocardiography
  • Vascular Sonography
  • Image internal body structures
  • EKG Testing
  • Holter Monitoring
  • Stress Testing

Minimum Admission Requirements

Prerequisites for Enrollment

Applicants must have at least one of the prerequisites listed below.

  • 30 college credits or more
  • 1 year of healthcare experience related to direct patient care
  • Graduate of the Patient Care Technician program at AIMS Education
  • Graduate of the Medical Assistant program at AIMS Education

Selective Enrollment

The Cardiovascular Technology program has a selective application process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee you will be accepted into the program. From the pool of applicants, those who are considered most qualified for the study and practice of sonography will be admitted.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

AIMS Education has determined that its Cardiovascular Technology curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in New Jersey. If you live outside of New Jersey or you are planning to seek employment in another state, please review our professional licensure disclosures for more information.

* New Jersey currently has no state licensure requirements or laws regulating employment in this field. 

Upcoming Start Dates

Start Dates
Schedule
Program Length
September 3, 2024
Monday - Friday
Class schedule varies per semester
24 months

The daily schedule and weekly hours will vary each semester based on the required lecture, lab, and clinical hours. Additional information regarding the class schedule, internship schedule, and school holidays is available on the academic calendar page. 

Employer Testimonials

Accreditations

The Associate of Applied Science in Cardiovascular Technology is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

AIMS Education is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Graduate Spotlight

Juan Cardona

Juan Cardona

After graduating from CVT certificate program, Juan earned his Registered Cardiac Sonographer credential. Now he works as an echocardiography technologist in California.

Program Gallery

Visit Our Campus

Take the first step in achieving your career goals by visiting the AIMS campus. During your school visit you'll get to meet one-on-one with an admissions specialist. They'll help you choose the right career path and answer any questions you have. You'll also get the chance to tour the AIMS campus, including all of our classrooms, medical labs, and student facilities.