Norton Healthcare Foundation School of Cardiovascular Technology

Norton Healthcare has established the Norton Healthcare Foundation School of Cardiovascular Technology to meet the need for highly skilled practitioners of cardiovascular technology.

Our 18-month program includes a variety of educational experiences covering both lecture and practical clinical settings. During the course of instruction, students attend lectures in anatomy and physiology, quality control, and infection control. Students practice electrocardiography skills on simulators and are assigned to split-group observation sessions in the various nursing units. Under supervision and observation, students also have the opportunity to perform electrocardiograms (EKGs) on patients.

Cardiovascular technology is a growing and exciting field for health care professionals. It involves a variety of services associated with procedures that diagnose and treat disorders of the heart. The technology and expertise required to perform these procedures is highly specialized.

Individuals who pursue a career in this field can select from one of two distinct disciplines:

Invasive Cardiovascular Technology involves procedures, which are typically performed in cardiac catheterization laboratories. During these procedures, catheters are inserted into a vessel in the body and then guided under fluoroscopic imaging into the heart. Dye is injected and measurements and images of the function of the heart are obtained. Blockages of the artery can often be corrected with additional procedures like angioplasty or stent placement in which the blockage is compressed to correct the disorder. Technologists assist physicians who perform these and other related procedures including electrophysiology, which diagnoses and treats disorders of heart rhythm.

An Echocardiography Technologist performs cardiac ultrasounds, which obtain measurements and images of the heart. This non-invasive test relays images and measurements of the heart to a monitor that allows physicians to more accurately diagnose heart disease. Trained technologists also perform other cardiac tests such as cardiac stress tests, holter monitor exams and EKGs.

For information on admission prerequisites and an application, please contact: Patti Boyle

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