Diploma in Cardiovascular Technology (HCP/ICHS)
Ottawa, Canada
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 13,358
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Using hands-on learning, explore a career that supports cardiac care.
The two-year Cardiovascular Technology Ontario College Diploma program provides you with the essential knowledge and technical skills required to perform electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, and ambulatory monitoring in the role of a cardiovascular technologist. Professionals in this field work closely with patients to diagnose cardiac conditions.
Emphasizing a hands-on approach through in-class laboratory simulation and clinical practice, this program is aligned with the competencies outlined by the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP). Areas of focus include performing various non-invasive cardiac testing such as:
- Electrocardiography
- Stress testing
- Ambulatory monitoring
- Pacemaker follow-up
You develop critical thinking by integrating knowledge of cardiac anatomy, pharmacology, and various pathophysiologies to provide accurate diagnostic information to healthcare team members.
Graduates of this program are eligible to write the CSCT national certification exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, graduates become a Registered Cardiology Technologist (RCT). This provides employment opportunities across Canada in:
- Hospitals
- Private cardiac clinics
- Physician offices
- Cardiac rehabilitation centers
- Pacemaker clinics
- Ambulatory monitoring health services
- Medical sales or research
Graduates may pursue post-graduate studies in such areas as diagnostic cardiac sonography, pacemaker technology, or cardiac electrophysiology technology.
Ideal Students
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Can work effectively under stressful situations
- Are compassionate and caring
- Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Enjoy physical and hands-on work
- Find value in problem-solving and critical thinking
- Are attentive to detail
- Enjoy working as a member of a team.
Admissions
Curriculum
Level 01
- ENL1813S Communications
- IHLT0311 Introduction to Research Methods
- HLT0312 Anatomy and Physiology
- HLT0313 Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology
- HLT0314 Introduction to Cardiovascular Technology and Equipment Maintenance
- HLT0315 Electrocardiography
Level 02
- HLT0320 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
- HLT0321 12-Lead ECG Interpretation
- HLT0322 Ambulatory Monitoring 1
- HLT0323 Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- HLT0324 Stress Testing
- HLT0340 Basic Venipuncture
Level 03
- ENV0002 Environmental Citizenship
- GEN1001 Ethics: What Is the Big Deal?
- HLT0325 Clinical Practicum 1
Level 04
- HLT0330 Cardiac Devices
- HLT0331 Cardiac Diagnostic and Interventional Procedures
- HLT0332 Ambulatory Monitoring 2
- HLT0333 Pediatric Cardiology
- HLT0334 Advanced Electrocardiography
- HLT0335 Electrophysiology
Level 05
- HLT0341 Cardiac Rehabilitation
- HLT0345 Clinical Practicum 2
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Perform cardiac procedures by integrating knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology
- Perform all clinical duties by legal and ethical requirements, as well as institutional directives
- Provide patient-centered care to ensure quality healthcare service
- Perform appropriate and relevant test procedures as required by the patient`s cardiac status
- Assist physicians during emergency life support by utilizing proper patient care techniques and identifying cardiovascular agents
- Operate cardiac-related medical equipment and perform basic maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure quality diagnostic testing
- Perform, analyze, and document results of electrocardiograms, exercise tolerance tests, and ambulatory monitoring
- Assess implantable cardiac devices through programming and device interrogation
- Observe routine practices, and standard precautions and follow sterile field and operating room protocols
- Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development to enhance competence in Cardiovascular Technology
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment as cardiology technologists, cardiovascular technologists, ECG technicians, pacemaker/cardiac device technologists, electrophysiology technologists, or clinical applications specialists.
Upon successful completion of the program, a student must write the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) certification exam to become credentialed.
With this credential, students may also consider international opportunities. For example, students may write the Cardiac Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) certification exam to open up employment opportunities in the United States of America.
English Language Requirements
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