A selection of seats will be reserved for those living outside of the Lower Mainland who wish to complete the practicum in their home health region , from areas including but not limited to:
Greater Victoria
North Vancouver Island (Nanaimo, Alberni, Campbell River, Comox, Cowichan)
Kamloops
Okanagan (Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton)
Northern BC (Prince George, Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Vanderhoof)
Kootenays (Castlegar, Trail, Nelson and Grand Forks)
Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton)
Overview
Technology is already critically important in the healthcare field, and its value will continue to increase in the future. You can be at the forefront of this rapidly evolving area of healthcare delivery by becoming a Cardiology Technologist.
As a graduate of the Stenberg College Cardiology Technologist Diploma Program, you’ll be prepared to enter hospital and clinical settings with the skills necessary to conduct a wide variety of diagnostic procedures including ECG, Stress Tests, Holter Monitoring, and Event Monitoring.
You’ll begin your career with total confidence, having spent significant amounts of time with hands-on exercises and in clinical settings under professional supervision during your program.
If you’re interested in a career that combines cardiology and technology, keep reading to learn more about becoming a Cardiology Technologist...
Typical Job Duties
Some typical job duties of a Cardiology Technologist include:
Performing a standard 12-lead ECG
Performing a special lead ECG, such as 18-lead, Lewis lead, Fontaine leads, and signal averaging
Interpreting ECG tracings
Preparing patients for graded Exercise Tolerance Testing
Performing graded Exercise Tolerance Tests
Interpreting and recognizing arrhythmias (especially life-threatening arrhythmias)
Hooking up Holter ambulatory monitors
Scanning Holter monitor recordings and generating reports for physicians
Hooking up 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitors
Generating reports from the ambulatory blood pressure monitors for physicians
Preparing and instructing patients in the use of cardiac event monitors
Generating reports from event monitors for physicians
Measuring pacemaker lead threshold during pacemaker lead implants
Performing phlebotomy
Potential Employers
As a Cardiology Technologist, you’ll find opportunities for employment in a:
Hospital
Private clinic
Private laboratory
Cardiac diagnostic equipment company (in sales or technical support)
Pharmaceutical company
Program Goals
The Stenberg College Cardiology Technologist Program provides students with all the skills necessary for employment as a Cardiology Technologist in Canada and prepares students to write the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) National Examination.
The overall program goals are to prepare graduates who:
Demonstrate the knowledge base, skills and attitudes consistent with industry expectations for an entry level Cardiology Technologist as outlined in the CSCT National Occupational Competency Profile (NOCP2007);
Excel in the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists (CSCT) National Certification Exam
Gain employment in the field within 6 months (or less) of graduation.
Clinical Placement Information
Clinical placements are a required component of the program. This is an exciting time for students as they come to realize how the program has prepared them with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed within the workplace.
Stenberg College has established clinical site partnerships throughout British Columbia and Alberta. There are a number of local practicum placements, within the lower mainland, as well as placements which will require travel (BC Interior; Vancouver Island; Calgary, Alberta).
Qualified applicants are informed where they will be placed prior to their decision to register; a merit-based ranking of candidates, through committee, determines whether a program seat is offered with a local or non-local placement. Applicant suitability for the program/field is determined through the quality of the admissions application (see Program Admission Requirements) along with a candidate’s personal and professional qualifications as explored through the interview process.
Wages and Career Outlook
Wage and career outlook information is difficult to predict. Unlike other occupations, opportunities in healthcare are driven by current government policy rather than the business cycle. Based on employment statistics gathered by Stenberg College, the wage range of Cardiology Technologists is from $25.23 - $31.44 per hour depending on experience and location.
The following list shows some other sources for career research. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it is a place to start:
like a fast-paced work environment with a variety of daily tasks
would like to work side-by-side with specialists such as cardiologists and interns in diagnosing cardiac diseases
want to contribute to the wellness of others
can see yourself working in hospitals or diagnostic clinics with various healthcare professionals
are technically inclined and comfortable with technology/machinery
Program Admission Requirements
Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent
Grade 12 Biology (minimum grade C+)
Grade 12 English (minimum grade C+)
Students completing the English requirement at a high school in a country other than Canada and who have English as a second language, must complete an acceptable English Assessment –IELTS,TOEFL,CELBAN or an ICES Evaluation
Grade 11 Math or Grade 12 Applied Math (minimum grade C+)
Grade 11 Science – Chemistry or Physics (minimum grade C+)
Passing Stenberg College Entrance Examination
Successful completion of a short written essay
Passing Verbal Test of English if English is a Second Language
Passing formal entrance interview with a score of 70% or more
Final selection interview (panel)
Students must provide the following to their Program Advisor prior to program start:
Acceptable criminal record check
Acceptable medical examination report
Negative TB test report or clear chest X-ray
Immunizations as required by industry at time of application
NB:
Negative TB test report or clear chest X-ray will also need to be provided to College 6 months prior to date of clinical preceptorship start.
Duration and Financing
Duration: 60 weeks including a practicum
Financing: You could be eligible for ELMS funding, government student loans and other financing options; the Stenberg College Financial Aid Officer would be happy to provide further assistance.
