Cardiology Technologist

This course will provide you with a comprehensive orientation to Stenberg College and the program you have enrolled in. As with all new things, there will be some challenges and excitement; in this course, you will explore transitioning as a college student, review learning styles, enhance critical thinking, and familiarize yourself with the resources available for your use. This course covers student success skills where you’ll learn effective study habits (specifically to improve both reading and writing skills) based on your own personal learning style. Life skills exercises are also integral to the course, teaching communication, accountability, teamwork, self-awareness and building an understanding of the impact you have on others.

This intensive, fast paced course is an introduction to the world of medical terminology and is designed to provide the foundation for all subsequent courses. You’ll become familiar with various medical word parts, become fluent in the pronunciation and spelling of these parts, and become proficient with the building and breaking down of medical terms to determine meaning. It’s essential for all healthcare professionals to be able to function effectively and safely in a medical environment; therefore, you must be competent and accurate in the use of medical terminology on the job.

This course will cover body systems and sense organs. Teaching about each system will include: an overview of that system’s general function; system parts, their specific function and location; relationship with other systems; and common pathologies explaining the causes for those pathologies.

This course is designed to help you understand the essential mechanical, electrical, and dynamic components of the human heart. This course studies the heart’s anatomy, structural relationships, and embryological development.

Cardiac Pathophysiology provides information on common cardiac conditions and pathologies.This course is built upon and integrated with the Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology course. Each type of cardiac disease or pathology is discussed in relation to anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, causes, significance, consequences, clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnostics, and treatment as appropriate. Specific cardiac diseases and pathologies within a broad category are also discussed. The clinical presentation of a cardiac disease or pathology is discussed in relation to the cardiology technologist’s clinical practice.

Cardiac Pharmacology provides information on commonly used cardiac medications. This course is built upon and integrated with the Cardiac Pathophysiology course. The cardiac medications are categorized according to accepted drug classifications. Each drug class is discussed as to action, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, usage, dose, and clinical application as appropriate. Specific cardiac drugs within classes are discussed as well. The clinical application of a drug class or specific drug is discussed in relation to the patient’s cardiac pathology and the cardiology technologist’s clinical practice.

In this course, you will gain an understanding of how biomedical instruments like electrocardiograms, Holter monitors, blood pressure monitors, event monitors (trans-telephonic recordings), phonocardiograms, pacemakers / pacemaker programmers and external cardiac defibrillators function. Principles used to perform 12-lead electrocardiograms, as well as specialized leads such as 15 lead ECG, 18 lead ECG, Lewis lead, Frank leads and Brugada leads will be introduced. You will be able to describe how the heart’s electrical impulses are converted into mechanical functions that can be printed by the electrocardiograph.

This is an integrated course in instrumentation, professionalism, and the study of the electrocardiography theory and principles used to perform basic 12-lead electrocardiograms, as well as specialized leads such as an 18-lead ECG, Lewis lead, and Fontaine lead. You will receive instruction in ECG interpretation, identifying cardiac rate, axis, blocks, hypertrophies, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias (especially life-threatening arrhythmias). Students will also learn how to apply aseptic techniques in this course. The pacemaker segment of the course includes in-depth instruction on pacemaker function, pacemaker ECG interpretation, pacemaker lead implant analysis and operation of recommended procedures.

Students learn to network effectively, to search and apply for jobs and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. Students are also provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on their resume, cover letter, and interview skills.

This course introduces you to concepts in electrophysiology (EP) studies and the electrophysiology (EP) lab. You will gain knowledge in identifying the arrhythmogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias, indications for testing, the functions of EP lab equipment, and understand basic interpretation of EGM recordings, measurement of intervals, and cycle lengths.

Using specific examples that pertain to the Cardiology Technologist, this course discusses professional behaviour and describes the healthcare team and the duties of the team members. The departments and personnel in the lab are discussed, and the tests and abbreviations within these departments are taught in addition to basic phlebotomy skills. This course also covers establishing peripheral intravenous lines including selecting and initiating a PIV (peripheral intravenous) site and establishing the line by preparing, priming and hanging the IV bag with tubing.

In this course, you will gain knowledge of the standards and guidelines for exercise testing using different protocols. This course introduces the fundamental concepts of exercise tolerance testing and ambulatory ECG topics essential to the cardiology technologist. The course covers important topics and general principles related to both types of procedures including; importance of general factors such as age, gender, and environment; and various diseases and health states.

You will gain knowledge of the standards and guidelines for exercise testing using different protocols including Bruce, and Modified Bruce & Naughton. This will also incorporate Nuclear Stress Testing, Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI), and Pharmaceutical Stress Testing using the drugs Persantine and Dobutamine. You’ll be trained in the professional standards and communication skills required to retrieve medical history from patients and to give them proper instructions and information. This lab block also includes the lab component for basic phlebotomy and the IV workshop, as well as an introduction to Holter and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

This course will provide you with knowledge of the principles and analysis of Holter recordings. You will be instructed on how to identify, select, document and apply various different protocols of the scanning software. The identification of arrhythmias and diary/symptom to rhythm correlation is the key component in Holter Scanning. You will gain confidence in your skills and abilities with analyzing Holter monitor recordings and creating a final diagnostic report.

In this course, you will gain an understanding in the concepts of device therapy including guidelines for pacemaker, ICD, CRT and ILR implantations, review of pacemaker theory, programmability modes, threshold testing, wound care, magnet application, techniques for lead extraction and knowledge of temporary pacing methods, including transthoracic and transvenous pacing. In addition, we will explore the role of remote monitoring capabilities and critical analysis of various case studies. We will review concepts related to tachy/bradyarrhythmias and how programming of devices can terminate these rhythms.

This course will provide you with the knowledge of the standards and guidelines for diagnostic imaging, tilt table testing, invasive cardiac procedures and treatments and how cardiac patients are rehabilitated upon returning to the community. You will also be introduced to specialized topics of basic radiation physics, radiation biology and protection, and the importance of interprofessional collaboration.

This course provides a basis for understanding how the delivery of patient care can be improved through the appropriate application of information management systems. You will learn the concepts of enterprise-wide solutions and develop an appreciation of emerging issues, your role and responsibilities in using information management systems appropriately both at enterprise-wide and user levels. Focus will be placed on increasing awareness in your role within the larger schema of health informatics and understanding cause and effect factors when working in a computerized environment. You will build requisite knowledge and competence to use information effectively in the patient’s interest in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team. You will also build requisite knowledge in understanding the therapeutic relationship between the patient and health care provider.

These experiences provide opportunity for students to begin to practice their ECG and Stress Testing skills in a hospital / clinical environment. Students will participate in 3 individual Integrated Practicum Experiences (IPE) – 48 hours (over 6 days).

During your Clinical Preceptorship (also referred to as a Consolidated Practice Experience), you’ll be assigned to a hospital or specialty lab where you’ll be supervised one-on-one by an experienced registered Cardiology Technologist preceptor. This will give you a great opportunity to implement your skills and theoretical knowledge in a professional setting.

This course will include a review of key theoretical and practical knowledge. You will also receive information on test taking skills to help you as you prepare for the CSCT examination. You will be asked to evaluate your overall educational experience (clinical and didactic) so the program may be improved in relation to your feedback. You will also celebrate and debrief on your clinical preceptorships, sharing what you learned over the course of this experience.

Online WHMIS provides information about materials in the workplace that can be hazardous, such as cleaning agents, compressed gases and flammable materials. Becoming WHMIS certified will demonstrate that you are able to identify hazardous materials and handle them properly.

The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate is a self-directed, online certificate that enhances your soft skills. The six PPD modules cover Professionalism, Quality Service, Feedback, Diverse Teams, Conflict Resolution and Leadership. Together, these modules prepare you to effectively approach and resolve real life situations.

The Provincial Violence Prevention Training Curriculum will teach you to recognize and respond to violent situations and learn about different types of violence and strategies for dealing with the risks in a variety of health care contexts. The Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum has been developed by a team of experts from Worksafe BC, the Occupational Health & Safety Agency for health care in BC, as well as BC health authorities and healthcare unions. This training and certification is offered in collaboration with Fraser Health Authority.

You will learn proper body movement to prevent and correct poor posture, reduce stress on ligaments, joints and tendons and enhance physical capabilities. Proper body mechanics and back safety will enhance the longevity and success in the workplace and will help ensure that lifts, transfers, and repositioning are done in a manner that is safe and appropriate for everyone.

Please note: While this training follows best practices and protocols, graduates may by required to take additional workplace specific training.

This workshop introduces you to personal protective equipment, teaches proper hand washing techniques and prepares you to work in a sanitary environment. This workshop is delivered both self-directed online and instructor led in lab. There are approximately two hours of materials for you to go through prior to the lab component. These materials include readings and videos which you will work through on your own at home. During lab, an instructor will take you through the hands-on practice component.

This theory course will cover the correct use and care of respirators, respirator limitations, donning and doffing procedures, and proper disposal of respirators in accordance with WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation Section 8.7.3.