Cardiac Electrophysiology
Associate of Applied Science in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT)
An echocardiogram is one of the most widely used diagnostic tests for heart disease. These tests are performed by Echocardiography Technologists (Echo Techs). An echocardiogram is performed in a one-on-one setting in a hospital or outpatient facility. You'll learn to perform echocardiograms using ultrasound equipment to gather data about the structure and function of the cardiac chambers, valves, and vessels leading to and from the heart.
Program Highlights
- Full-time, daytime program
- August cohort start
- Training in advanced electrophysiology and cardiac mapping technologies
- Clinical experience in leading healthcare facilities
- Preparation for professional certification examinations
About The Program
Cardiac Electrophysiology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders, including conditions that cause the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. As a Cardiac Electrophysiology Technologist, you will work in a hospital-based Electrophysiology (EP) Lab alongside an electrophysiologist — a cardiologist specially trained in heart rhythm management.
In this program, you'll learn to assist with advanced EP procedures used to diagnose arrhythmias and guide treatment decisions. These procedures help determine the source of abnormal rhythms, evaluate medication effectiveness, assess the need for implantable devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators, and support therapeutic interventions like radiofrequency catheter ablation.
You will gain experience working with sophisticated imaging, cardiac mapping, monitoring, and recording systems in EP labs, cardiac catheterization labs, and surgical environments. Graduates are prepared to serve as essential members of the cardiovascular care team, supporting physicians and contributing to high-quality patient outcomes.
Your Educational Experience
The program follows a structured, full-time cohort model beginning each August. Classes are held during daytime hours, Monday through Friday.
Students learn through:
- Classroom instruction
- Skills laboratory practice
- Clinical rotations
- Hybrid and online coursework
Hands-on experience are completed through skills labs, simulation environments, and clinical placements. Students gain practical training in specialized cardiovascular labs using industry-standard equipment.
Clinical education occurs within Sentara facilities and affiliated healthcare settings. Small class and clinical groups maintain an approximate 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
General Education Requirements
All Associate of Applied Science degrees include a general education component.
General Education provides students with a shared academic foundation that supports communication, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and lifelong learning. Coursework includes a structured core experience alongside courses drawn from across the university.
Learn more about the General Education Requirements.
Prerequisites
Students may apply to the Associate of Applied Science program while completing prerequisite coursework. However, all required prerequisites must be successfully completed prior to official admission into the program.
- BIO 221 Anatomy & Physiology I
- ENG 105 The Art of Writing
- MATH 210 Introductory Statistics
- PHIL 321 Ethics in Healthcare
- BIO 222 Anatomy & Physiology II
- PSY 101 or SOC 351 Introduction to Psychology or Medical Sociology
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Cardiovascular Technology program are prepared for employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician practices, imaging centers, surgical suites, and clinical research environments. Opportunities also exist within the biomedical and medical device industries.
Cardiovascular Technologists assist physicians and surgeons with diagnostic and interventional procedures that evaluate and treat heart and vascular conditions. Depending on specialty, professionals may work in cardiac catheterization labs, electrophysiology labs, vascular labs, or cardiac ultrasound settings.
As cardiovascular care continues to expand with advances in technology and an aging population, demand for skilled technologists remains strong nationwide.
Ready to Apply?
Begin your application for the Cardiac Electrophysiology program today.