Cardiac Electrophysiology - Sentara School of Health Professions

Cardiac Electrophysiology from Sentara School of Health Professions is a Campus Associate Physiology degree that prepares you for a Science career. As a Cardiac Electrophysiology Technologist you will work in a hospital setting as a member of the Electrophysiology Lab (EP Lab) team and provide highly specialized assistance to an electrophysiologist. An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm problems. Electrophysiology (EP) procedures include studies that diagnose heart rhythm disorders as well as procedures that treat these disorders. More specifically, Electrophsiology (EP) studies produce data that makes it possible to diagnose the source of heart rhythm disorders, evaluate the effectiveness of certain medications in controlling these disorders, predict the risk of a future cardiac event, such as Sudden Cardiac Death and assess the need for an implantable device such as a pacemaker or a therapeutic procedure like radio frequency catheter ablation. As a Cardiac Electrophysiology Technologist ("EP lab tech") you will work with highly sophisticated imaging, monitoring, mapping and recording systems in EP labs, cardiac catheterization labs and operating rooms. They also serve as a first assistant to the physician and are responsible for reviewing and compiling data collected during EP procedures and device implants. EP Techs perform direct patient care both prior to and immediately following electrophysiology procedures. Cardiac Electrophysiology Technologist students at Sentara College of Health Sciences are provided training in the classroom and skills lab located at the College. Students also receive an extensive clinical rotation at area hospitals that specialize in Electrophysiology procedures. Your Exceptional Learning Experience: Your Learning Experience is like no other. With 56 semester credits, 465 lecture, 90 skills lab and 1,084 clinical hours you will be well prepared with the competence and confidence you need to work as an Cardiac Electrophysiology Technologist. First semester - all students begin with foundation courses in medical terminology, patient care concepts, cardiac hemodynamics and anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the cardiac and vascular systems. The semester is three days per week and is 16 weeks. Second, third and fourth semesters ? students begin the first of three semesters of classroom and clinical experiences in the chosen specialty. The last three semesters are 3.5 to 4 days per week, full time. The second semester is 13 weeks in the summer, third semester is 15 weeks in the fall, and the last semester is 16 weeks in the spring. Advanced placement is available to students who qualify. See below for additional details. On-line courses are part of the didactic learning experience. Graduates are awarded an Associate of Occupational Science Degree in Cardiovascular Technology and are eligible to take a registry examination offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Licensure and certification for entry into practice is not required for this health profession, however, many employers require staff to become credentialed after a pre-determined period of employment. The College submits applications for exams for each graduate who then have one year to sit for the exam. This Program is a terminal occupational/technical program and credits generally earned in this Program are not applicable to other degree. View more details on Sentara College of Health Sciences . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Physiology courses.