Student experiences

The curriculum for the Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Program requires full-time attendance.

Areas of study include:

• Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology and cardiovascular pathophysiology, which concentrate on the structures, functions, and disease processes of the heart
• Angiography and interventional cardiology, which concentrate on the coronary anatomy and treatment(s) for diseases of the heart
• Electrophysiology and cardiac pacing, which concentrate on the cardiac electrical system and its diagnosis and treatment
• Advanced cardiac assessments (such as hemodynamics, coronary physiology, cardiac valve study, and congenital heart disease), which concentrate on in-depth cardiovascular anatomical and physiological data
• Instrumentation, electronics, and X-ray basics, which concentrate on the radiation and electrical processing and safety in the clinical cardiovascular laboratory setting

Classroom learning

The first 12 months of the program are spent in the classroom and simulation center learning in-depth cardiac physiology and pathophysiology.

The next four and a half months are spent half in the classroom and half doing a clinical rotation in our St. Mary's cath and electrophysiology departments.

The last four and a half months is the final internship rotation done at an off-site, Mayo-approved location. This is a time for you to put your new skills into action. Students are responsible for room and board during their internship.

Hours

For the majority of the classroom instruction and clinical rotations, your learning schedule includes eight-hour days five days a week.

Outside work

You may hold outside employment during the program if it does not conflict with class or study time. However, during the second year of the program, it is suggested to minimize outside work due to the time commitment and in-depth nature of the program. In addition, you cannot hold outside work as a cardiovascular technologist while training.

Grading and evaluation 

Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences uses these evaluative tools: examinations, hands-on simulation to demonstrate mastery of skills, self-assessment exercises, and faculty reviews.

Our system of evaluation provides students and faculty with a comprehensive look at individual performance. This allows faculty and administrative staff to direct students who are experiencing academic difficulty to the appropriate support resources, including tutoring programs and counseling opportunities.

Graduation and certification

Upon graduating from the Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist Program, you receive a certificate of completion from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

Graduates are eligible to take professional certification examinations given by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). All graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) national board examination.