Advanced Certification in Cardiovascular Interventional or Vascular Interventional Radiography

Interventional Radiography is an advanced certification leading to employment in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab or the Interventional Lab/Special Procedures Lab in Radiology. The program has twenty-five credits taken over two semesters. This area is at the top of the growth list for jobs in Radiology! Each week will contain three days of clinical rotations. Academic classes will be taught via zoom and or video recordings two days per week. This certificate is designed for the credentialed radiologic technologist to gain experience, skills, and academic knowledge to pass the A.R.R.T. national board examination in Cardiovascular Interventional (CI) or Vascular Interventional (VI).

Cardiovascular Interventional technologists work in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. The lab is composed of a cardiologist, a team of nurses, and cardiovascular technologists. Together this team will do a wide variety of procedures focusing on the heart such as right heart catheterizations, left heart catheterizations, stents into the coronary arteries, ablations, Watchman procedures, etc.

The Vascular Interventional technologists work in the Special Procedures/Interventional lab in radiology. The team is composed of an interventional radiologist, interventional technologists, and a radiology nurse. This area will do a wide variety of procedures focusing on the vascular anatomy leading to the brain, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities. Obstructions, narrowing’s, stenting of all types, clot dissolves, and embolizations are completed. This team is highly specialized and works closely together.

These teams maintain an “on-call” schedule to meet the growing demand of heart events and traumatic events occurring at all hours of the day and night. These technologists must be focused on details and extremely flexible to demanding schedules. They must maintain current CPR skills, and knowledge of EKG and pharmacology to assist the team as needed during the procedures. These technologists are in great demand and the future growth outlook is strong as more catheterization labs and interventional suites are being installed in hospital settings.