Student Experience
What to Expect
The Cardiovascular Technology program at Algonquin College provides you with hands-on experience and close instructional learning with our experienced faculty in a small class size. The program develops your analytical thinking by first walking you through the theory, then applying your learning in the labs, and finally culminating your knowledge in clinical placement. Clinical experiences will take place off campus at hospitals and clinics in Ontario. Experiences out-of-province may also be considered. Students work within an inter-professional healthcare team to deliver safe patient assessment, diagnostic skills consistent with best practice standards for cardiovascular technology.
The program is delivered over 5 consecutive semesters.
| Level 1 -2 | In Level 1, students will take theory courses that will provide a strong foundation for the lab courses that will take place in Level 2. |
| Level 3 | Learners will enhance their knowledge in Clinical Practicum 1 for 300 hours. |
| Level 4 | Learners return to on-campus courses and lab to complete all remaining theory and lab competencies. |
| Level 5 | Learners will culminate their knowledge in Clinical Practicum 2 for 300 hours. |
Success Stories and Testimonials
“I chose th
is program because I am deeply interested in the cardiovascular system, and wanted to learn more about it. I wanted a career where I can make a difference in patient lives and support them on their health journey.
What has impressed me were the tools used to help diagnose patients, such as the electrocardiograph and stress tests, and the process about learning how these devices work to reveal information about a patients heart.
One of the highlights of my time here at Algonquin College was at AC Day 1. I met a lot of friendly people. I also enjoy the events being held such as the spooky paws on Halloween.
The hands-on learning I’ve enjoyed so far are my labs. I’ve learned more about the basic healthcare system such as PPE (personal protective equipment), taking blood pressure, using a oximeter, and overall how to read a ECG. In this program you are always constantly learning something new. You would be learning a lot of skills such as attention to detail, communication, and collaboration and much more. After graduation I hope to find a job as a cardiovascular technologist in a clinic or hospital.
If I could describe my experience at Algonquin College in one word it would be: Inclusive“
-Fatima, Student, Cardiovascular Technology
“The reason I chos
e the Cardiovascular Technology program is mainly because of my passion for healthcare science and keen interest in medical instrumentations. It will also allow me to meet different people everyday and help them with making them feel comfortable and cared for.
The parts of the program that have impressed me the most are the ECG’s and automaticity of the heart. The smallest and single paper with minimal text information can tell a lot about the cardiovascular health of an individual, and the small details makes all the difference. I am very impressed how much we can find out in a mere 10 seconds about a person’s heart, and also heart makes me wonder how precise our body is.
The best day I have had up until now in the program is the first day I went into the Cardiovascular Lab. I haven’t been to clinical placement yet but I am looking forward to this. This is a fantastic program with a bit of an overwhelming syllabus, but it all makes sense when we put it out there in lab. It is very rewarding in a way as we can literally save people’s lives. It’s been amazing being at Algonquin College and being part of of the CVT program.
After I graduate, I am hoping to work for a institution as a CVT Tech. Not only that but I also want to be part of a community that helps patients who do not have direct means of accessing healthcare. Helping at least one person a day would be my goal.
If I could describe my experience at Algonquin College in one word it would be: Welcoming“
-Gnanal, Student, Cardiovascular Technology
“I chose this program beca
use I have always been drawn to healthcare. Cardiovascular Technology is such an impactful area of study, combining hands-on skills with deep knowledge of heart health and patient care. This program not only aligns with my passion for health sciences but also equips me with the expertise to meaningfully contribute toward patient well-being and to the healthcare community.
Also, knowing that Canada has some of the leading cardiovascular centers in North America, I am actually feeling excited about entering this field. Working in such a reputable department, offering my helping hand to improve heart health, would be really inspirational beyond measure.
The part of the program that has impressed me the most is the level of support and expertise from the faculty. The instructors are not only knowledgeable but also truly committed to our success, offering guidance every step of the way. I truly appreciate the CVT department for their unwavering support and dedication to our success. The hands-on training has also stood out to me; being able to apply what we learn in real-world scenarios has been invaluable. This blend of practical skills and supportive learning has made the experience both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Additionally, I’m particularly impressed with how neat, orderly, and well-organized the Cardiovascular Technology department is. Everything from the classroom environment to the clinical placements is structured in a way that enhances our learning experience and prepares us for the professional world. The attention to detail in organizing our training has made it easy to stay focused and motivated, contributing to an overall positive and efficient learning experience. The hands-on and experiential learning activities in my program have been amazing. We have a lab that simulates real-life hospital and clinical environments, which has been invaluable in preparing us for future work in the field.
I would say to anyone who will be entering this program, be prepared for a challenge that is both grueling and very rewarding. It is an extremely rigorous program; however, hands-on experiences, supportive faculty, and the application to real life make it well worth it. However, caring for people means that a patient’s life is in your hands, so it is not something to be taken lightly. You will have to be prepared for hard work, studying hard, and learning as much as possible. If you think you have the dedication and determination to make it through, then this is the route for you. My advice would be to keep organized, ask questions when you need to, and do not let one teaching/learning opportunity pass by-wither in the classroom or on clinical placement. The program sets one up for success in the health career, although it is considered hard work; hence, this would be a great choice if one is passionate about making a difference in patients’ lives.
After graduation, I hope to pass the registration exam and work as a Cardiovascular Technologist in a clinical setting, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes and contribute to advancements in heart health diagnostics and treatment. Honestly, I have the ambition to one day own a clinic with other RCVTs and Cardiovascular Specialists, providing specialized services. I have big dreams and ideas, and I am confident that I will implement them in the future.
If I could describe my experience at Algonquin College in one word it would be: Transformative“
-Asal, Student, Cardiovascular Technology
Work Integrated Learning
Clinical placements occur in Level 3 and Level 5 of the program. Students will rotate through areas such as electrocardiography (ECG), Holter monitoring and Stress Testing to develop their clinical skills. Clinical placements will provide learners the opportunity to work directly with experienced healthcare providers and apply analytical thinking skills. Clinical sites such as hospitals and clinics are located across Ontario. Availability to other provinces can be explored.
