Cardiology Technology

BHSC 1119 is a general survey of basic human structure and function. It may serve as an overview for those wishing some fundamental insights into anatomy and physiology, or as the foundation on which further study can build. The course initially establishes the basics of cells and tissues, and then goes on to survey the body’s major organ systems.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

The goals of this course are to introduce students to basic electricity, simple circuit analysis, electrical safety, operation principles, and basic building blocks of biomedical instrumentation. Some biomedical devices relating to Cardiology Technology practice are discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• Principles of Math 12, Physics 11 (C+ or better)

This course introduces the student to the medical speciality of cardiology. The course begins with a review of the normal cardiac anatomy and physiology, then introduces the various non-invasive and invasive diagnostic studies currently performed. Students are also exposed to a variety of common abnormal cardiovascular conditions, syndromes, and treatment strategies.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​Designed to familiarize the cardiology technology student with Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes commonly used in that discipline. Supported by a text workbook, user guide, CD-ROM and online courseware which promote a highly visual approach to demonstrating the terms. Also provides a built-in audio pronunciation guide.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

The goal of CARD 1285 is to teach practical writing skills and communication strategies for continual professional competence of the Allied Health Professional in the workplace. The course will cover standards for documenting patient care, writing letters and memos, preparing written information, writing policies & procedures, completing reports and preparing oral presentations. Students will also be introduced to scholarly writing, researching and writing about topics related to the field for possible publication in professional journals for profession. This course outlines theoretical and practical applications of professionalism as they relate to communicating effectively and maintaining professional relationships in the allied health workplace.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This ONLINE course is designed for students of allied health training programs (such as Cardiac Sciences), allied health practitioners (such as LPNs) or individuals working under a healthcare professional. Prospective students who don't fit into one of these categories must contact the course instructor for permission to take the course. This course provides basic theory and procedure for performing simple venipuncture by syringe and needle, evacuated system and butterfly needle for the purpose of either blood collection or injection of a substance into the bloodstream. This ONLINE course includes graphics and video clips demonstrating equipment and procedures. Successful students will have the requisite knowledge but will not have sufficient practice and skill to be competent in basic venipuncture from this course alone. See Learning Outcomes for details. Following completion of the course, students who are not part of a program with clinical practicum may apply for recognition of clinical experience if they are already working in an environment where a qualified professional is able to supervise, assess and verify performed venipuncture procedures. Workshop: Students can register for an introductory one day hands-on workshop which is held after the online course ends. The workshop only prepares students for their clinical experience or practicum and not competency in Venipuncture. Due to safety concerns, students must successfully pass the online course in order to be able to attend the workshop. Registered students must abide by the BCIT Student Code of Conduct stated in the online course. For students able to attend the BCIT Campus laboratory workshop, register for the section (CRN) including BOTH the ONLINE course AND Laboratory workshop. For students at a distance, register for the online course only.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

BHSC 2219 is a Human Anatomy and Physiology course designed specifically for allied health professionals in the field of Cardiology. As such, its major focus is structure and function of the heart. Anatomy of the heart and the relation of the heart to thoracic structures are covered. The structure of the heart muscle cell or myocyte is related to its electrical and mechanical properties. A discussion of the electrical events of the cardiac cycle serves to provide the electrophysiological basis of the ECG. Mechanical events of the cycle are related to electrical events and to the pressure and volume changes in the heart chambers. Structure and function of the blood vessels as components of the circulatory system are covered. A unit on circulatory physiology serves to integrate functions of the heart, blood, and vessels. Discussions of the respiratory and urinary systems as they influence, and are influenced by, the circulation are included.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BHSC 1119 and 60% in CARD 1101

Course content introduces the student to the various health and safety measures to be considered when working with patients in a hospital or private laboratory setting. The student will learn how to carry out a variety of basic health care procedures and become familiar with equipment commonly found in the patient care environment.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in CARD 1103

This course introduces students to the use of statistics as a tool for research in the health sciences. Topics covered include experimental design, standard and requirements of ethical research, descriptive statistics (organization and presentation of data), probability (discrete/continuous), estimation (confidence intervals and sample size), hypothesis testing (involving means and proportions), and linear regression (least squares fit and associated confidence/prediction intervals).
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course provides students with the foundational knowledge essential to interpreting cardiac tests and procedures. This course introduces the student to ECG interpretation by discussion of the basis of ECG, principles of 12-lead interpretation, electrical axis, conduction delays, hypertrophy, ischemia, infarction, and miscellaneous effects on ECG. There is also a brief introduction to artificial pacemakers.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BHSC 1119 and 60% in BMET 1107 and 60% in CARD 1101

This course introduces the learner to the methodology of non-invasive cardiology diagnostic testing. The primary focus is on electrocardiography, ambulatory ECG monitoring, exercise stress testing and special procedures. Students will learn the fundamental principles behind the most commonly performed non-invasive diagnostic tests from the perspective of the cardiology technologist.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BHSC 1119 and 60% in BMET 1107 and 60% in CARD 1101 and 60% in CARD 1103

​This course takes place on campus in a lab learning environment and will introduce students to the knowledge, skills, and equipment to be used in the clinical portion of the program. Students will gain introductory skills in the areas of electrocardiograms, Holter monitor hook-ups, analysis, and exercise tolerance testing. They will be given the experience to incorporate knowledge gained from CARD 2202, Cardiology Diagnostic Testing and Methodology. Students will develop skills in patient care techniques, communication, and professional practice. Students will practice in the classroom, and the lab environment. The lab environment will also include activities in our simulated lab where students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their acquired skill set using simulated high fidelity manikins. ECG interpretation skills will be reviewed, and practiced in the classroom setting, and within the lab environment.
Prerequisite(s):

• Term 1 and 2 courses

This course will rotate students through the cardiology department of various hospital professional labs and doctor’s offices to obtain clinical experience in electrocardiograms, ambulatory ECG hookup, and patient care skills.
Prerequisite(s):

• S in CARD 3250

Studies cardiovascular disorders emphasizing the concept of disease as a disturbance of normal structure and function. The course begins with a discussion of functional cardiac anatomy, followed by a detailed examination of cardiac pathologies commonly encountered by the cardiovascular technologist. Systemic diseases and malfunction of organ systems which initiate or are a consequence of cardiac failure will also be discussed, particularly those of the respiratory and renal systems.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BHSC 2219 and 60% in CARD 3252

This course provides an overview of cardiac rehabilitation, emphasizing the concept of cardiac illness as a chronic disease. The goal is to equip students with the foundational knowledge and tools required to go on to a specialty study in the area of cardiac rehabilitation and become an integral member of the cardiac team. Emphasis is on risk factor management and especially moderate exercise as major components in the treatment of cardiac illness. Discussion will include issues related to teaching patients safe and effective cardiac rehabilitation, program standards and case studies. .
Prerequisite(s):

• S in CARD 3252

Students in this course will advance their knowledge in ECG recognition and evaluation, 12-lead electrocardiogram and pacemaker ECG evaluation. A detailed examination of cellular mechanisms, conduction, pathology and the disease processes responsible for irregularities of the heart rate are presented. Special attention is directed to methods of determining axis, rate, rhythm, myocardial damage, and conduction disturbances, as well as understanding pacemaker behavior.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BHSC 2219 and 70% in CARD 2201 and S in CARD 3252

This course gives an overview of the pharmacological agents commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Brief treatment will also be given to non-cardiac medications used in cardiac patients and their potential interactions. Students will learn how the various drugs act, are classified, and employed in stable patients and those undergoing emergency procedures, electrophysiological studies, catheterization, and other diagnostic studies. Drug classes examined include thrombolytic, anticoagulant, antiarrhythmic, antianginal, antihypertensive, diuretic, lipid-lowering, antiglycemic, and contrast agents.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in BHSC 3302^† and S in CARD 3252 (^† may be taken concurrently)

This online course will introduce Cardiac Sciences students to related health disciplines such as Nuclear Medicine, Sonography, Magnetic Resonance, Radiation Therapy, and Medical Laboratory as well as Advanced Cardiac Sciences practice areas. Each of these professions contributes to the patient’s overall diagnosis and treatment planning. The information from these areas will be correlated to fully understand the patient’s medical circumstances. Concepts in preceptoring/mentoring, and professional responsibility will be covered.
Prerequisite(s):

• S in CARD 3252

This course is designed to assist the student to handle common events encountered in health care settings in a responsive and professional manner. Students will learn how to effectively manage stress, diffuse conflict, and negotiate mutually beneficial solutions in interactions with patients and colleagues.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

This course provides the student with information on concepts of ambulatory ECG that is essential to the practicing cardiology technologist. Ambulatory ECG topics covered include: principles of operation of scanners/recorders, indications/diary/findings, conduction disturbances, ischemia drugs and miscellaneous, implantable devices and reporting. Students will be evaluated on application of knowledge through case studies.
Prerequisite(s):

• S in CARD 3252 and 60% in CARD 3330

This course provides the student with information on concepts of exercise tolerance testing and exercise prescription that are essential to the practicing cardiology technologist. Exercise testing and exercise prescription topics covered include: general principles; importance of general factors such as age, gender, and environment; and various diseases and heath states. Theoretical basis and clinical application of exercise tolerance testing and exercise prescription to special cases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, spinal disorders and low back pain, diabetes, obesity, asthma, chronic obstructive respiratory disorders, cystic fibrosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, children with heart disease, valvular and congenital heart diseases in adults, low functional capacity, end-stage renal disease, and pregnancy are discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• S in CARD 3252 and 60% in CARD 3330

​This foundational course will introduce student to cardiac rhythm management device (CRMD) therapy. While this course will teach skills to interpret paced rhythms, it is expected that students already have a good understanding of electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac anatomy and physiology as well as pathophysiology, and a relatively good understanding of various cardiac arrhythmias, such as heart block, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. General knowledge of pharmacology would also be an asset. This course will touch on the basic concepts of electricity as it relates CRMDs, system components and the principles behind pacing therapy. The course will discuss the indications for receiving a device, describe the implant procedure and the allied health professional's role in lead testing at implant. Time will be spent on learning basic timing cycles for purposes of interpretation and troubleshooting. CRMD follow-up both in-clinic and remotely will be discussed as well.​ Students not enrolled in Card Tech diploma program are permitted to register for this course without pre-req's.
Prerequisite(s):

• S in CARD 3252 and 60% in CARD 3330 and 60% in CARD 3360^† (^† may be taken concurrently)

This course is the first of three theoretical courses intended to introduce you to the field of Cardiac Electrophysiology. While this course is intended to stand alone as much as possible, it is expected that you should already have a good understanding of both electrocardiography (ECG), the components of a surface ECG (P, QRS, T), cardiac anatomy and physiology as well as pathophysiology and a relatively good understanding of various cardiac arrhythmias, such as heart block, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia. A cursory knowledge of cardiac pharmacology would also be an asset. This course will focus on the basics of the cardiac electrophysiology study. It is intended to give you the basic knowledge of what goes on in the EP lab. It is also intended to stimulate your appetite for a greater understanding of electrophysiology to prepare you for subsequent courses in EP. This course is designed to acquaint you with a basic understanding of the techniques used and electrograms obtained during an electrophysiology study. It includes the anatomy and physiology of the conduction system, 12 Lead ECG interpretation as it pertains to electrophysiology, electrophysiology of cardiac muscle, cardiac pharmacology, electrophysiology technology and the signals seen at a baseline EP study in sinus rhythm. We will also introduce you to the equipment we use in EP, the uniqueness of the conduction system, the intracardiac signals we see, the basic function of cardiac tissue and the affects that various medications have on cardiac tissue.
Prerequisite(s):

• S in CARD 3252 and 60% in CARD 3330 and 60% in CARD 3360

This course will rotate students through the cardiology department of various hospital professional labs and doctor’s offices to obtain clinical experience in electrocardiogram review, ambulatory ECG analysis, exercise tolerance testing, and continued patient care skills.
Prerequisite(s):

• 60% in CARD 4201 and 60% in CARD 4202 and 60% in CARD 4203 and 60% in CARD 5301