Frequently Asked Questions


Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first step to apply?

First, you must be enrolled at ACC. Please see this page for information about how to get started.

What is the ACC Cardiovascular Interventional Technology Program?

The ACC Cardiovascular Interventional Technology (CI) program is a 2-semester advanced technical certificate program. The CI program is designed to prepare the student to take the national post-secondary certification examination in Cardiac Interventional Radiography administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The didactic courses are offered as online instruction.

The length of the program offers students an adequate amount of time to obtain the required number of clinical exams set forth by the ARRT.

Who can apply to the CI program?

The CI program is offered to imaging professionals with a primary current certification in Radiography from the ARRT or those who are registry eligible.

Please note that the ARRT requires the candidate must hold primary pathway registration with the ARRT in an appropriate discipline and document completion of specific clinical experience requirements. You may review the requirements on the ARRT website.

How many students are accepted into the CI program?

The number of students that we accept is based on the number of clinical training facilities that we have available. Typically, we accept 6 – 8 students for the 2-semester program that starts in the Fall semester.

Is the CI program offered every year?

The Program is offered on an as-needed basis. It is dependent on CI staffing and having 70% student enrollment to make the program. If there are not sufficient applications, the Program will not be offered. The Program only starts in the Fall semester.

What is the difference between a declared and undeclared student?

A declared student is a registered or registry-eligible radiologic technologist who is seeking ARRT post-primary certification for Cardiac Interventional Radiography. The declared student is not currently employed in this specialty and needs both the didactic and clinical education components arranged by ACC to complete their ARRT post-primary application. The declared student will be enrolled in both the didactic and clinical components of the program. The Advanced Technical Certificate is only awarded if both the didactic and clinical courses outlined in the degree plan are successfully completed. A change in enrollment status at any point during the program will nullify the earning of the Advanced Technical Certificate in the discipline. Declared students will be eligible to enroll in the four didactic courses and two clinical courses.

An undeclared student is not eligible to earn the Advanced Technical Certificate. An undeclared student is a registered or registry-eligible radiologic technologist who is pursuing ARRT post-primary credentials in Cardiac Interventional Radiography, is currently employed in the Cardiac Cath Lab, and would like ACC to provide them with the didactic, structured education requirements only to apply and prepare them for the ARRT-CI Exam. The undeclared student has made arrangements outside of ACC to meet the clinical requirements of the ARRT-CI application. The undeclared student will only enroll in the didactic courses. The ATC is only awarded to those who successfully complete both the didactic and clinical courses outlined in the Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology Degree Plan through ACC. It is the sole responsibility of the undeclared student to ensure they meet all of the ARRT-CI requirements to apply for the ARRT- Cardiac Interventional Radiography registry exam.

As an undeclared student, do I have 2 years to complete all the procedures needed by the ARRT?

Yes, the ARRT policies and guidelines apply to both declared and undeclared applicants. ​Both students will have 24 months to complete the ARRT competency requirements.

From ARRT.org: Candidates for ARRT post-primary certification and registration must — within the 24 months before submitting their applications — complete and document specific procedures as outlined in the clinical experience requirements (see Appendix B). 

Please visit www.arrt.org for more information about the CI post primary pathway option.

Is there a tardy or absence policy for the CI program?

Declared students in the Cardiovascular Interventional Program are required to attend 24 hours of clinical internship per week during the first semester, and 24 hours per week during the second semester. Due to the nature of the subject matter and the fact that you will be dispensing ionizing radiation to patients in clinic, assisting physicians with cases, and learning hemodynamic monitoring, it is essential that you attend class consistently. In addition, professional behavior predicates arriving on time and ready to participate in learning activities in the clinical environment. You will be required to record your attendance for each clinic day. Three clinical absences are allowed each semester.

The fourth absence or attendance infraction will result in a letter grade drop in the course and a written conference with the faculty member. The fifth absence will result in probation and conference with the faculty. Additional absences will result in withdrawal from the course (excerpted from the CVTT Student Handbook).

How do I apply to the CI program?

Information can be found on the Application Process page.

I do not have a medical imaging background. Can I apply to the CI program?

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply to the ACC CI program. You must be an imaging professional that holds a current primary license in Radiography from the ARRT or are registry eligible.

I am a Limited Radiologic Technologist (LMRT) and hold a current state license. Can I apply to the CI program?

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply to the ACC CI program. The state license allows you to be employed in that state to perform limited radiography. The state license and ARRT certification are two separate entities.

Please note that the ARRT does administer a Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography Examination. The ARRT administers the examination to state approved candidates under contractual arrangement with the state and provides the results directly to the state. This examination is not associated with any type of certification by the ARRT.

You must be an imaging professional that holds a current primary certification in Radiography from the ARRT or be registry eligible. The CI program is designed to prepare the student to take the post primary CI certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

I am a new radiology graduate. Can I apply to the CI program?

Yes, you can apply to the ACC CI program. You must pass the ARRT Radiography Certification Exam prior to the withdrawal date of the fall semester. If you do not pass your ARRT examination in radiology prior to this date, you will be withdrawn from all enrolled CI courses and ineligible to continue in the CI program.

I am a new imaging graduate. Is patient care experience in imaging required?

Patient care experience is preferred, but not required. You will find that patient care experience is extremely helpful in the CI environment. Patient care experience used to rank applicants is defined as full-time employment in any radiographic discipline. Clinical patient care experience as a student will not be accepted in the applicant ranking process. Applicants with zero to less than six months will receive zero patient care experience points in the ranking process.

I have been employed in the imaging field for more than one year. How does this help me in the ranking process?

Full-time employment in an imaging discipline outside of CI or Electrophysiology (EP) will help you in the ranking process. You must submit a patient care experience form completed by a supervisor or human resources representative to verify employment as an imaging professional. Points will be awarded as follows:

  • New graduates and/or less than 6 months full time work experience = 0 points
  • 1 – 2 years full time employment = 1 point
  • 3 – 6 years full time employment = 2 points
  • 7 – 9 years full time employment = 3 points
  • 10 years or more = 4 points

I have been employed in the cardiac cath lab or electrophysiology (EP) lab more than one year. How does this help me in the ranking process?

Full-time employment in the cardiac cath lab (CCL) or electrophysiology (EP) lab will help you in the ranking process. You must submit a patient care experience form completed by a supervisor or human resources representative to verify full-time employment in at least one of those areas.

Points will be awarded as follows:

  • New graduates and/or less than 6 months full time work experience = 0 points
  • 1 – 2 years full time employment = 1 point
  • 3 – 6 years full time employment = 2 points
  • 7 – 9 years full time employment = 3 points
  • 10 years or more = 4 points

I hold a primary ARRT certification, but I have never been employed in the imaging field. Can I apply to the CI program?

Yes, you can apply to the ACC CI program. Please note that the absence of patient care experience may lower your overall ranking score against other applicants. Clinical patient care experience as a student will not be accepted in the applicant ranking process. Applicants with zero work experience in the discipline will receive zero patient care experience points in the ranking process.

What is the CI ranking process?

The CI ranking process helps determine which applicants will be accepted into the CI program. The process uses grade points that are awarded for supporting coursework, patient care experience, and advanced credentials earned from ARRT.  Patient care experience points are awarded based on documented, full-time paid work experience in any radiographic modality. ARRT credentials earned in advanced imaging modalities are awarded based upon copies of ARRT registry cards.

What supporting courses are used in the CI ranking process?

Supporting courses are used to award grade points in the application process. You must submit school transcripts that clearly show the grade awarded. Transcripts that do not clearly show grades awarded will not be accepted in the CI ranking process. The following courses are supporting courses that are used to rank CI applicants:

  • College Algebra/equivalent or passing math placement test
  • Introduction to Speech Communications or equivalent
  • Introduction to Computing or Principles of Radiographic Imaging (RADR 2205) or Intermediate Ultrasound Physics (DMSO 1342)
  • Patient Care Course (RADR 1309) or Introduction to Sonography (DMSO 1210)
  • Anatomy & Physiology (BIOL 2402 OR BIOL 2404)

Grade Point Distribution:

  • A = 4 grade points
  • B = 3 grade points
  • C = 2 grade points
  • D or F = 0 grade points
  • CR = 2.5 grade points

Prerequisite Course(s) not taken earn 0 grade points.

I have not taken one or more of the supporting CI courses. Can I apply to the CI program?

Yes, you can apply to the ACC CI program. Please note that the absence of one or more of the supporting courses may lower your ranking relative to other applicants. Absent supporting courses will receive zero grade points in the ranking process.

What are advanced imaging credentials?

These are credentials which have been awarded to individuals from the ARRT above and beyond the Radiology (R) credential. These include Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), Mammography (M), Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI), Bone Densitometry (BD), Nuclear Medicine (N), Sonography (S), Vascular Sonography (VS), Breast Sonography (BS), and Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A). Each advanced credential an applicant possesses at the time the application is submitted will be awarded one point.

What is AHA ACLS?

ACLS or Advanced Cardiac Life Support is awarded by the American Heart Association. It is an advanced certification in the areas of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), airway management, pharmacology, and EKG interpretation.

What courses are in the CI degree plan and when are they offered?

Effective Fall 2020

Fall Semester:

CVTT 1304 and CVTT 1313 are didactic online courses.

CVTT 2560 Clinical is 8 hours per day, 3 days a week.  Clinical shifts can begin as early as 6:30 a.m. and run until 4 p.m.  However, clinical days and shifts will vary from site to site and are determined based upon site workflow to optimize student learning in the clinical environment.  Clinical sites are offered at hospitals in the greater Austin metro area.

Spring Semester:

CVTT 1340 and CVTT 1350 are didactic online courses.

CVTT 2561 Clinical is 8 hours per day, 3 days a week.  Clinical shifts can begin as early as 6 AM and run until 4 PM.  However, clinical days and shifts will vary from site to site and are determined based upon site workflow to optimize student learning in the clinical environment.  Clinical sites are offered at hospitals in the greater Austin metro area.

How are clinic hours structured?

Clinic hours are structured and may be minimally flexible. There might be a slight variation on start and end times depending upon the clinical site, but students will be in clinic 8 hours per day, three days per week. Clinic start time might be as early as 6 a.m. and run as late as 4 p.m. Facilities will work with faculty to determine the days and times best suited for student clinical experience based upon department workflow.

There are strict guidelines that must be followed in order to provide a good learning experience for the student and minimize liability for the clinical affiliate:

  • The program has sole discretion on the clinical placement of the student.
  • The clinical affiliate may decline a student at any time for any reason.
  • Clinical hours can only be completed at an approved clinical affiliate.
  • The hours are negotiated per student withinthe above hours and clinical affiliates hours and supervising technologist availability.
  • Only one student can be scheduled for clinical hours at a time, including students from other programs and employees in training.
  • Declared students cannot perform clinical hours at their place of employment.

As a declared student, can I do clinicals at my current place of employment?

No, you are not allowed to do clinicals with your employer. ​You will be assigned to a different site.

The CI clinical times conflict with my current schedule. Can I change my clinical training hours or days?

There may be limited flexibility available with the clinical schedule. However, the program does not assign clinical hours around a student’s personal or work schedule. It is highly recommended that declared students in the CI program work or have outside commitments of less than 24 hours per week due to the time commitments involved. Declared students should expect to spend up to 45 hours per week on clinical and didactic course work.

Will I be assigned to more than one clinical facility while in the program?

Generally, students will remain at the same clinical site for both semesters of the CI program to maximize learning and help them meet the ARRT-CI clinical requirements. However, the option to observe clinical procedures at another facility may be available under certain circumstances.

Are there any safety concerns with training in the CI environment that will prevent me from applying to the CI program?

Safety concerns in the CI environment include exposure to ionizing radiation, iodinated contrast media, hospital grade disinfectants, blood and bodily fluids and disease. However, these sources are of no greater risk than other medical imaging professions.

Who can I contact if I need more information?

Please feel free to contact CI program faculty member Michelle Hamilton, [email protected], or phone (512) 223-5819 for more information.

You may also contact one of our Health Sciences Offices.

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