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overview
Pacemaker Technology Advanced Specialty Certificate is a post-diploma guided-learning/distance education program designed to fulfill the need for trained associated professionals skilled in a variety of cardiac device procedures. This program exposes the student to a range of cardiac patients and a variety of biomedical equipment found within a hospital or clinic environment.
The program offers the opportunity to gain a BCIT Advanced Specialty Certificate and allows students to begin preparing for national and international certification examinations.
BCIT has designed the program to provide for:
- registration on a course by course basis if you wish to acquire specific skills and knowledge
- full advanced specialty certificate program
Taking a single course or multiple courses in sequence does not guarantee acceptance into the Pacemaker Technology Advanced Specialty Certificate program.
The Program
This unique, distance education/guided-learning program combines theory and clinical experience in hospitals and pacemaker clinics. The program emphasizes theoretical and clinical application of electrophysiology, cardiac pathology, cardiac pharmacology and cardiac physiology. In addition to the theoretical basis contained in the courses, the clinical practicum offers students the opportunity to practise the fundamentals required to perform the following:
- pacemaker/lead analysis on implant
- cardiac device assessment and programming.
program entry
Entrance requirements
One of:
- Graduation from a minimum two-year allied health or nursing diploma/degree program.
- National registration with a professional health association and a minimum of 5 years of current experience in the pacemaker lab environment (subject to approval by the Program Head).
- Relevant BSc with appropriate allied health experience (proof of allied health exposure must be available for review by the program head).
Additional Requirements:
- Letter of reference from supporting pacemaker lab
- Verification of relevant employment
- 500-word essay detailing interest in the program and work related experience
- Resume
BC provincial exams
For programs beginning in August 2007 or later which require Grade 12 Math and Science courses, BCIT will not require the applicant to write the provincial exam. Provincial exam marks will still be required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12.
PLAR
Transfer Credit
To apply for theory course transfer credit, complete a Request for Transfer Credit Review and attach your official transcripts along with course outline of each course for which you are requesting a transfer credit review. Transfer credit is generally not recommended if the course was taken more than five years ago.
Compressed Time Frame (CTF)
BCIT offers Compressed Time Frame for clinical practicums on an individual basis, for those who have relevant background, knowledge and skills.
courses
Program delivery
- This is a distance education/guided learning program with WEBCT and/or toll-free telephone tutorial support.
- The theory courses can be taken on a part-time basis, the clinical can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
- There are three 12-week terms of Fall (Sept to Dec), Winter (Jan to Apr) and Spring (Apr to July).
Program matrix
| Required Courses |
Credits |
| |
CARD 4203 |
Concepts in Pacemakers
Includes indications, technology, electrophysiology, programmability, modes, hemodynamics, rate-modulated implantable cardioverter defibrillator and anticardia devices, implantation and patient followup. Prerequisites: 60% in CARD 3330 and 60% in CARD 3360 |
3.0 |
| |
CARD 5301 |
Concepts in Electrophysiology
This course provides the student with knowledge and understanding of the concepts in diagnostic and therapeutic electrophysiology used in the diagnosis and management of patients with arrhythmias. Some of the concepts covered include: cardiac conduction system, mechanisms of conduction abnormalities, basic electrophysiology of antiarrhythmic medications, principles of electrophysiologic testing, clinical indications for electrophysiological studies, and interpretation of intracardiac and surface electrocardiograms. Prerequisites: 60% in CARD 3330 and 60% in CARD 3360 |
3.0 |
| |
CARD 5302 |
Pacemaker/ICD Implant*
This course provides the student with the knowledge and understanding of pacemaker/ICD implant. Some of the topics covered include: pre-implant assessment, device implant procedure, and patient sedation. Prerequisites: 60% in CARD 4203 and 60% in CARD 5301 |
3.0 |
| |
CARD 5303 |
Pacemaker/ICD Follow-up*
This course provides the student with the knowledge and understanding of pacemaker/ICD follow-up. Some of the topics covered include: cardiac pharmacology, patient assessment, device assessment, device programming, patient monitoring, patient education, and database management. Prerequisites: 60% in CARD 4203 and 60% in CARD 5301 |
3.0 |
| |
CARD 5304 |
Pacemaker/ICD Case Studies*
This course provides the student with the knowledge and understanding of pacemaker/ICD case study analysis. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an introduction to problem solving pacemaker, ICD and CRT devices. This course will further develop your skills in patient assessment, device assessment and device programming. Prerequisites: 60% in CARD 4203 and 60% in CARD 5301 and 60% in CARD 5302 and 60% in CARD 5303 |
3.0 |
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CARD 6352 |
Pacemaker Practicum
A comprehensive practicum in pacemaker implantation and follow-up at an approved cardiac pacemaker implantation centre. Students will spend 625 hours in the clinical site, first observing and subsequently learning and refining their skills in patient assessment, device performance evaluation and programming. Students will log their experiences assessing and programming a variety of single chamber and dual chamber implants. Specific goals of consistency in competency requirements must be met before the student completes the practicum. More generic skills such as computer skills, teamwork, communication, problem-solving and patient care are woven throughout the course. Prerequisites: 60% in CARD 4203 and 60% in CARD 5301 and 60% in CARD 5302 and 60% in CARD 5303 and 60% in CARD 5304 |
25.0 |
Note: You must successfully complete all theory courses prior to entry into the clinical practicum.
Note: * denotes that the course is to be conducted online. |
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| Total Credits: |
40.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if
they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's
Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
program details
Program length
We recommend taking no more than six to nine credits per term if you are taking the theory courses in the program on a part-time basis. The program can be completed in one to three years, depending on the number of courses you take per term, but you must complete the program within three years of formal acceptance. One theory credit is equal to a 12-hour course load per term, i.e., approximately one hour per week. One clinical credit is equal to a minimum of 25 clinical hours.
Notes:
- You can start the program at the beginning of any one of the three 12-week terms, fall, winter or spring.
- Since enrolment in some courses may be limited, it is recommended that you register at least one month prior to the start of the term.
- If you do the theory courses of the program based on the part-time schedule above (i.e., three to nine credits per term) it will take you two to three years to complete the program.
- You can take courses in different sequences than suggested if you meet the prerequisites and if the course is offered in that term.
Grading
A passing grade of 60% is required for all theory courses in the Pacemaker Technology program.
Program structure
| Program Completion |
Credits |
| Theory course work (part-time only) |
15.0 |
| Pacemaker clinical practicum |
25.0 |
| Total Credits |
40.0 |
graduating & jobs
Job Opportunities
Students may choose specific areas of this program to add to their existing medical technology knowledge and skills, or the entire advanced specialty certificate program to assist in gaining employment in hospital pacemaker/ICD clinics.
Graduates are involved in the performance of vital cardiac device testing, and utilize a wide range of sophisticated medical equipment that is essential for providing the cardiologist with valuable diagnostic information. Pacemaker technology is a fast-paced medical specialty with opportunities throughout Canada and abroad.
As BCIT strives to keep our programs current, programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
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