Cardiovascular Technologist Profession In Malaysia Part II: Cardiovascular Technologist Training & Education (Updated Version)

Cardiovascular Technology Education

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) believes that there are three primary elements involved in assuring the competence of a cardiac sonographer and can be applied for cardiovascular technologist in Malaysia:

• Credentialing and Formal Education: A cardiac sonographer or cardiovascular technologist must obtain a recognized credential and using the pathways specified by a credentialing organization recognized by the regulatory body in Malaysia. Malaysian Society Of Cardiovascular Technologist (MSCVT) working really hard to make sure all cardiovascular technologist in all sub-specialty area to be recognized through MSCVT credentialing programme with support by National Heart Association Of Malaysia (NHAM). Let’s hope it will be materialize. A new cardiovascular technologist entering the field must comply with the formal educational requirements specified by the applicable credentialing organization in the future, and must fulfill those requirements through participation in a program recognized by the regulatory body.

• Technical Competence: A cardiovascular technologist must demonstrate and document technical competence in the performance of those types of non invasive and invasive examinations that the cardiovascular technologists performs

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• Continuing Education: A cardiovascular technologist must maintain his or her skills through participation in appropriate continuing education.

The role of the cardiovascular technologist is increasingly complex and demanding. The cardiovascular technologist must be familiar with approved clinical protocols for each type of cardiovascular diagnostic examination he or she performs, the cardiovascular technologist also must be able to analyze the patient’s clinical history fully, in order to identify the purpose of the examination, frame the clinical questions that the examination is intended to answer, and expand the examination as necessary to answer the clinical questions.

To this end, the cardiovascular technologist must have a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular and thoracic anatomy, cardiovascular pathophysiology, hemodynamics, and embryology, in order to recognize normal and abnormal cardiovascular structure, function, and abnormalities of blood flow. The cardiovascular technologist also must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ultrasound physics, instrumentation, tissue characteristics, and measurements of blood flow, including the biological effects of ultrasound. The cardiovascular technologist must be familiar with other types of diagnostic tests examples like clinical laboratory tests, nuclear cardiology, cardiac catheterization and be able to integrate echocardiographic results with the results of such other tests.

In addition, the cardiovascular technologist must have a number of important communications and basic safety-related skills. The cardiovascular technologist must:

• Be able to interact and communicate effectively – both orally and in writing with healthcare providers, including other cardiovascular technologist, physicians, and nurses.

• Be well-versed in medical terminology.

• Be capable of explaining the purpose of the echocardiographic examination to the patient and answering patients’ questions.

• Be aware of proper infection control, including precautionary procedures.

• Be familiar with, and in compliance with, relevant laws regarding patient confidentiality and privacy.

• Be competent in first aid, certified in Basic Life Support and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Credentialing And Formal Education

Credentialing

International Credentialing

We believes that, to achieve international standards of competence, a cardiovascular technologist must be internationally credentialed. Examinations recognized by the international regulatory body are provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography® (ARDMS) in adult, pediatric, or fetal echocardiography (RDCS, Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer), and by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) for the specialty of cardiac sonography RCS, Registered Cardiac Sonographer and RCCS, Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer. Invasive Procedure credentialing from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), Registered Cardiac Invasive Specialist (RCIS). Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) and Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) at certificate level. This credentialing was recognized by American National Standard Institute (ANSI). Separate credentialing requirements apply for adult and pediatric applications of cardiac ultrasound. ASE also recommends that a cardiac sonographer who performs ultrasound in other modalities examples like vascular, abdominal and obstetric acquire the appropriate credential in each area of practice.

National Credentialing

MSCVT CREDENTIALING OF CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGIST

National Credential

The Malaysian Society of Cardiovascular Technologist (MSCVT) is a non-profit organization, and being the only leading association representing cardiovascular technologist (CVT) in Malaysia. The mission of MSCVT is to establish CVT profession, promotes higher standard of service quality, excellent structured CVT training program and continuous education for CVT thus producing a very dynamic CVT in the future.

The Malaysian Society of Cardiovascular (MSCVT) and the National Heart Association of Malaysia (NHAM) have cooperated to establish credentialing to maintain and promote appropriate standards of service quality of CVTs in Malaysia. The purpose of these credentialing is to ensure all practicing CVTs meet the minimum standard of academic qualification and fullfill the required training or work experience in this field to ensure the standards of service quality is maintained. These guidelines also ensure that the job scope of CVTs is only carried out by appropriate and qualified personnel.

Formal Education

In the future, there will be recognize pathways that are available to provide formal instruction to cardiovascular technologist, including programs that solely focus on cardiovascular technologist, programs that offer cardiac and general diagnostic cardiovascular technology, and programs that introduce participants to a broad array of cardiovascular technologies. The MSCVT has adopted specific recommendations for education and training curricular and believes that, to achieve minimum competency, cardiovascular technologist entering the field should obtain education and training that are consistent with these recommendations. But for now, almost all cardiovascular technology education was at post graduate level.

Graduate Certificate Of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Sciences-IJN College, National Heart Institute Of Malaysia

Level	Post Graduate Certificate Of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Science
Field of Study	Cardiovascular & Thoracic Science
Institution	IJN College
CGPA	Accumulation 3 Semester
Clinical Area	Compulsory
BLS	Compulsory
ACLS	Compulsary

As one of the premier providers of cardiac care within the region, IJN is an ideal training ground for professionals wishing to hone their skills in the fields of cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and cardiac anaesthesia as well as in the related allied health disciplines of Perfusion Technology, Cardiovascular Imaging, Cardiovascular Technology/Ultrasonography and Peri-operative Nursing.

The Certificate in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Sciences (CVTS) is a one- year post-basic programme offered by IJN College for healthcare professionals in the fields of:

• Cardiovascular technology
• Perfusion technology
• Peri-operative nursing
• Cardiovascular imaging

This programme provides students with a strong foundation in the basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, heart disease, and hemodynamic monitoring) and lays the foundation for them to acquire the skills and competencies required to safely manage patients within a dedicated heart care setting. The Cert. CVTS programme is geared towards healthcare professionals who are already working in the cardiac care setting or who wish to pursue a career in the above fields.

Methodology

• Full time intensive programme with classroom lectures
• Practical sessions in the respective areas on weekdays
• Guided by clinical instructors, experienced mentors and senior staff

Entry Qualification

• Certificate holders with one year working experience in related fields, OR
• Diploma in Medical Lab Technology/Radiography/Nursing, OR
• Bachelor in Biomedicine, AND
• Credit in Malay Language at SPM/SPMV level

Subjects of Study - Core Compulsory

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Heart Disease
• Haemodynamic Monitoring

Core Major

• Cardiovascular Technology/Ultrasonography 1 & 2

Module Synopsis

• Cardiovascular Technology 1 & 2

Advanced Diploma In Cardiovascular Healthcare-Training Management Division, Ministry Of Health Malaysia.

Developed @ 2012 by Training Programme Development Unit, Training Management Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia. This document is for internal use at identified Allied Health Colleges under the flagship of Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Training Management Division,

Ministry of Health Malaysia,

Level 6, Menara Prisma,

Persint 3, Persiaran Perdana Road,

62675 Putrajaya,

MALAYSIA.

Postgraduate Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography (Asia)- PgDMU (Asia)-Vision Collge

Sonographer is a person that holds a qualified ultrasound qualification such as the Postgraduate Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography (Asia)- PgDMU (Asia). The PgDMU (Asia) is an internationally recognized qualification awarded by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM), Australia and New Zealand. In Malaysia, the PgDMU (Asia) is fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).

Clinical exposure to real-life patients begins at the start of the programme. Students will have frequent patient contact at Vision Diagnostic Centre as well as affiliated medical centres throughout Malaysia. The high level of practical exposure provided by the programme ensures that graduates have high standards of clinical training.

Throughout the programme, students will be trained to obtain, review and integrate patient history. The practical training and clinical sessions will provide them with the opportunity to learn skills and procedures which are invaluable in obtaining high quality diagnostic ultrasound images. Students will be taught to exercise discretion and judgment as well as record data for interpretation. Last but not least, they will be trained in communication skills in order to deal with different kinds of patients in a professional and ethical manner.

Unfortunately, this programme was more to general ultrasound. Hopefull they will offer Postgraduate Diploma of Cardiac Ultrasonography (Asia) in the future.

Entry Requirements

Degrees issued by an appropriate authority in Cardiopulmonary Technology, Diagnostic Radiography, Medical Technology, Nursing, Midwifery, Science, Biotechnology, Biomedical Science, Biohealth, Biochemistry, Health Science, Medical degrees; or other educational background which is deemed by Vision College to make a contribution to the modality.

Bachelor In Cardiovascular Technology (Hons)- Programme under development of Malaysian Society Of Cardiovascular Technologist

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

BACHELOR IN CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY (HONS)

YEAR 1

SEMESTER 1			SEMESTER  2
Code	Subject		Code	Subject
	Calculus			Medical Microbiology
	Applied chemistry			Biochemistry
	Biostatistics			ECG (zaki)
	Anatomy and Physiology I			Anatomy and Physiology II
	English for occupational

                     

SHORT SEMESTER 1
Code	Subject
	Malaysian studies
	Islamic Studies/ Moral Education
	Professional English

YEAR 2

SEMESTER 3			SEMESTER 4
Code	Subject Name		Code	Subject Name
	Fundamental medicine			Non Invasive 2
	Non-invasive 1			Echocardiography 2
	Allied skills			Radiography
	Echocardiography 1			Clinical exposure 1(NCL 1)
				Clinical Pharmacology

SHORT SEMESTER 2
Code	Subject Name
	Clinical governance
	Leadership
	Professional English
	Total

YEAR 3

SEMESTER 5			SEMESTER 6
Code	Subject Name		Code	Subject Name
	Adult cardiology			Paediatric cardiology
	Echocardiography 3			Research method
	Invasive Cardiology 1			Invasive cardiology 2
	Electrophysiology			Clinical exposure 3 (ICL 1)
	Clinical exposure 2  (NCL 2)			Information technology
				Surgery

YEAR 4

SEMESTER 7			SEMESTER 8
Code	Subject Name		Code	Subject Name
	Research Proposal			Clinical exposure 5
	Research project			Clinical Exposure 6
	Clinical Exposure 4

                                                         

Curriculum suggestion by the writer.

About the Course

Cardiovascular technologists deal with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases of the heart (cardiac) or blood vessels (vascular). They perform cardiovascular examination and therapeutic procedures through the use of specific high-technology equipment and at the direction of qualified physicians, to create an easily definable data from which correct anatomic and physiologic diagnosis may be developed for each patient. Cardiovascular technologists play an integral role in the treatment process, applying their judgement, analytical thinking and problem solving skills in the process of obtaining accurate diagnostic information. The undergraduate programme leading up to the award of a Bachelor in Cardiovascular Technology (Hons) from Management and Science University (MSU) has been designed according to the recommendations of the community of cardiovascular technologists via the Malaysian Society of Cardiovascular Technology. With a curriculum designed for current clinical needs, qualified and experienced lecturers from both clinical and academic research backgrounds, knowledge transfer through projects and research based activities, students are well prepared for a career in healthcare.

Entry Requirements

You need to pass STPM/Matriculation/A-Level/Pre-U with at least 2.50 CGPA in Biology/Physics and Chemistry AND pass SPM with five (5) credits including three (3) from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology; OR obtain a Diploma (MQF Level 4) in a related field, from a recognized institution and with at least 2.75 CGPA (CGPAs below 2.75 must be accompanied by at least 3 years / 36 months working experience in the same field. 

International students must prove their English proficiency by scoring 6.0 on IELTS or 550 on TOEFL. 

Duration of Study

4 years

Recognition

KPT/JPS ( N/725/6/0079 ) 12/22

Among the Courses Offered

Year One

• Medical Microbiology
• Nursing Science
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Biochemistry

Year Two

• Electrocardiography
• Echocardiography
• Invasive Cardiovascular Lab
• Adult Cardiology

Year Three

• Clinical Pharmacology
• Paediatric Cardiology
• Medical Informatics
• Pacemaker and Electrophysiology

Year Four

• Clinical Exposure
• Research Project

Career Prospects

• Cardiovascular Technologist
• Echocardiographer
• Cardiac Sonographer

One Year On Job Practical Training Education In National Heart Institut Of Malaysia

Level	Professional Certificate In Cardiovascular Technologist Training
Field of Study	Cardiovascular Technology
Institution	The Department of Cardiology ,National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur
CGPA	Pass
Graduation Date	October 2010

 

Company Name	National Heart Institute
Address	Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur
Position Title	Cardiovascular Technologist Trainee
Duration	17th August 2009 – 30th September 2011
Specialization	Undergo one-year training under NCL department supervision. One-year training and one year practical training.

Job Scope

Ø  Undergo one-year training under NCL department supervision. The scope of job of cardiovascular technology is divided into two sub specialty areas, the jobs are including but not limited to: -

Ø  Noninvasive cardiovascular laboratory

o   Electrocardiography (ECG)

o   Stress Test

o   Ambulatory ECG monitoring

§  Holter

§  King of Heart

§  Rhythm Card

o   VO2 Max and Exercise Capacity

o   Nuclear Medicine

o   Echocardiogram

o   Stress Echocardiogram

o   Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

o   Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Ø  Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratory

o   Hemodynamic & vital signs monitoring

o   Blood gas analysis and Intracardiac shunt study

o   Transesophageal and Transthoracic Echocardiogram

o   Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)

o   Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP)

o   Rotational Atherectomy

o   Vascular access removal & Groin management

o   Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization Procedures

o   Trans Catheter Cardiovascular Intervention 

o   Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Industry Driven Educational Course

Medtronic Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia Technicians Development Program

Institution	Medtronic Academy
Supervisor	Yehia Sidani
Lab work	3 Modules Of Pacemaker, ICD and CRT Therapy
Experience	This program walks its attendees through a Journey in CRHF from the very basics of cardiac physiology and arrhythmias, to CRT implant / follow up. Target audience are mainly entry level technicians / cardiac technologists, and more experienced technicians who would like to refresh their knowledge in this domain. It is a self-paced 3-Level program, with all material provided on this page, and at the end of every level there will be in-person sessions and assessments. More material will be visible to you as you progress through the levels, and details about the live sessions will be communicated to you via email.