What is the structure of the Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist program? 

• Start Date: Fall Quarter (annually) 

• Length: 6 quarters (including summer); ~18 months 

• Credits: 90 total, full-time program 

• Format: Hybrid/in-person at the Downtown Campus during the first year 

• Location: Bates Technical College Downtown Campus, 1101 Yakima Ave.  

What is the expected cohort size? 

We anticipate enrolling 16–20 students per year, depending on clinical site availability. 

Where are clinical placements located? 

During the final two quarters, students complete full-time (36-40 hours/week) clinical rotations, potentially close to their home. Anticipated placement areas extend from Everett in the north to Olympia or potentially Hillsboro OR, in the South. Additional clinical sites may be arranged as needed. 

What are the admissions requirements? 

Admissions are selective. Priority will be given to students who: 

• Have completed all prerequisite courses with a minimum 3.0 in each course 

• Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite coursework and overall 

• Submit official transcripts showing completed or in-progress courses (must finish by end of August) 

• Have healthcare or related relevant work experience 

• Demonstrate passion for and knowledge of the industry, as evidenced by job shadowing and thoughtful and reflective personal essay.  

Prerequisite Courses (WA State Common Course Numbers): 

• ENGL&101 – English Composition (5 credits) 

• MATH&146 – Intro to Statistics or MATH&141 – Precalculus I (5 credits) 

• BIOL&241 – Anatomy & Physiology I (5 credits) 

• BIOL&242 – Anatomy & Physiology II (5 credits) 

• Any 200-level CMST course, e.g., CMST&210 (Interpersonal) or CMST&220 (Public Speaking) (5 credits) 

Recommended (not required): 

• PHYS&114 and PHYS&115 – Introductory Physics I & II, or equivalent
  Students without physics experience may find the curriculum more challenging. 

What are the program requirements beyond academics? 

Physical abilities needed to meet the competencies required to perform the work should be considered by each student. 

To begin clinical placement, students must: 

• Pass a background check and drug screening 

• Provide proof of immunizations 

• Be 18 years or older with a high school diploma or GED 

How do I arrange a job shadow experience?  

Job shadowing is a great way to explore the day-to-day work of an invasive cardiovascular technologist and strengthen your application. While Bates Technical College does not directly arrange job shadowing, many hospitals and labs offer shadowing opportunities through their Volunteer Services department or Student Placement Coordinators, the information is often accessible on their websites. 

• Visit the hospital or clinic’s website and search for “Volunteer Services” or “Job Shadowing” opportunities. 

• Follow their application process, which may include background checks, proof of immunizations, or orientation sessions. 

• Be proactive and respectful when reaching out—these opportunities are competitive and often require advance planning. 

Is the program accredited? 

• Bates Technical College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). 

• While the program will not have separate programmatic accreditation at launch, we will seek accreditation through JRC-CVT, the primary national accreditor in the coming year, this cannot be done prior to program launch. 

• Faculty and curriculum will meet JRC-CVT education and accreditation requirements. 

What is the cost of the program? 

• Tuition and fees are based on credits per quarter.  

• Visit our website for up-to-date information. Tuition and Fees – BatesTech – BatesTech 

• WA resident estimates: 16 credits ≈ $1,990 per quarter, plus associated program fees. Total estimated tuition and fees: $14,000–$16,000. Additional costs for supplies, software, and clinical requirements may apply. 

Can I work while enrolled in the program? 

This depends on a student’s study habits. Some students may find it difficult to maintain part-time employment while others may be able maintain full-time employment. The curriculum is demanding.  

May I use financial aid to pay for tuition? 

Yes, students may apply their financial aid toward tuition at Bates; simply add Bates’ school code (012259) to the FAFSA 

What types of jobs can this program qualify me to work in? 

The primary role this program aims to prepare students for are typically called Invasive Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians, Cardiovascular Techs, or Cath Lab Techs.  

Upon completion: 

• Graduates will be eligible to sit for the RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist) exam (pending programmatic accreditation)  

• Licensure and credentialing are administered through the Washington State Department of Health 

• The college provides support with exam preparation, job searching, and resume development 

How much are Invasive Cardiovascular Technologists paid? 

This will depend on the location of your job, but in 2025, starting pay in the Puget Sound area averaged approximately $49/hour 

What are the work hours for Invasive Cardiovascular Technologists? 

• Full-time employment (1.0 FTE) can consist of either four 10-hour shifts or five 8-hour shifts. Some hospitals offer 0.9 FTE with their 12-hour shifts and 0.75 FTE with three 10-hour shifts - shifts generally begin between 6am and 8am. 

• Additionally, these positions may require staff members to periodically provide after-hours coverage (stand-by), i.e. 5pm – 6am. Depending on staffing levels, this can be as little as 1 day a week and 1 weekend a month. In the Puget Sound region, stand-by pay is additional, and ranges from approximately $3 – $5/hour. If staff are “called in” while on stand-by, they may receive 1 1/2 times their hourly salary for at least 3 – 5 hours (depending on hospital policy) 

More information may be found on our website: Invasive Cardiovascular Technology – BatesTech – BatesTech 

Still have questions? We’re happy to help!  

Visit our Career and Advising page to get up-to-date information about meeting with an advisor: Career/Academic Advising – BatesTech – BatesTech  

Ready to apply?  

Visit our Getting started page to apply to Bates Tech: Apply Today – BatesTech – BatesTech  

Program applications will be accepted through a link on our website each spring/summer, refer to the website for details.  

Tuition and Fees

At Bates, our tuition is affordable and there are options to help make it even easier to gain an education. Federal aid is available for many of our students. Scholarships are also available through the Bates Foundation.

See if you qualify for other funding through our special funding programs with the Workforce Education office.

Learn more about this program’s Advisory Committee.