Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) Orientation

This course prepares individuals with skills to deliver safe and competent patient care. This course is designed to provide individual with critical thinking and problem solving knowledge to use in everyday practice.  Course work includes classroom and simulations practice. Upon satisfactory completion of this entire course, students will be allowed to take the written and skills competency for interpreting cardiac heart rhythms and performing EKGs by completing the ASPT National EKG Exam. The main focus of this course is to prepare individuals for entry level into healthcare, work as a Cardiovascular Technician and be a valuable asset to the community.

This course will be taught as a traditional face to face course. This course is 112 hours of classroom instruction and simulation skills.  Patient care is focused on adult and elderly population.

The Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) class is offered as a Continuing Education class; therefore students will not receive credit hours or be eligible for financial aid. Students can apply for CE scholarships or contact NCWorks for assistance. 

Upon successful completion of this entire course, students will be allowed to take the written and skills competency for interpreting cardiac heart rhythms and performing successful EKGs in order to complete the ASPT National EKG Exam.

Students may withdraw and receive:

• 100% refund prior to the 1st date of class 
• 75% refund if withdraw is within the 1st 10% of the class

Transfers are dependent on availability in the new class.

In order to receive a refund or transfer to another section, the student must discuss with the instructor, Administrative Assistant or Director.

Administrative Assistant, Public Safety
(919) 464-2368

It is mandatory that the corresponding module's make-up work be completed and turned into instructor within designated period of time upon return from time missed for all classes. Failure to turn in make-up work within designated period of time will result in automatic dismissal from the program and a grade of NG.
NO EXCEPTIONS.

• The class will have 6 exams (60% of grade), one writing assignment paper (10%) and 1 final cumulative exam (30% of grade) throughout the course.
• 6 exams worth 10% each (60%); must maintain a 80 grade average on exams.
• Final Exam is worth 30% of the final grade; must acquire grade of 80 or above to pass.
• Writing assignment paper is worth 10%; must acquire grade of 80 or above.
• Student must obtain overall average of 80% to pass course.
• Lab proficiency is determined by student completing a minimum of 80% of required analysis of each simulation for each heart rhythm interpretation and EKG skill performance, including all critical areas of the skill.

Grading and Minimum Passing Criteria: Each student must have a cumulative grade of 80 for the classroom test grades and a 80 on the final exam to progress to clinical. Students must also show competence in lab practices and skills with a grade of satisfactory in order to progress to clinical. The instructor will make every effort to return tests within two class meetings and written assignments within two weeks. Course uses a 10 point grading scale.

 CRITICAL SUCCESS STRATEGIES:

• The student must possess a knowledge base and skills from certification in CPR/BLS skills.
• Course Workload is described in the Cardiovascular Technician Outline and Curriculum outline.
• Technical Standards

• Students will be considered tardy 1 minute after class or lab starts.
• Dismissal from the program and a grade of NG will result if a student accumulates more than 8 hours of class, lab or clinical absences.
• Absences will not be considered “excused“ or “unexcused”. Failure to be in class, lab, or clinical for any reason is considered an absence.  It is your responsibility to complete the classroom make-up work as designated by the instructor. It is not the instructor’s responsibility to ask for make-up work.
• The student must complete all components (theory, lab and clinical) of the class. There are no provisions to retake either component or transfer to another section for either component.  Failure of any component will result in a grade of “NG” and the student will be required to re-register and repay to repeat the entire class.

Emergency cancellations and closings

Johnston Community College emergency cancellations and closings are posted on the College web page and messages are on the main phone line (919) 934-3051. Current students with a JCC email are automatically registered to receive email alerts from the College emergency alert system.

Students can also sign up with Jaguar Alerts to receive phone text messages and voicemail in the event of an emergency or inclement weather situation.

Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) classes cancelled in December, January, February and March will have mandatory inclement weather makeup dates. In the event the College closes and an entire class is missed, mandatory makeup dates will be assigned by the instructor. The attendance policy for mandatory makeup dates is the same as a regular class date. If closings result in partial hours of class being missed, these hours may be made up by adding hours to existing class dates.

• The student is expected to behave in a mature manner. Class, lab or clinical disruption will result in dismissal for the day or dismissal from the program.
• Students must follow the JCC and clinical site dress code and this dress code policy will be enforced. The instructor reserves the right to have you leave class to change your appearance.
• Every student is expected to participate in all lab activities. Inability to correctly participate in lab for any reason will result in dismissal for the day or dismissal from the program.
• At the end of the lab session, all students are required to clean the lab and return all materials to their proper places or receive deductions from their attendance grade.
• Fingernails must be clean and short to participate in lab or the student will receive deductions from their attendance grade.
• No eating and/or drinking in the class or lab.
• No use of cell phones or other electrical/musical devices in the classroom, lab or clinical sites.
• No children allowed on campus.

• Mandatory clinical preparation orientation is scheduled at the beginning of the clinical component.
• An 8-hour mandatory mock competency is scheduled at the end of clinical.
• Students are expected to be at the assigned clinical site ready to begin work at the beginning of the clinical day. If the student arrives at clinical and is not prepared to begin work 1 minute after the scheduled clinical start time, they will be considered tardy.
• Tardiness or early departures equates to clinical absence.
• If a student needs to be absent during the clinical component, they must notify the instructor prior to clinical. Failure to correctly notify the instructor of an absence may result in automatic dismissal from the program and a grade of "NG" .
• Students cannot leave the clinical facility for any reason without approval from the instructor.
• Dismissal from the program and a grade of NG will result if the student has more than 8 hours of class, lab or clinical absences without approval from the Director. **Students cannot miss time from clinical portion of the class or they will be dropped.**

Students must wear approved student uniform to class, lab, and clinical.  The student must have white non-skid leather shoes and a stethoscope.

Must wear school adopted uniform for class, lab, and clinical. 

The following unprofessional or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and may result in automatic dismissal from the program:

• Disrespectful, interruptive, disruptive, impatient behavior toward the instructors, fellow students, staff, or clinical staff
• Inappropriate reaction at any time
• If the instructor suspects you are a safety risk in clinical due to a student physical or behavior action or issue
• Cheating, suspected of alcohol or drug use on campus or before class
• Fighting or the use of profanity or demonstrating an attitude that would frighten a patient such as loud, raised, angry voices
• If dismissal occurs for any reason, you are not eligible for a refund

• Cheating, forgery, and plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in automatic dismissal
• Not submitting make-up work for class time missed within designated time
• More than 8 hours of class, lab or clinical absences
• Absence from Mandatory Clinical Preparation and Orientation
• Failure to submit correctly completed mandatory paperwork by the deadline
• Failure to score 80 or better on unit tests, abbreviation tests, final exam, etc.
• Students are expected to use English as the primary language 

Performance Standards for Admission and Progression

In compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, the following standards have been established.  According to the nature of the work required in Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) practice and the educational requirements of the Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) curriculum, the student must be able to meet the following:

 Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. Collect data. Explain treatment procedures. Document and interpret Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) actions and patient and family responses.

Standard	Some Examples of Necessary Behaviors (not all inclusive)
Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.	Identify cause and effect relationship in clinical situations; follow nursing care plans/care maps.
Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.	Establish rapport with patients, families, and colleagues.
Physical abilities sufficient to move from room and maneuver in small spaces.	Moves around in patients rooms, workspaces and treatment areas; administer cardio-pulmonary procedures; able to lift/maneuver 30 pounds.
Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) care.	Move, calibrate, use equipment and supplies; lift, transfer, and position mobile and immobile patients.
Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.	Hears monitor alarm, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds, cries for help.
Visual ability sufficient for physical observation, performance of Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) procedures and maintenance of environmental safety.	Observes patient responses, such as skin color, facial expression. Monitors vital signs. Reads records.
Tactile ability sufficient for physical observation and performance of Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) procedures.	Perform Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) procedures.
Emotional stability and mental alertness in performing patient care.	Maintaining a calm and efficient manner in high stress/pressure situations with patients, staff, supervisors and colleagues.

If a Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) student believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodation or modifications, the college must determine, on an individual basis, whether or not the necessary accommodations or modifications can be made reasonably.

Johnston Community College and the clinical facilities have designated the company ViewPoint as the criminal background check and drug screen provider. JCC will not accept criminal background check results from any company other than ViewPoint.

The criminal background check and drug screen costs $122.00 and must be done after registration and prior to the first day of Nurse Aide I class.

The cost of the criminal background check and drug screen is non-refundable. College costs associated with criminal background check and drug screen are also non-refundable. 

Click the following link to access the ViewPoint Portal  to purchase background, drug screen and medical document manager. 

Place order

You will receive a confirmation email from ViewPoint with a receipt of sale once order is placed. This receipt of sale must be turned in on the first day of class.

1. Within 48 hours, you will receive a second ViewPoint email with a barcode for the urine drug screen. Take this to any Labcorp location to complete your urine drug screen. 
2. Once you complete this urine drug screen, Labcorp will give you a urine chain of custody form. You must turn in this form on the first day of class. 

The criminal background check is a requirement from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) 2004 revised standard HR.1.20.

All types of felony or misdemeanor convictions, those that are pending, and questionable histories will be reviewed by the clinical site and admittance into the clinical setting will be determined by the clinical facility. You may contact the Human Resource departments at the clinical agencies to discuss background checks.

The clinical facility decision is final.

The following criminal histories will likely disqualify a student from participating in the clinical component:

• Any pending charges
• Convictions/deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (Physical or sexual abuse, neglect, assault, murder, etc.)
• Convictions related to moral turpitude (prostitution, public lewdness/exposure, etc.)
• Convictions/deferred adjudications related to the sale, possession, distribution, or transfer of narcotics or controlled substances
• Registered sex offenders.
• Positive or dilute drug screens.
• To complete the course, clinical must be completed. Students will be dropped from the program if clinical privileges are denied.

Students must submit a copy of all mandatory paperwork to the instructor by the first day of class.
NO EXCEPTIONS.

Students will not be allowed to enter clinical until all paperwork is submitted and approved.

Please keep the original paperwork for your records.

• Validation of 2 official signature bearing ID’s, with matching names, one of which must be a US government issued, valid photo ID and the other must be a US Social Security card.  The Social Security card must be signed. JCC does not accept laminated social security cards.
• Copy of ViewPoint Criminal Background Check receipt of sale. 
• Receipt of urine chain of custody.
• Correctly completed Medical form in ViewPoint.
• Copy of High School Diploma or transcript or equivalency or college diploma or transcript or reading placement sit scores.
• Proof of the following immunizations:
1. Annual physical examination (PDF) (Must be completed on ViewPoint form and valid throughout the course)
2. TDAP vaccine: Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis.
3. Tetanus: included in TDAP vaccine; must be current within last 10 years.
4. TB Skin test (TST): 2 step method required (receive first injection, obtain result within 48-72 hours, wait 7-21 days and get second injection, obtain second result within 48-72 hours); Upload both TB (TST) skin test results to ViewPoint at the same time. (Must be valid throughout the course)
5. Hepatitis B Series (or sign declination form (PDF))
6. Varicella (Chicken Pox) a positive titer result or evidence of 2 vaccines.
7. MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) a positive measles, mumps and rubella titer result or evidence of 2 vaccines.
8. Influenza vaccine for current flu season.
9. Covid vaccine per clinical agency specifications. Students may file a medical exemption for covid vaccines.  Medical exemptions have to be signed by a medical provider (Physician/PA or Nurse Practitioner).  Clinical acceptance for each student is per the clinical site policies and regulations.

• Copy of CPR/BLS certification must be uploaded to ViewPoint.  You must obtain your AHA BLS provider CPR certification to be enrolled in this class. If you are already CPR certified, the certification must be valid through clinical. Online CPR is not accepted as you must actually demonstrate CPR on a manikin in front of an instructor for your CPR certification to be accepted. Johnston Community College offers CPR classes. (See list of available JCC CPR classes.) *Heartsaver certification is not accepted.
  

Log in to your account on ViewPoint with the username and password created during the purchasing process.

Once logged in, you will see your health portal where you will need to upload documentation for COVID 19, CPR, Hepatitis B, Flu, MMR, Physical, Tdap, TB skin tests and varicella.

1. First, bring copies of the following to Health Education/Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) Faculty in the Elsee Building for review:

• • Your completed Registration Form (PDF)
  • A copy of your High School diploma or equivalent*
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Current AHA HealthCare Provider CPR card** (Must be maintained throughout course)
  • Social Security Card
  • *If you have not completed high school or have a GED, you must take a reading placement test (PDF).
  • You must complete the orientation post-test before registration

With faculty approval, you will then register for a class, complete the background check, urine drug screen, physical, and immunizations.

Please note: Class space is limited and enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis.

Once you have registered and submitted your payment, you have secured a seat in the class. Then you must complete the following:

Purchase the required textbook, handbook, skills pack and Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) nametag listed below.
These materials may be purchased at the JCC Bookstore located in the Wilson Building. (Taxes not included)

• Basic Arrhythmias by Gail Walraven, Current edition

• “The Health Care Professionals Guide to Quality Electrocardiography Training”.

• Course does not allow e-textbooks or used textbooks.

• Cardiovascular Technician (EKG) nametag

Purchase the required uniform.
Student needs to purchase the required uniform, and the uniform must be worn at all times class/lab/clinical.

• Caribbean blue scrub top
• Caribbean blue scrub pants/skirt
• White leather shoes (no open toes or heels)
  
  If you have any questions or concerns about the orientation or registration process, please email Connie Grady,  or call Lori Collier (919) 464-2368.