Cardiac Specialist Program

Tuition:
$29,500
Duration:
6 months
Dates:
Spring – February 5, 2024
Fall – August 5, 2024
Location:
400 Executive Center Drive, Suite 116
Greenville, SC 29615
Course Description

The objective of this program is to train professionals in the fields of Cardiac Device Technology and Cardiac Electrophysiology. The cardiac device technologies include pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices and implantable loop recorders. The cardiac electrophysiology portion of the training includes: clinical electrophysiology, ablation and mapping. The academic year program consists of 6 months (>1,000 hours) of didactic preparation interspersed with clinical practice and hands-on skills laboratories. Upon completion of the school program, the students will be able to operate device follow-up programmers and perform other duties associated with cardiac devices and cardiac electrophysiology procedures. Industrial occupations such as clinical specialists, sales representatives, education specialists, tachycardia field engineers or field clinical engineers would be within the expertise of the students.

Additional Information

A $1,000 deposit is due upon mutual acceptance and the remaining balance of $28,500 is due 90 days before the start of the program.

Living expenses are not included in the tuition and are the responsibility of the student. Financial aid is not available through ATI and the school does not qualify for traditional student grants, loans or the GI Bill. Clinical training is required and will take place off-site away from the main campus at several other facilities. Therefore, a motorized means of transportation will be required, and there will be additional personal costs related to traveling (e.g., fuel costs, car maintenance, insurance, etc.) to these clinical sites for training.

There may also be seminars or meetings dealing with cardiac device technology, which the student may wish to attend outside of the school. The student must pay these costs, however, these extracurricular activities are not required as part of the program.

Financing Available Through Meritize Financial

ATI is excited to partner with Meritize Financial to offer student loans that give borrowers financial credit for their academic success. Students are able to finance the full cost of attendance including living expenses. [Learn More]

ATI is now offering two graduating classes annually:

Spring Session
Online Training Begins: 1st Monday in February
Onsite Classes Begin: 1st Monday in March
Graduation Date: 3rd Friday in July

Fall Session
Online Training Begins: 1st Monday in August
Onsite Classes Begin: Tuesday After Labor Day
Graduation Date: Last Friday in January

The school makes no claim or guarantee that credit earned from this program will transfer to any other program or institution.

View ATI Catalog for more details.

Admission Requirements

ATI admission requirements for the Cardiac Specialist Program are as follows:

  • The number of qualified students to be accepted into the school will be determined annually by the Board of Directors.
  • To be qualified, students must be a US citizen and must hold a baccalaureate degree.
  • The school may refuse admission to any student who does not meet all of the below requirements. The school reserves the right to choose among qualified applicants.

Students will be accepted by the school only after the following have been evaluated as satisfactory:

        • Application
        • Current curriculum vitae or resume
        • Official college transcripts
        • Essay (1 to 2 pages and should focus on why the applicant is interested in entering into the CRM/EP industry)
        • Two letters of reference (professional individuals)
        • A criminal background check/motor vehicle report (Must be ordered through SR&I. To begin, click on “student”; choose “Arrhythmia Technologies Institute” under the School Name dropdown; and “CRM” under the Academic Program drop down.)
        • A casual photo of yourself
        • An introductory video (3 to 4 minute personal introduction giving a glimpse into your childhood, family, pets, friends, etc. Be creative! Please set permission for public viewing.) For compatibility, please make sure your video is saved in the MP4 format. If you did not record in this format, you can use a free online tool such as the Adobe Express video converter – https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/video/convert/mp4
        • The student must also interview with a school official coinciding with an on-site visit of the school facilities. Virtual interviews are not preferred but are possible for distant applicants when necessary. Applications are accepted all year, however classes tend to fill up about 5 months in advance, so apply today.

Overview

What is Cardiac Electrophysiology?

Cardiac electrophysiology (EP) is the science of diagnosing and treating the electrical activities of the heart. EP studies involve invasive (intracardiac) catheter recording of spontaneous activity as well as of cardiac responses to programmed electrical stimulation (PES). These studies are performed to assess complex arrhythmias, evaluate abnormal electrocardiograms, assess risk of developing arrhythmias in the future, and design treatment. Often the studies involve sophisticated 3-D mapping to define arrhythmia pathways. These procedures increasingly include therapeutic methods (typically radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation) to treat atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia or other arrhythmias. Other therapeutic modalities employed in this field include antiarrhythmic drug therapy and implantation of artificial pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (CD).

Read More
What is Cardiac Rhythm Management?

Arrhythmia Technologies Institute is the pioneer of formalized Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) education. CRM is the science of treating abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure with electrical stimulation therapy to save and improve quality of life for patients. CRM is a dynamic industry with rapid technology introductions and advances in clinical science. ATI provides students with a comprehensive training to be successful in the ever-evolving world of CRM.

Careers

If you find a Medical Device Career fascinating then you will want to take a closer look at ATI to start your career.

ATI offers the opportunity to get into the Medical Device Career space with a great understanding of Pacemakers and ICDs as well as Electrophysiology and Ablations.

Those in a Medical Device Career have the opportunity to serve as a primary resource for clinical and sales support. They will also educate customers on products by giving presentations and demonstrating product use. They will perform clinical research and participate in case reviews and clinical observation by working with physicians and hospital lab staff. They will also attend and participate in cardiac device implants in labs and operating rooms.

A career in Medical Devices will allow you the opportunity to develop relationships with hospital personnel and physicians to collaboratively work together to offer the best care for the patients.

What Is ATI Looking For?
Good Communication Skills
Hard Worker
Passion For the Profession and a Desire to Positively Influence Patients' Lives
Team Player

Three Most Common Jobs

Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Technical Sales Support Representative

While each of the four major cardiac device companies have a slightly different title for this position, such as “Clinical Specialist (CS),” or “Field Clinical Specialist (FCS),” the job description for this role is consistent across the board. The day-to-day experience as a CS or FCS is fast- paced, exciting, dynamic, multi-faceted and rewarding. The schedule of a CS or FCS is ever-changing as these teams are constantly flexing and giving their all to meet the sometimes-emergent needs of their patients and customers. This role can include checking patients’ devices in a clinic, inpatient hospital or emergency room setting, supporting device implants in the cardiac catheterization or electrophysiology labs, providing training and assistance to clinic, hospital staff and physicians, analyzing remote device checks sent from hospitals and clinics, as well as maintaining proficiency in the company’s products and staying up to date on the constantly advancing field of cardiac rhythm management. Due to the need of cardiac device specialist teams to be able to provide service to customers at a moment’s notice, some clinical teams will have a rotating weekend/evening/holiday call schedule. As most of the positions are considered “sales support” roles, CS’s and FCS’s not only provide clinical support but support sales representatives in their efforts to increase the company’s market share in their territory.

Electrophysiology Technical Sales Support Representative

The role of an EP mapper is consistent from day-to-day as most of the procedures this role supports are elective and are scheduled in advance. Mappers must be familiar with their company’s advanced and complex mapping hardware and software, which they utilize to assist electrophysiologists and staff during ablation procedures. Mapping equipment is used to create 3D maps that provide information about a patient’s cardiac structure and anatomy, as well as the movement (or lack of movement) of electricity throughout the heart. These maps help the physician pinpoint areas in the heart that require ablation, as well as guide and monitor the actual ablation process. Mappers also provide education to physicians, fellows and clinical staff of their products. A mapping position most often only requires Monday through Friday work, though depending upon the physician being supported, procedures can start early in the morning and continue well into the evening. These procedures are often not “cut and dry” and can be fast-paced and unpredictable in terms of how long they will last and what they entail. Mapping positions are considered “sales support” positions, so individuals in this role are constantly “selling” the benefits and unique advantages their company’s mapping system provides.

Device Clinician Position

The role of the cardiac device clinician is to manage a cardiac device clinic that is typically part of a cardiology or electrophysiology practice. These clinicians check patients’ cardiac devices in the clinic setting, as well as manage scheduling and analysis of in-person device checks, as well as remote monitoring, interrogations and systems. This position is usually a Monday-Friday position where clinicians work normal business hours; therefore, the schedule of a clinician is more predictable than an industry position. This rewarding and interesting job is focused primarily on patient care, with no emphasis on sales.

Job Placement Success

%

Industry-Leading Job Placement

ATI’s job placement rate has been greater than 95% for over 30 years. ATI has relationships with many cardiac device/EP companies that we host on-campus for opportunities to discuss their companies and career opportunities with the students. They are also provided opportunities to interface with our students in a group or one-on-one venue; taking advantage of our multiple interviewing rooms. ATI does not charge a placement fee and does everything we can to help facilitate the hiring process for both student and potential employer. Students are best served if they have some geographic flexibility. Students attend ATI from and are placed in jobs all over the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. A number of students have also taken positions Internationally. ATI has trained over 500 people in the Cardiac Specialist Course and thousands in short custom courses and review courses for the IBHRE certification exam.

Educating Students in CRM and EP

Phone:
864-297-9232

Fax:
864-297-9250

Email:
office@pacerschool.org

Address:
400 Executive Center Drive, Suite 116
Greenville, SC 29615