Society of Cardiopulmonary Technology Inc.

Latest News

SCT Education Courses

2008

SCT runs education courses specifically for Technicians and Physiologists in New Zealand and abroad. In order to undertake an SCT course, you must be a member of the society. Simply complete an application form (to your left) for the course you wish to complete and send the form to the SCT secretary.
The courses currently available are:

Certificate in Physiological Measurement (CPM) - 1 year Technicians course. Cost $1500
Certification of Cardiac Physiologists (CCP) - 2 year Physiologists course. Cost $750
Post Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Technology - previously known as COP and only running for 1 more year

All exam resits require the completion of the Examination Resit form available from the Education Coordinator. Cost = $100 NZD

Certificate in Physiological Measurement (CPM)

2008

The Certificate in Physiological Measurement (CPM) course is a one year FTE course, specifically aimed at Cardiac and Sleep technicians only. You must be employed in a technical capacity to be eligible to enrol in the course.

The course is split into three modules:

General:

This module is compulsory and will be completed in the first half of the year. The topics covered are: Cells and Tissues, Blood, Nervous Control, Vascular System, Cardiac Anatomy, Cardiac Physiology, Respiratory Anatomy, Mechanics of Breathing, Ventilation, Gas Exchange, Basic Electricity, Electrical Safety, Electrodes and Electrolytes, Defibrillators and Resuscitation.

Cardiac:

This module is optional and will only be completed by students who have a Cardiac component to their job and are working towards registration as a ECG, Cardiac or Cardiopulmonary Technician. This module will be completed in the second half of the year. The topics covered are: Normal ECG, Abnormal ECG, Non-invasive Monitoring, Exercise Stress Testing, ECG Machine, ECG Technique, Pacemakers, Cardiac Diseases. There is a practical section to this module consisting of a formal ECG assessment.

Sleep:

This module is optional and will only be completed by students who have a Sleep component to their job and are working towards registration as a Sleep Technician (PSG, PAPV). This module will be completed in the second half of the year. The topics covered are: Anatomy and Physiology of Sleep and Breathing, Pathophysiology of Common Sleep Disorders, Methods of Instrumentation/Treatment, Protocols for Monitoring Intervention and Scoring.

Administration

Worksheets are due in fortnightly, 80% of these must be completed, all worksheets submitted must be passed with a minimum of 50%. There is a block weekend held in August or September: 1 ½ days for the Cardiac module and one day for the Sleep module. The students are required to attend the days relevant to the module(s) that they are doing. The workshop will cover practical technique and reinforce theory for each of the optional modules. The Cardiac module will consist of one day of theory lectures and ½ day for a practical ECG assessment.

The exam consists of separate sections for each of the modules that the student is completing. The exam questions are all multi choice and is 2 hours duration.

In order to pass the CPM course the student must achieve the following:

Practical audit >80%
Worksheets: minimum of 80% submitted, all worksheets achieve >50%
General module of exam >50% and Specialist module of exam >70%
Completed 1 year Full-Time-Equivalent work experience

Additional information:

There are 2 intakes for the CPM course which governs when the examination can be undertaken. One at the start of the year, and one half way through.

Closing date for applications: Third Friday in February for the November exam in the same year, Second Friday in May for the June exam the following year
Course start date: Late February/early March or Beginning of June
Block weekend: 3rd weekend in August or early September
Final Exam date: 2nd Friday in November or 2nd Friday in June
Exam resit date: The following exam scheduled date (6 months later)

Certification of Cardiac Physiologists (CCP)

March 2007

The aim of this programme is to ensure that there is an agreed standard of practical training and competency for all those practicing as a cardiac physiologist or training to be a physiologist in New Zealand. The programme standards and oversight are directed by the Society of Cardiopulmonary Technology (SCT) as the national body representing the profession.

For Provisional Physiologists, the course is to be run in conjunction with the Post Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Technology (through the University of Otago). Completion of both these courses will entitle the trainee to full registration as a Cardiac Physiologist through the Clinical Physiologists Registration Board.

Trainee entry requirements:

Trainees must meet the following criteria to be allowed entry into the programme:

Must be employed in an SCT aaccredited training hospital / department
Must have an SCT approved supervisor who is registered as a Cardiac Physiologist with a current practicing certificate
Must be employed with a job title and description that reflects that the person is training to be a Cardiac Physiologist
Must be working full time or greater than or equal to 0.8 FTE and achieve 2 years Full-Time-Equivalent work experience
Must be enrolled in one of the following qualifications: Post Graduate Certificate in Medical Technology or Post Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Technology
Must be a financial member of SCT
Must be registered as a Provisional Cardiac Physiologist

Enrolment process:

Completion of the Certification of Cardiac Physiologists application form
The application form is signed by the charge technologist to confirm the applicant is suitable, i.e. job title, hrs of work.
Enrolment status must be confirmed by the University of Otago for the PGD in Medical Technology.

Fees:

Initial application for certification $600.00
A competency assessment may be required by a visiting SCT approved assessor for individual procedures. This can be arranged by SCT at an additional cost to the application fee. This amount will be advised prior to assessment as it will vary due to travel costs.
Exam resit fee = $100 NZD

Examination

The CCP examination consists of a 2 hour multi-choice exam covering all the objectives for the 12 modules. The qualification is achieved once 2 years FTE has occurred.

Extension of Training Time

Where a trainee does not meet the training requirements within the 2 year period, the trainee may apply for an extension. Extensions of 6 monthly intervals may be granted where reasonable reason for the extension is given along with the support of the technical supervisor or charge physiologist. The trainee will remain registered as a Provisional Cardiac Physiologist and they will not sit the certification examination until the practical training requirements are achieved.

Training Structure

On acceptance into the certification programme the trainee will be provided with a workbook which outlines the expectations of the programme. Throughout the two year training period the trainee will complete the workbook requirements, gain clinical experience under supervision, have practical assessments performed and sit a final competency examination.

The Society of Cardiopulmonary Technology Inc.

Top Links

Application Forms

Education Course Updates

2008 Exam Details

Education Contact

Links