Keyword HeadersKeyword Headers |
 Online Classes |
DISTANCE LEARNING for CVTs
Cath Lab professionals would often like to attend national seminars and meetings - but often find that their hospitals are unwilling, or unable, to finance them or, perhaps, they work in small rural hospitals with few resources or educational opportunities. Distance learning is one way hospitals can keep staff up-to-date. It is a low-cost, high-return training that solves many traditional problems in cath lab education. As an educator and author, I want to share with you my experience in online education.
A new
Invasive Cardiovascular Technologist Program is now available as a distance learning program. Follow the link for more information.
LIMITED TIME TO ATTEND CLASSES
Most distance learning courses have no classes to attend - no fixed place or time. This flexible structure allows learners to log on at any convenient time. Students spend the majority of their time reading and testing themselves using the CV Review CD as the textbook.
Students go online for assignments, for online learning materials and to discuss related topics. The interactive nature of online classes requires, and encourages, constant thinking and involvement. These classes help participants solve real-world problems and allow learners to focus on the material they need to pass each class and become more proficient in the CV field.
INCENTIVE TO LEARN
Without incentives, CVTs may become complacent and fall behind in their training. Although, passing the RCIS exam is a way to gain increased respect from the cath lab staff, it is not the credential (RCIS) that should be the incentive,
but the habit of learning and thinking that
this preparation develops.Students learn online that they are not just button pushers - that this is a profession and they are a valued member of the cath lab team. Online learners work together as a group, they think for themselves, and have honest, open discussions with peers. This helps liberate cath lab staff from turf distinctions, because online - doctors, nurses, techs, and instructors become equals. Because a variety of nurses and techs enter online classes, much of the discussion centers around the advantages of cross training in the cath lab.
DRAWBACKS
It's ironic that, for some people, the single greatest advantage of online learning--the fact that the student can schedule his or her own time to complete the course work--can also be its greatest disadvantage! Because learners aren't required to attend lectures at particular time, taking an Internet course requires a some degree of self-discipline. Still, most learners find it a refreshing, efficient, economical and convenient way to learn.
"I like the pacing of the course it allows me to focus on an area - do it and go on. And it's nice to have other people who are going through the same thing I am - preparing for the RCIS. I enjoyed this class immensely. I have never been as focused on my studying and learning - not just memorizing."
Cath Lab Manager
ONLINE RCIS REVIEW CLASS - DETAILS
The Online RCIS Review is facilitated by Wes Todd and the required text is his CV Review CD ($260) which includes all the material found in the 5 CV Review Books. Each class is 11 weeks long.
Spokane Community College (SCC) currently offers two online CV Review classes each quarter - a CV Science Review and an RCIS Review.
The RCIS class is two quarters long. SCC cancels the classes and refunds tuition a week prior to start dates when there are not enough students enrolled. So, please register early!
This online course is open to any cardiac cath lab employee preparing for the RCIS national exam (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Professional). Todd Ginapp, RCIS, currently teaches the online class. He is a cath lab manager in Houston, TX and should be contacted about the details. He has set up a web site with up-to-date information on the class.
To register call SCC non-credit enrollment at (509)533-8010 several weeks prior to start of the class. Course cost is $176 plus CD.
Students may log onto the course at any time through any Internet capable computer and participate in the course.
Required homework involves studying cardiovascular review questions, answers and rationales from the interactive CD. This leads naturally to the online discussion. Here students use critical thinking skills to discuss their progress on each chapter, problem areas, current cath lab issues and standards of care.
There are no prerequisites and the course units may be taken in any sequence.
Books & CDs •
Buy Books •
On-line Classes •
CV Orientation Program
Cardio Field • Sample Exams • News • Comments
Links • Contact Wes • Site Map • Home Page
Cardio Field • Sample Exams • News • Comments
Links • Contact Wes • Site Map • Home Page
 Books & CD |
 Buy Books |
 On-line Classes |
 Orientation Program |
 Cardio Field |
 Sample Exams |
 News |
 Customer Comments |
 Links |
 Contact |
 Site Map |
 Home |
Cardiac Self Assessment
S. 1605 Clinton Rd.
Spokane, WA 99216-0420
phone (509) 926-0344
Email:
All original graphics and text are copyrighted © 2006 by Wes Todd
and may not be used without permission.
This site created by: WebMaker
Last Updated - March, 2008
