College Diploma - Cardiovascular Technology

The Cardiovascular Technology diploma is a two-year accredited program training technologists who perform and analyse cardiac diagnostic testing.

Coursework covers cardiac anatomy, physiology and electrophysiology, electrocardiography and rhythm interpretation, exercise stress testing and protocols, Holter and ambulatory monitoring analysis, pacemaker function and follow-up, cardiac catheterisation laboratory procedures and assisting, haemodynamic monitoring and pressure measurement, cardiac pharmacology, emergency response and advanced cardiac life support, and patient care in cardiac settings. Clinical placement in hospital cardiology departments is a major component.

The catheterisation laboratory work is what distinguishes this from general cardiac testing. Cardiovascular technologists assist during interventional procedures and monitor haemodynamics in real time — high-responsibility clinical work in a small, well-paid and consistently understaffed profession.

Clinical placement is a mandatory, graded component. Placements require immunisation records, a police vulnerable sector check, CPR certification and mask fit testing — students who cannot complete these cannot progress, so arrange them early.

This is a regulated health profession in Ontario. Graduating from the program is not the same as being licensed to practise: registration with the relevant Ontario college and a certification examination follow graduation. Confirm the current registration pathway for internationally educated applicants before you apply.

Humber Polytechnic — formerly Humber College — is Ontario’s largest public college and a Designated Learning Institution (DLI O19376943122). The North campus in Etobicoke is its main site, running technology, engineering, health science, business and skilled trades programs in purpose-built labs and shops rather than lecture halls, with three intakes a year and the deepest employer network in the Greater Toronto Area.

Its field maps to CIP 51.0901 (Cardiovascular technology). Important: this is a college credential rather than a degree, so it is not exempt from the November 2024 PGWP field-of-study restriction — eligibility depends on this CIP field appearing on IRCC’s eligible list when you apply. Humber publishes a PGWP-eligible program list with CIP codes; check it, and confirm with an Apply Study Visa counsellor before committing. IRCC makes the final decision.