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CCT Certified Cardiographic Technician

Examination Overview

Cardiovascular Credentialing International

Credentialing Cardiovascular Professionals Since 1968

Apply online at www.cci-online.org

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Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)This Examination Overview is meant to assist you as a prospective candidate of the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) credentialing program. It provides an overview of the Qualification Requirements and Examination Content. For more details on CCI policies, the testing process, and procedures to submit an application, please visit www.cci-online.org to view or download the Applicant Handbook. Examination fee is $175 USD and all exam fees include a $100 USD non-refundable filing fee.

Qualification Requirements All applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Have a high school diploma or general education diploma at the time of application.

2. Fulfill one (1) of the qualifications of the exam for which you are applying. See qualifications listed in the tables below.

3. Provide typed documentation to support the qualification under which you are applying. Required documentation for each qualification is listed below. CCI reserves the right to request additional information.

Qualification Prerequisite

CCT1Currently enrolled as a student or a graduate of a cardiovascular or allied health training program.

CCT2Currently employed or previously employed in the field of Cardiovascular Technology or in a recognized allied health field (recognized by the American Medical Association [AMA]).

CCT3Completed requirements for a graduate or undergraduate degree from a recognized institution in a field related to science or physical health.

CCT4Volunteer service in the field of Cardiovascular Technology for a minimum of two (2) years and documentation supporting full-time technical activities for a two (2) year period.

Supporting Documentation

CCT1Completion certificate OR Student Verification Letter OR Educational Transcripts

CCT2Employment Verification Letter

CCT3Completion certificate OR Student Verification Letter OR Educational Transcripts

CCT4Employment Verification Letter

Publication Date: January 2018. This document supersedes all documentation previously released.

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Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)

Size Location Layers Chambers Valves Blood flow Arteries Veins Capillaries Arterioles

Venules Cardiac valve function Pressures Relationship of cardiac output to heart rate

and stroke volume Control mechanisms Cardiac cycle Normal valuesWaveforms ECG measurement

Bipolar, unipolar, and precordial leadsEinthoven’s triangle and law ECG calibration methodsSingle- and three-channel ECG Troubleshooting ECGs Standardization Paper speed Lead placement Electrical interference Somatic tremor

Task List The task list below describes the activities that a Cardiographic Technician is expected perform on the job. All examination questions are linked to these tasks.

Duties and Tasks % of Exam

A Conducting Pre-Procedural Activities 10%1 Receive doctor’s orders 2 Verify doctor’s orders 3 Perform universal precautions (e.g., handwashing, PPE)4 Identify patient5 Obtain patient consent 6 Transport patient7 Prepare the patient (shaving, cleaning skin, etc.)8 Identify proper landmarks9 Collect patient demographics10 Enter patient information into ECG machine11 Identify patient safety hazards

B Performing Resting ECG (12-Lead, 15-Lead, etc.) 40%1 Gather supplies and equipment 2 Educate patient on procedure expectations 3 Apply electrodes to patient4 Confirm equipment calibration 5 Perform standard ECG6 Perform right side ECG 7 Analyze ECG tracing8 Corrolate ECG morphology with anatomy and physiology

Duties and Tasks % of Exam

C Performing Stress Tests 20%1 Gather stress test supplies and equipment 2 Explain patient safety and protocol expectations3 Perform baseline ECG and obtain vital signs 4 Verify stress test protocol5 Perform stress test protocol

D Performing Ambulatory Monitoring (Holter, Event, Telemetry, Transtelephonic, Pacemaker, etc.) 5%

1 Gather ambulatory monitoring supplies and equipment2 Explain procedure to patient 3 Verify equipment functionality 4 Attach leads to patient (stress loops, pouch, etc.)5 Explain ambulatory monitoring requirements (limitations,

expectations, duration etc.)

E Performing Rhythm Analysis 25%1 Analyze obtained data 2 Correlate ECG findings (waveforms, segments, intervals, etc.)

with cardiac function3 Identify, report, and record findings

TOTAL 100%

Examination MatrixThis examination matrix is provided to illustrate the general distribution of questions and the relative weight or emphasis given to a skill or content area on the examination.

Content Category Approximate Percentage of Examination

A Conducting Pre-Procedural Activities 10%

B Performing Resting ECG (12-Lead, 15-Lead, etc.) 40%

C Performing Stress Tests 20%

D Performing Ambulatory Monitoring (Holter, Event, Telemetry, Transtelephonic, Pacemaker, etc.) 5%

E Performing Rhythm Analysis 25%

TOTAL 100%

Knowledge ListThe list below describes general areas of knowledge that are needed in order to perform the tasks identified. This knowledge will apply across multiple tasks.

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Sample Questions

1. The heart is divided into ______ chambers:

a. One

b. Two

c. Four

d. Three

2. Which of the following supplies blood to the arterial system after contraction?

a. Left atrium

b. Right atrium

c. Left ventricle

d. Right ventricle

3. The sensitivity switch controls the:

a. Heat

b. Speed

c. Amplification

d. ECG position

4. The little “spark” that makes the heart beat, originates in the

a. AV node

b. SA node

c. Purkinje fibers

d. Bundle branches

5. Which of the following is a poor conductor of electric current?

a. Metal

b. Blood

c. Dry skin

d. Body fluids

Answers1. c 2. c 3. c 4. b 5. c

CCT References The textbooks listed below are intended as recommended resources when preparing for examination. You may have previous or later editions of these or other references available that also present accept-able coverage of the subject matter. Any general text in cardiovascular techniques and evaluation, and cardiac patient care and management may be used. It is not necessary to use all of the texts identified. They are provided as suggestions only. CCI does not endorse or recommend any third-party review course or material.

1. Shier, David, Jackie Butler, and Ricki Lewis. Hole’s essentials of hu-man anatomy and physiology. 9th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2006.

2. Booth, Kathryn A., and Thomas E. O’Brien. Electrocardiography for healthcare professionals. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.

3. Dubin, Dale. Rapid interpretation of EKG’s: an interactive course. 6th ed. Tampa, Fla.: Cover Pub. Co., 2000.

4. Green, Jacqueline M., and Anthony J. Chiaramida. 12-Lead EKG Confidence a Step-by-Step Guide. 2nd ed. New York: Springer Pub. Co., 2009.

5. Phalen, Tim, and Barbara Aehlert. The 12-lead ECG in acute coro-nary syndromes. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby, 2006.

6. Wagner, Galen S., and Henry J. L. Marriott. Marriott’s practical electrocardiography. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008.

7. Wesley, Keith. Huszar’s basic dysrhythmias and acute coronary syn-dromes: interpretation and management. 4th ed. Elsevier- Health Sciences, 2011.

Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)

An online self-assessment examination is available for purchase for self-evaluation purposes.

For more information, see www.cci-online.org.