Physical Requirements, Technical Standards & Essential Skills
Physical Requirements
The following are the Standard Physical Requirements for working in the clinical environment
as a student in the Health Professions Programs at ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏAPP. These requirements
were established as a result of a survey of clinical affiliates that provide training
to Health Professions students. If you cannot meet these requirements, please contact
the appropriate office to discuss the matter.
Lift While Standing: Light to Moderate - Less than 50 pounds - Frequent
Lift While Sitting: Light - Under 25 pounds - Frequent
Lift With Assistance: Heavy - Over 50 pounds (Patient Transfer, etc.) - Occasionally/Frequently
Pushing: Heavy - Over 50 pounds - Frequent
Pulling: Heavy - Over 50 pounds - Frequent
Reaching: (Full Extension - Elbow Flexion) At shoulder level - Occasional/Frequent
Standing for extended periods: Frequent
Standing for extended periods with radiation protective device: (CVT Invasive Track) - Frequent
Sitting for prolonged periods: Frequent
Walking: (Moderate distances within clinical environment) - Frequent
Carrying: Light to Moderate - Less than 50 pounds - Occasional
Bending: Occasional
Stooping: Occasional
Kneeling: Occasional
Turning: Frequently
Hand Manipulation: (Hand controls, simple grasping, power grasping, fine manipulation) - Frequently
Foot Controls: Frequent
Visual Requirements: Ability to observe alarms, indicators, patients and the public. Ability to
recognize and respond to safety issues
Auditory Requirements: Ability to hear and understand orders from a physician or supervising technologist.
Ability to hear safety alarms and respond appropriately
Technical Standards & Essential Skills
A candidate for graduation from the CVT Program must demonstrate the skills and abilities
required to function as a CVT and provide for patient safety. These skills and abilities
have been defined by the national credentialing organization CCI. The following is
a representative list of these essential skills, with or without accommodation, expected
of students enrolled in the Invasive Cardiovascular Technology program.
I. Communication Skills
- Effective verbal and nonverbal communication with patients, physicians, nurses and
other health professionals. For example:
- Reporting on patient progress/status.
- Instruction of patients for procedures/patient education.
Effective, legibly written communication. For example:
-
- Progress notes in the patients' medical record.
- Documenting patient data on flow sheets and charts (entering numbers in small boxes
on department forms).
- Written case studies and reports.
Basic computer skills. For example:
-
- Data entry pertaining to patient procedures.
- Order entry for department management.
II. Conceptual and Analytical Reasoning
- Apply didactic knowledge effectively in the clinical setting. For example:
- Recognizing potential adverse effects of procedures and responding with the appropriate
intervention(s).
- Exercise good judgment in problem-solving.
III. Social Skills
- Demonstrates respect and caring for all patients.
- Demonstrates sensitive responses to patients in clinical settings.
- Interacts with peers, patients, staff and faculty in an emotionally stable, professional
and ethical manner.
- Respects diversity of cultures among clinical patients, college personnel and peers.
- Demonstrates team approach in carrying out responsibilities in all settings.
IV. Manual Dexterity and Motor Skills
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain aseptic and sterile techniques. For example:
- Scrub hands, don gloves, gown and mask.
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain aseptic technique while performing procedures.
- Adjust/fine tune analog, digital and computer-based controls on electrical equipment.
V. Other Physical Skills
- Standing and walking for extended periods of time.
- Physically support an adult in a pivot transfer.
- Lift an adult in a two-person lift.
- Lift objects up to 30 pounds. For example: oxygen cylinders up to size "E"; wear lead
apron (approximately 10 lbs.) up to one hour during procedures.
- Carry out emergency procedures such as CPR and patient evacuation.
VI. Observation and Sensory Skills
- Demonstrate appropriate visual acuity. For example:
- Accurately interpret analog and digital gauges, monitors and pressure manometers.
- Perform assessment of the patient (skin color, posture, work of breathing, etc.)
- Calibrate monitoring devices.
- Demonstrate appropriate auditory acuity
- Recognizing and responding to alarms.
- Using stethoscope for blood pressure measurement.
Related Resources
Health Professions Preview Meeting