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Southeast Tech details invasive cardiology program, highlights new simulation lab and placement rates
Summary
Program director Jenna Ellerbusch told the board the invasive cardiology program trains students in angiography, structural heart procedures and electrophysiology, combines extensive simulation with seven months of clinical rotations, and is reporting strong credential pass rates and local employer demand. The board acknowledged the report.
Jenna Ellerbusch, program director for invasive cardiology at Southeast Technical College, told the board that students learn diagnostic angiography, structural heart interventions and electrophysiology procedures as part of a roughly 77-credit credential program that includes four semesters of classroom work followed by seven months of clinical rotations.
"Most people don't exactly quite understand what invasive cardiology is," Ellerbusch said, then outlined core procedures including angiograms, transcatheter aortic valve procedures and catheter-based device closures for congenital holes. She explained that students are trained on vascular access, contrast imaging and real-time fluoroscopic techniques used to identify and treat blockages.
Ellerbusch described electrophysiology training and catheter ablation: "We map out on a 3‑D map all these extra electricity power plants ... and we go in and burn them. It's called an ablation." She said students also learn pacemaker procedures, sterile technique and arrhythmia management.
The program pairs simulation with clinical placements. Ellerbusch described a new lab and simulators that students use before patient care, including VR cath-lab simulations, Symman Vascular simulators and a high-fidelity manikin for full-code scenarios. She identified the manikins by name as Milo and Otis and said students practice defibrillation, medication administration and other responses in simulation before entering clinical settings.
Ellerbusch said clinical partners in South Dakota include Avera and Sanford (Sioux Falls) and Memorial (Rapid City); she noted that many graduates secure employment in May following program completion. On credentialing, she said students perform well on the international CCI registry exam.
Board members asked about program capacity and regional demand; Ellerbusch said the program can enroll up to 26 students and that employers "can't get students out fast enough." She and board members discussed recruiting through high school tours and Dakota-built marketing.
The board moved to acknowledge the invasive cardiology update; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
