As the world economy continues to evolve, businesses and industries must adopt new practices and processes in order to survive. Quality and cost control, work teams and participatory management, and an infusion of technology are transforming the way people work and do business. Employees are now expected to read, write, and communicate effectively; think creatively, solve problems, and make decisions; and interact with each other and the technologies in the workplace. Vocational-technical programs must also adopt these practices in order to provide graduates who can enter and advance in the changing work world. The curriculum framework in this document reflects these changes in the workplace and a number of other factors that impact on local vocational-technical programs. The Cardiovascular Technology program trains technologists to operate sophisticated equipment in assisting physicians with diagnosing and treating patients with cardiac disease. The primary focus is on invasive cardiology procedures. The technologists are trained to work in a cardiac catheterization laboratory where they prepare patients for and assist the physician with a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures usually performed via radiologically-guided catheters and other instrumentation. Most cardiovascular technologists work in hospital cardiology departments, while some work in cardiologists' offices, cardiac rehabilitation centers, or ambulatory surgery centers. This curriculum was written to meet the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Standards and Guidelines for Cardiovascular Technologists. Graduates of this 2-year program will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Cardiovascular Technology and are eligible to make application to sit for the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) Exam. Industry standards are based on the "Cardiovascular Credentialing International" ("CCI"), "Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist ("RCIS") Examination Outline". Appended are: (1) Standards and Guidelines for Cardiovascular Technology Programs; (2) Related Academic Standards; and (3) 21st Century Skills. A list of suggested references is provided for each unit. (Contains 2 footnotes.)