New Information for Members
The ABC's of CEU's
How do I know when to pay my OSCT dues?
OSCT dues are paid on or before December 31st each year. Dues may be paid via e-transfer. Dues notices only need to be submitted when paying by money order. You do not have to submit payment directly to the CSCT. The monies you pay to OSCT in Dues is made up of a combination of OSCT Dues and CSCT Dues. The OSCT Treasurer submits payment to CSCT on your behalf. The CSCT fiscal year runs May to May unlike the OSCT which runs January to December. This allows ample time for the OSCT to submit your Dues portion to the CSCT if your payment is received on time.
How do I pay CSCT Dues?
We now use E-transfer! A Fast, simple pay anywhere solution, using your smart phone! Open your banking app on your phone then select Interact E-Transfer, and add this email: ontsocietyofcardiologytechs@gmail.com to your payees list. Now input your dues amount ($125.00/ year). Next select your appropriate account. Then please add your OSCT and CSCT number in the message field (this helps us add your payment to the right person. Now you’re paid. Your bank statement provides you a digital receipt in your online banking record that it was received. (all dated and time stamped too!)
*Note our system will automatically receive the funds.
** IT IS UNNECESSARY TO FILL IN THE SECRET QUESTION FIELD.
What are CEU`s and how many do I need?
Continuing Education Units are collected and aid in members keeping in touch with the changing technologies occurring within our field. You need to collect 30 CEU`s during each triennium. (each 3 year period)
How and when do I submit my CEU`s?
You may scan your CEU`s and submit them to the CEU Director - ceu@osct.ca or you may submit them by mail whether you choose to all at once or as you collect them. Don't forget to download the CEU Submission form available on the OSCT website. CEU Submission form found here.
When do I receive my CEU certificate?
A certificate for completing the 30 CEU's is sent out to members at the end of each triennium. (3 year period)
I just wrote and passed the CSCT exam. Do I need to collect CEU`s?
No - Your hard work studying has paid off and counts as the 30 CEU`s during the current 3 year period in which you passed the CSCT exam.
OSCT does not have an office or phone number listed. How do I contact someone?
Please select the relevant Director(s) for your question from the "Contact Us" icon available on the OSCT website. As we are all unpaid volunteers, we will do our best to email you with a response as soon as possible.
Who makes up your Board of Directors?
Members of the Board of Directors are elected OSCT members whom are in good standing with the OSCT and CSCT and whom abide by the CSCT Code of Conduct. Elections are held twice a year, or as needed when a vacant position on the Board becomes available.
New FAQ's
Q: What is the difference between the CSCT and OSCT?
A: CSCT – Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists: The National Association which all provincial associations fall under; they administer the exam, set down CEU standards and dues
OSCT- Ontario Society of Cardiology Technologists: The Provincial branch administering to Ontario members; holds Provincial AGM each May; collects dues on behalf of the CSCT; administers and enforces CEUs; holds one position on the CSCT board and attends quarterly meetings.
Q: Why can’t members contact the board by phone? Why do emails take long to respond to?
A: All board members are volunteers with full-time jobs, families, and other commitments. We do not receive a salary to administer to OSCT business. Most often, we do our work late at night or on weekends as time permits. We do not have a central office nor a phone line for the same reasons. Some members suggested having a board member dedicated to communication with members, which is a great suggestion. To do that, we would need to remunerate that board member. This was done in the past, but it was underutilized and expensive. Once again, this cost would have to be reflected in the due’s members pay every year. For one employee at part time, it would cost each member an additional $25/year, full-time would cost an additional $50/yr. This is a matter we will discuss at a future AGM.
Q: How do we get CEUs during COVID with no in-person meetings?
A: There are a plethora of free online opportunities found here https://www.csct.ca/rct-education/education-links
The OSCT website and Facebook page has continued to post opportunities, most of them free.
Q: Can the OSCT do something to relieve the CEU requirements this year?
A: We have! The CSCT CEU Standards (2020) allow for only 8 online CEUS per year. Due to COVID, the OSCT has increased that limit to 10 for this year. As 30 CEUs are due each triennium (currently running 2020-2022) this puts our members in line to acquire 10 for this year, 1/3 of the requirements
Q: Why isn’t there a member’s area on the new OSCT website? How do we check our CEUs?
A: In order to create an adequately secured database, the cost was found to be prohibitive, and would have resulted in the OSCT increasing dues to help cover the cost. The CSCT database is routinely updated when CEUs and payments are submitted.
Q: Are we going to have a virtual AGM?
A: The OSCT is working diligently to organize an AGM. We have approached several speakers to provide content for education portion but have been largely unsuccessful thus far. We will update all members via our website once a decision and schedule has been made
Q: Which triennium are we currently in?
A: The current triennium (defined as a 3-year period) began January 01, 2020 and runs until December 31st 2022. 30 CEUs are required to be submitted by December 31st, 2020. In Ontario we do not require 10 CEUs to be submitted annually and CEUs can be submitted at any time during the triennium in any amount. For quicker processing, we highly recommend CEUs be scanned and emailed along with the submission form to ceu@osct.caas they are acquired.
Q: Why aren’t we regulated? When will that happen?
A: We have been asking this question for 25+ years. The Provincial government has been approached several times and the OSCT even hired a consultant in 2005 to help guide us through this process. We have learned that the process is long, laborious, and expensive. The OSCT board had a meeting in April 2019 with the CMRITO, who went through the same challenges to become regulated to get insider information about the process and advice on how to approach regulation once again. We learned that the process would require funds upwards of $2 million, in funds that the OSCT does not have, along with at least 2 full time and 2 part time paid staff members. Compared to other organizations (i.e. ONA, CMRITO etc.) we have a small membership. We have about 997 active members currently. If we aimed to approach the regulation application in 5 years, to raise the $2 million minimum, the OSCT would have to increase annual dues to $411 per member, per year. This is something to be discussed at a future AGM.
Job Postings
Looking to start in this exciting field? Start right here!
Are you an employer looking to hire one of our professionals? Need help filling a role that requires a O.S.C.T. professional? Contact us to post your opportunity here for our membership to see!
Title: RN (preferred) or Registered Cardiovascular Technologist
Opportunity: full time position
Posted: October 16th 2020
Description:
● Supervise, support and collaborate with members of stress testing department
● Provide ongoing staff education, training & maintain staff certifications
● Ensuring standards of care are being maintained and implementation of new modalities
● Maintain department records and equipment services required
● Report to Clinical Coordinator and Cardiologists as required
● Monitor, analyze and interpret ECGs
● Assess, and treat patient symptoms (ex: chest pain, BP changes)
● Performance of exercise, pharmacological and nuclear stress testing
● Completion of preliminary reports for Cardiologist interpretation
● IV insertion and IV medication administration
● Monitor supplies & replenish stock as needed
Location: Kawartha Cardiology Clinic 327 Charlotte Street Peterborough, ON K9J 0B2
Requirements:
● Current registration with the College of Nurses (CNO) in good standing is preferred or current registration with Canadian Society of Cardiovascular Technologists (CSCT)
● Strong communication skills, with the ability to inspire others and positively reinforce expectations.
● 2 -5 years recent cardiac experience with excellent knowledge of ECG interpretation and arrhythmia interpretation and excellent knowledge of cardiac medications and commonly associated co-morbidities
● Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills
● Experience in stress testing an asset
KCC offers competitive wages, a benefit program, and a pension program with matching employer contributions.
Please send a current CV to careers.kcc@gmail.com
Contact: Colleen Howson kcchowson@gmail.com
Our website: not provided
Phone: not provided
Salary: not provided
Title: Program Director
Opportunity: Part Time
Posted: June 24th 2020
Description: A unique opportunity is available for a Program Director for the Healthy Hearts Cardiac Rehabilitation program. This part time opportunity is responsible for the administration and management of a well-established cardiac rehabilitation program.
Reporting to the charity’s Board of Directors and supervising a part time staff, the Program Director works closely with the Medical Director in assessing and determining cardiac patient suitability and progress within the program. The Program Director will interact with participants, potential new members, physicians, medical professionals, organizations, media, and community service clubs.
The Program Director also shares leading exercise classes and monitors the participants as they use our fitness equipment and complete cardiac exercise routines.
Further duties include administrative functions, recordkeeping, supervision of staff, public relations, event organizing, monitoring emergency equipment resources, and maintaining the program according to the guidelines of cardiac rehabilitation standards established by the national associations.
The Program Director must also possess a working knowledge of cardiac medications, basic arrhythmia interpretation skills, and be able to multitask in a busy environment.
Location: Healthy Hearts Cardiac Rehabilitation, Goderich, Ontario
Requirements:
· Minimum 2 years of experience in a health care environment and case management experience preferred.
· Minimum 1 year of experience working in cardiac rehabilitation
· Current CPR/AED certificate
· Baccalaureate Degree in a Health Science Profession OR a Community College Diploma in Fitness and Lifestyle Management preferred
· All candidates are required to submit a Police record check
· Excellent interpersonal, time management and organizational skills
· Demonstrates appropriate and effective written, oral and non-verbal communication skills
· Demonstrates ability to work effectively independently as well as in a team
· Exercise initiative and good judgement with the ability to multi-task
· Must be able to perform the physical demands of the job
· Computer literacy
Competitive remuneration will be based on education and experience of the successful individual.
Contact: healthyhearts@hurontel.on.ca
Our website: https://healthyheartshuron.com/
Phone: (519) 524- 5411
Title: Registered CV Technologist
Opportunity: Full Time
Posted: February 26th 2020
Description: Our Established cardiology practice in Norfolk and Haldimand Counties in southern Ontario is seeking a registered CV Technologist to work in our Non invasive Lab. Please submit your CV to this email. anaas@ngh.on.ca
Location: not given
Requirements: not given