What is cardiac sonography?

Cardiac sonography is more popularly known as echocardiography. It is also known by another more self-explanatory term cardiac ultrasound technology. Cardiac sonography is the technique of using an ultrasound equipment (echocardiogram) to study the anatomy and function of the heart. Cardiac sonography is the most widely used technique in the diagnosis of heart ailments.

Cardiac sonographer

Cardiac sonographers are medical sonographers specialized in using echocardiogram. Similar to how medical sonographers would use ultrasound to view a fetus, cardiac sonographers use ultrasound to examine and evaluate the heart. Typically cardiac sonography gives an idea of heart chamber sizes, arrangement of the parts of the heart, functioning of the valves and muscles and blood flow. Cardiac sonographers are not expected to make diagnoses, but they report their findings to the cardiologist for further analysis and diagnosis.

Cardiac sonographers find employment in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and physicians’ offices with the former accounting for over 80% of all jobs. Categorized with other allied health occupations, the job traditionally required an associate’s degree in echocardiography (or cardiac sonography) and passing a national accreditation examination. With the role of the cardiac sonographer becoming more important, and field getting more advanced and complicated, some employers are preferring a bachelor’s degree as the education requirement for cardiac sonographers. Needless to say, the level of education is a major fact that determines cardiac sonographer salary.

Most schools in the United States, that offer cardiac sonography training have different programs available to students. The basic certificate level program can be completed in about twelve (12) months allowing the candidate to make a relatively quick entrance into their chosen career. Most commonly, the preferred education for those pursuing the cardiac sonographer profession is the two-year associate’s degree. Some students may choose to pursue a full four-year degree in order to allow them to work at more advanced levels. Cardiac sonographers with four-year degrees earn the highest salary in this profession.

Cardiac Sonographer Salary

Let’s now look at the wages of cardiac sonographers. The Bureau of Labor Statististcs (BLS) classifies cardiac sonographers as cardiovascular technologists. While this is a broad term that subsumes several specialities in the field of cardiovascular diagnosis and management, the wages are similar. The following table gives the trend in salary of cardiovascular sonographers from 1999 to 2010 as per the BLS.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Factors determining salary

It is held that cardiac sonographer salaries will remain firm for the next ten years at least due to a variety of market factors that cause an increase in their demand. These include a lower availability of primary physicians, increasing incidence of heart ailments in the population and higher awareness about heart diseases and the need for regular check-up. Given all these, what are the other factors that determine an individual cardiac sonographer’s salary? We have already discussed the first and most important factor, which is, the educational qualification. The second factor is the experience. As you log in more years of professional work, your salary too goes up proportionately. It is seen that the cardiac sonographer salary doubles in about eight years. It is also seen that hospitals pay comparatively less than doctor’s offices and diagnostic laboratories. So the place of work is another fact that determines the salary of cardiac sonographers.

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Cardiovascular technologists

Cardiovascular technologists are a group of allied health professionals who assist physicians in the diagnosis, monitoring and management of cardiac diseases. Depending on their training and area of specialization, they may be echocardiographers, electrocardiographers or EKG technicians, vascular technologists or cardiology technologists. See our article “Cardiovascular Technologist Schools” to get a better idea of these different titles that come under cardiovascular technology.

With a progressively higher incidence of heart ailments on the rise and a squeeze on healthcare spending, cardiovascular technology jobs are increasing. There is consensus that the demand for cardiovascular technologists except electrocardiographers will grow at a rate higher than the average for all occupations over the next eight to ten years.

How has the cardiovascular technologist salary trended over the last few years?

We now look at the trend in the salary of cardiovascular technologists over the period 1999-2010. These have been taken from the website of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The table shows the trend in numbers of employed cardiovascular technologists and their average wages. As can be seen their number increased from 41,490 in 1999 to 48,720 in 2010. In the same period, their mean annual salary increased over 50% from $33,280 to $50,720. Similar increase is seen in the mean hourly wage too. As of 2010, the average mean hourly wage of cardiovascular technologists stood at $24.38 while the median wage was $23.75. For individual cardiovascular technologists, the factors that determine their wages are:

a. Education

There are primarily three levels of post-secondary training available in various cardiovascular technology disciplines. The one-year certificate programs are the shortest and the four-year bachelor’s programs are the longest. Those with higher qualifications naturally command a higher salary.

b. Experience

The next factor that determines a cardiovascular technologist’ salary is their years of experience. It is estimated that the average salary doubles for every six to eight years of experience.

c. Certification and skill level

At present, certification or licensing for cardiovascular technologists is voluntary, but it is expected that the profession will soon be regulated by state licensing. Many certifying bodies for cardiovascular technicians exist. The prominent ones are the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). There are more than a dozen different credentials available for cardiovascular technologists. Credentialing requirements for cardiology technologists usually includes a test and formal academic qualifications and professional work experience. Certification is regarded as a sign of proficiency and dedication to the field and employers encourage this by paying higher wages.

Expected trend

It is widely held that the cutting edge field of cardiovascular technology will continue to grow at an impressive pace. As such, average cardiovascular technologist salary too is expected to grow by around 10% annually for the next eight to ten years. This must be good news for aspiring cardiovascular technologists.

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Cardiovascular technology explained

The term “cardiovascular technologists” is used to refer to a range of specialists who assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. (“cardio” is a synonym of heart; “vascular” refers to the circulatory system). Depending on their training and specialization, cardiovascular technologists perform specific duties. While most of them work in the cardiovascular service department of a hospital, they also find employment in clinics, mobile medical squads or private physician’s offices. Interestingly there is no standardized nomenclature for the various roles performed by this category of technologists and so the titles vary between hospitals. For instance, electrocardiograph technicians are also known as EKG technicians and electrocardigraphers; echocardiographers are also known as diagnostic sonographers. While the titles may vary, we can still categorize them based on the nature of their jobs.

Electrocardiography technologists or EKG technologists use an electrocardiograph to detect electric impulses produced in a patient’s heart and to make an image called electrocardiogram. This image can tell the physician about the working of the heart and its condition.

Holter monitoring and stress testing are two cardiac monitoring procedures performed either by EKG technologists as an additional duty or specialized Holter monitor technologists and stress test technologists.

Cardiology technologists specialize in assisting doctors in cardiac catheterization procedures. A typical cardiac catheterization procedure is the angiogram wherein a tube is inserted into the heart to see if there is a blockage in the heart blood vessels. Cardiac catheterization procedures are invasive by nature. Cardiovascular technologist schools offer this as a specialized training.

Vascular technology and echocardiography are non-invasive cardiovascular procedures. These aer performed by vascular technologists and echocardiographers. Again, specialized training programs exist for vascular technology and echocardiography. These are among the more common training programs offered by cardiovascular technologist schools.

Then there are cardiac monitor technicians who perform some of the same duties as electrocardiographers. They usually work in the intensive care unit or cardio care unit of the hospital, these technicians monitor the patients’ heart performance by constantly monitoring the electrocardiogram screen.

Cardiovascular Technologist Schools

Some vocational, technical and community colleges have one or two year programs in electrocardiography (EKG technology), Holter monitoring, stress testing or all three. While a one-year program leads to a certificate, a two-year program leads to associate’s degree. Those looking for accredited programs in echocardiography can check the American Medical Association’s Allied Health Directory. Cardiac monitor technicians and echocardiographers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent plus a one or two-year training.

Echocardiography technologists typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and one (certificate), two (associate’s), or four years (bachelor’s) of post-secondary schooling in a career or community college. While training programs are available in vascular technology, vascular technologists also have the option of getting trained on the job.

Cardiology technologists are seen to have the highest academic requirements of all allied health professions. A four-year bachelor’s degree or at least a two-year associate’s degree is often a minimum requirement for employment for a cardiology technologist.

A list of accredited cardiovascular technologist schools can be found in the AMA’s Allied Health Directory. Also, a directory of accredited training programs in sonography is published by the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Another option to locate cardiovascular technologist schools near you is to use our database which has the most updated list of all allied health schools. For this, you can use the search-box on this page. You also have the option of requesting individual schools to contact you with additional information, should you so desire.

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Echocardiography and echocardiographers

Echocardiography is the study of structure and motion of the heart using ultrasound technology. In this non-invasive procedure, an ultrasound equipment is used to send sound waves to the heart. When the sound waves hit the heart, it sends echoes to the ultrasound machine. The machine creates an image based on these echoes on the monitor, to give an instant idea of the body part (in this case, heart) and its condition. Thus, an echocardiographer is a specialist who uses ultrasound equipment to evaluate the heart and its components, such as the valves. Today, electrocardiographs find wide application in routine examinations, pre-surgical physicals, diagnosing heart diseases ad well as in monitoring and studying the effects of prescribed therapy.

Echocardiographers form part of a larger group of technologists called cardiovascular technologists who assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. The team may comprise EKG technicians, X-ray technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, nurses specialized in cardiac care, physicians assistants, respiratory technicians and respiratory therapists. Trained echocardiographers form a vital component of the cardiac care unit of a hospital. Echocardiographers are also known as cardiac sonographers in the United States.

Training in echocardiography

Before looking at schools for echocardiography, let’s find out what are the training options available in echocardiography, what they involve and what are their entry requirements.

The typical route to a career as an echocardiographer is to enroll in an echocardiography school and receive an associate’s degree accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). However, shorter duration certificate programs in cardiac sonography are also available.

The Associate of Applied Science in Cardiac Sonography is a twi-year program that prepares students for entry level jobs as echocardiographers. The program covers courses in cardiovascular physiology, echo analysis and echocardiography instrumentation. Additionally, some general education courses are also offered as part of AAS programs. For entry to such a program, the minimum education requirement is a high school diploma.

A certificate program in echocardiography is a good option for students who are short of time or resources to complete a full-time degree program. Courses covered in such programs typically include ultrasound physics, cardiac anatomy and various types of heart diseases. Certificate programs usually can be completed in a year and they do not include general education courses. For entry, these programs too require a high school diploma or its equivalent.

For a more detailed account of echocardiography training, see our post “What is involved in echocardiography training“.

Schools for echocardiography

At an echocardiography school, you will study human physiology, anatomy, physics with particular reference to ultrasound, the cardiovascular system, echocardiography procedures and the best practices. The training also covers basic communication and management of patients. If you love to work in the health care industry, echocardiography schools are an ideal option.

We have the largest database of schools offering echocardiography all across the United States. Hundreds of students have used it to locate their schools and make rewarding careers in the profession. If you are looking to locate schools for echocardiography anywhere in the United States, use the search box given on this page. You also have the option of getting the schools contact you with all the required information by filling out your contact details.

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Introduction

The EKG device detects and amplifies the minute electrical changes on the skin which happen when the heart muscle depolarizes during each heartbeat Electrocardiographers (EKG Technicians) are an integral part of cardiac diagnosis and monitoring. As a non-invasive technique it finds wide applications in the detection of various forms of heart disorders. An EKG technician is trained in the use of the electrocardiograph and interpret the test results. With a steady increase in the incidence of cardiac disorders in the population, the non-invasive diagnostic technique of electrocardiography is being increasingly used in their diagnosis, monitoring and management.

Job prospects

Cardiac diseases have become one of the most common health issues in the United States. Electrocardiography can substitute expensive invasive procedures in the detection, monitoring and management of heart disorders to a large extent. Thus, the need for EKG technicians is already well-established and the demand for their services likely to stay in the long-term according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

It is expected that hospitals will remain the principal employers of EKG technicians. Additional growth in demand will come from physicians’ offices, clinics and diagnostic imaging centers.

Those looking for a career in the healthcare field can therefore seriously consider echocardiography as an option. Training facilities in electrocardiography are widely available in most states and prospective students should be easily able to find a good school in most locations. Many hospitals also offer on-the-job training to EKG technicians.

EKG Technician Salary

Consistent with the growth in demand for EKG technicians, there has been a steady growth in their wages. From May 2003 through May 2010, there has been a 28% increase in the wages of EKG salary. During the same period the number of employed EKG technicians registered an increase of 42.3%. The following table gives the the number of employed EKG technicians (excluding self-employed ones) and the trend in EKG technician salary during this period as published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Electrocardiographer salary trend

Available figures thus point to a bright future for the profession of electrocardiography. For additional information on this occupation, you may visit the official site of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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What is pediatric echocardiography?

Pediatric echocardiography is nothing but the practice and application of echocardiography in pediatric patients. As a noninvasive technique echocardiography is preferred by cardiologists in children suspected to have heart defects. While cardiac disorders among adults present themselves in a variety of ways, most of them developed at different stages of their life, among children they are often congenital in nature and need sensitive handling. This makes a strong case for specialized pediatric echocardiographers.

Pediatric echocardiography schools

It is estimated that about 3 to 4% of all echocardiographers practise pediatric echocardiography. It is not certain if all of them are certified as specialist pediatric echocardiographers. To earn a certification in pediatric echocardiography from ARDMS you must have at least completed a certificate program in echocardiography and have an existing American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) registration. A pass in the examination conducted by ARDMS will make you a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer specialized in pediatric echocardiography.

Training programs specific to pediatric echocardiography are rare. For qualified echocardiographers, Harper College, Palatine, IL offers a 8.5 credit-hour pediatric certificate echo program to expand their skills in pediatric cardiac sonography. Upon completion of this program, the students will be able to identify the common forms of congenital heart diseases on a pediatric echocardiogram as well as perform diagnostic echo procedures on children. Graduates of the program are encouraged to get ARDMS registration by appearing for the examination.

Pediatric echocardiography earnings

Employment opportunities for pediatric echographers are slightly better than adult echocardiographers and are expected to increase over the next ten years. It is seen that most candidates who write the ARDMS examination for pediatric echocardiographer certification are already employed in adult echocardiography and go for the certication to improve their career prospects. Earnings of pediatric echocardiographers are not substantially higher than that of adult echocardiographers but this is bound to change for the better over time. With more experience and training, you will become more competitive in the industry and your employment value will increase. There exist several pediatric echo jobs all over the country.

Society of Pediatric Echocardiographers (SOPE)

Formed in 1975, The Society of Pediatric Echocardiography (SOPE) seeks to provide a platform for professional interaction and collaboration among pediatric cardiologists, fellows, and sonographers (echocardiographers) with a specific interest in the practice of echocardiography. The Society has played a crucial role in advancing the practice and application of echocardiography in pediatrics. It has also created guidelines for training in pediatric and fetal echocardiography for physicians and sonographers. SOPE allows pediatric echoacardiographers interact with fellow professionals and share their knowledge.

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Ecocardiographer

There are two degree programs available to students who wish to pursue a career in echocardiography. An Associate of Applied Science in Echocardiography and a Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences with specialization in echocardiography. Each program introduces the science of sonographic imaging and medical applications of an electrocardiograph (EKG) machine.

Associate of Applied Science in Echocardiography

As mentioned, echocardiography is a discipline that utilizes electrocardiograph machines and sonographic imaging to assess the overall heart health of a patient. Electro cardiographers work closely with cardiologists and vascular surgeons in various health care settings. While enrolled in an associate’s degree program, a student will receive basic training in how to properly administer an electrocardiograph exam.

Coursework covers the positioning of electrodes on the patient’s body as well as interpretation of an EKG reading. Students also learn about ultrasound technology, which is used by electro cardiographers to take images of a patient’s heart. Sonographic images are helpful in assessing heart damage, heart disease and pumping capacity. Instruction is also provided on conducting a general sonographic image examination of a patient.

Some AAS in Echocardiography degree programs require an initial year of general study. This first year is devoted to completion of general education courses; the second and third years of enrollment focus on courses in echocardiography. Some possible classes include:

• Elementary physics
• Concepts of cardiovascular examination
• Adult echocardiography
• Ultrasound physics
• Pathology and echocardiographic evaluation
• Doppler physics
• Applications of vascular technology
• Anatomy and physiology

Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences

The discipline of imaging sciences encompasses many different fields, such as diagnostic medical sonography, radiographic science and echocardiography. Students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in imaging sciences take echocardiography as a specialized area of study. Training is provided on how to properly conduct an electrocardiograph exam as well as sonographic imaging of the heart and related blood vessels. Students learn how to combine these two procedures to assess the overall heart health of a patient. Anomalies in EKG printouts and sonographic images are covered as well as advanced echo technology methods, such as the use of a holter monitor and stress testing.

Freshman applicants must meet the minimum education requirements for high school subject areas. In addition, scores must be submitted for either the SAT or ACT exam. Some universities may request letters of recommendation, an interview and a professional writing sample. Many applicants transfer from 2-year programs and have the proper educational requirements needed to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program.

Classes cover all aspects of echocardiography. Some courses also require completion of a laboratory component, through which students gain hands-on experience. Possible classes include:

• Echocardiography instrument quality assurance
• Physics of echocardiography
• Patient care techniques
• Congenital heart disease echo evaluation
• Neonatal care skills
• Doppler echocardiography
• 2-D echocardiograms
• Intensive care echocardiography

Online echocardiography programs

Online echocardiography education programs integrate accepted principles of the subject with cutting edge technology to develop quality leadership in their students through accredited programs of study. For those of you interested in pursuing echocardiography education online, there are several schools available.

Finding the right school

Echocardiographyschools.net has been founded with the mission of giving authentic information about echocardiography training. We have a comprehensive database of schools offering both online and campus programs in echocardiography.
You can use the search boxes on this page to find all schools offering echocardiography programs in your chosen location and request free, instant information from any schools you may want to consider.

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The job outlook should be favorable for those in the field of ultrasound and sonography technologies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, (www.bls.gov), more than half of all echocardiographers were employed by hospitals, and most of the rest worked in offices of physicians or in medical and diagnostic laboratories.

Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Sonography

Bachelor’s degree programs in diagnostic (medical) sonography cover the technology and methodology used in noninvasive medical diagnostics. Students learn to use ultrasound and echocardiography equipment to generate images showing the interior of patients’ bodies to check for diseases. Programs teach students to identify various ailments that can appear on echocardiography and sonography images. Most diagnostic sonography programs provide students with the opportunity to use echocardiography technology firsthand.

Education prerequisites

Applicants to a diagnostic sonography degree program need to have strong skills in physical sciences and mathematics. Taking any available high school classes in mechanics helps students learn to operate ultrasound equipment similar to that used in diagnostic sonography programs.

Program coursework

Students learn to create internal pictures of medical patients by using ultrasound and sonographic imaging equipment. Students also learn to analyze the images, looking for signs and symptoms of various diseases. Echocardiography courses lay emphasis on imaging methods and cardiovascular diagnostics. Courses in the following subjects are usually offered:

• Sonography physics
• Vascular technology
• Abdominal sonography
• Echocardiography technology
• Comparative imaging
• Sonography ethics
• High-resolution imaging
• Pelvic imaging

Employment outlook and salary information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a job growth of 18% for all types of cardiovascular technicians between 2008 and 2018. Payscale.com, in June 2010, reported that half of all echocardiographers with less than a year of experience earned between $30,521 and $50,868.

Certification and continuing education information

While certification isn’t required by law, many diagnostic medical sonographers earn credentials through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). These organizations recognize people who’ve graduated from an accredited program and passed an exam. Credentials are available for several sonographic specialties, such as cardiovascular or abdominal imaging.

Taking a echocardiography course is likely an astute move for an aspiring healthcare worker as it is identified as a rapidly expanding area. Lifestyle changes and the aging baby boomer generation have brought about a considerable increase in cardiac patients and this trend is projected to stay for at least a few years. A corresponding expansion of the professions specializing in this field is therefore logical. Those with the right credentials and a commitment to keeping their skills and knowledge updated through echocardiography continuing education will be well positioned for a highly successful career.

Echocardiographyschools.net has the largest database of schools offering echocardiography programs of different levels. We have helped hundreds of candidates find their right school and go on to be succcessful echocardiographers. Find all schools offering echocardiography courses (classified as Medical Sonography and Cardiovascular Tech) in your area now and request free information from all schools you may want to consider.

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Introduction

Echocardiography is an important diagnostic and monitoring tool in the management of cardiac patients especially critically ill ones. Its several advantages, including its non-invasive nature, have led to a steady growth in its use. Most echocardiographers either receive a one-year training that leads to a certificate or a two-year training that gives them an associate degree. However, four-year programs are also becoming increasingly available. A few also receive on-the-job training in a hospital or diagnostic laboratory. This article discusses echocardiography training in a formal setting.

Echocardiography training programs

Cardiovascular technology training programs are accredited by the The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals (CAAHEP). As of January 2009, there were 34 accredited programs. Similarly, to study echocardiography or vascular sonography one may also attend the CAAHEP-accredited programs in diagnostic medical sonography of which there were 168 in January 2009. Those who successfully complete these accredited training programs are eligible to obtain professional certification from the Commission. If you are short of funds or time to complete an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in Cardiac Sonography or Echocardiography, the certificate programs can as well land you a job as an echocardiographer, but the starting salary will be low in such cases.

However you stand a better chance of getting a job as an echocardiographer with better pay, if you have an associate degree. This is the qualification that a lot of employers look for when recruiting echocardiographers. There are also several schools that offer online training in the subject. While most of the lessons can be learned online, you will still be required to complete at least a year of practical training and clinical experience to complete an online course.

Components of training

There are three essential components to any basic echocardiography training- independent work, supervised activities, and assessment programs. Through a structured independent reading and study program, students must gain a good understanding of the theory and principles of ultrasound and indications for perioperative echocardiography. This independent work is augmented by regularly scheduled lectures and seminars designed to emphasize the more important aspects of perioperative echocardiography. Then under appropriate supervision, the trainees learn to place the TEE probe, operate the ultrasonograph, and perform a TEE examination. Subsequently, they are asked to perform clinical work with progressively more independence. A practitioner with advanced training reviews every work performed by the trainee with him or her.

Alternative option

If you are a graduate of any two year allied health program from an accredited school, you have the option of receiving echocardiography training from certain well known medical institutions. The echocardiography training programs that these institutions have are often full-time, hands-on courses that take you a little over a year to finish. These programs will include academic components as well as clinical training that together will teach you the principles, technology and instrumentation of echocardiography.

To get admission to these shorter period echocardiography courses, you will need to meet some requirements. Some of the courses you need to have completed before applying for a training course like this include college algebra, college physics, human anatomy and physiology and medical terminology, to name but a few.

What is involved in echocardiography training? is a post from: Echocardiography Schools

Introduction

An echocardiography technician is a cardiovascular technician who specializes in noninvasive technology. Echocardiography technicians are also referred to as cardiac sonographers or echocardiographers and they use ultrasound to examine the heart chambers, valves, and vessels.

Cardiovascular technicians assist doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases and their monitoring. A cardiovascular technician’s responsibilities may include performing ultrasound procedures, monitoring of patients’ heart rates, cardiovascular procedures, review of patient files, explanations of test procedures to the patient, and operation and care of testing equipment. Cardiovascular technicians may specialize in broadly three areas: invasive cardiology, echocardiography or vascular technology.

Specialists in invasive cardiology are trained to assist doctors with cardiac procedures such as heart catheterizations and angioplasty which are invasive in nature. Non-invasive procedures which do not require the insertion of probes or other instruments into the patient’s body are usually performed by those specialized in echocardiography. Some common examples of this type are ultrasound or echocardiograms (Echoss), electrocardiograms (EKGs), and stress tests. Specialists in vascular technology assist physicians in the study of blood flow and the diagnosis of disorders in circulation.

Echocardiography technicians typically need to obtain a two-year or four-year degree in echocardiography. Education can be obtained from junior/community colleges, technical schools, and colleges and universities. Aspiring echocardiographers have 31 programs in cardiovascular technology and 147 programs of diagnostic medical sonography to choose from for their training.

Echocardiography Technician Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2008, the expected growth rate for cardiovascular technicians was 24 percent by 2018. This is only natural considering the steady increase in cardiovascular diseases in the population. Sonographers should experience favorable job opportunities since sonography becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional radiological procedures. For more information on the field, try the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers’ website at www.sdms.org.

The majority of ECG techs work in hospitals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov. Others who employ them are doctor’s offices, medical labs, and imaging centers. The average starting salary of an echocardiographer is around $28,000.

Echocardiography training

Bachelors degree programs in sonography cover the technology and methodology used in noninvasive medical diagnostics. Students learn to use ultrasound and echocardiography equipment to generate images showing the interior of patients’ bodies to check for diseases. Students are taught to identify various ailments that can appear on echocardiography and sonography images. Most programs provide students hands-on experience in echocardiography.

Although some cardiovascular techs (most notably those who focus on administering EKGs) tend to be trained on the job, most receive training in one to four year programs. Two-year programs offered by junior or community colleges are the most popular, although four-year programs are becoming increasingly available. Note that those who specialize in ultrasound and vascular study will need at least a two year program. Those specializing in invasive cardiology procedures will need the two or four year program, since this specialty is more complex. And echocardiographers who undergo on-the-job training usually take about 8 to 16 weeks to complete their training.

Echocardiographer license

Some states now require cardiovascular technicians to be licensed. The requirements for licensure may include a combination of education and experience. The State Medical Boards set out these requirements and those needing the requirements of a particular state should contact the Board concerned. The two principal organizations which offer certifications in this field are the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Regardless of whether a state requires license or not, certification is always a good idea because many employers prefer to hire those with certification.

How to Become an Echocardiography Technician? is a post from: Echocardiography Schools

Echocardiography was one of the earliest adaptations of ultrasound technology in medical diagnostics. An echocardiographer is an expert in echocardiography who uses the technique to take two-dimensional images of heart slices. These technicians typically get their education through two-year associate degree programs in medical sonography or cardiovascular technology. There is also the option of receiving on-the-job training the ultrasound department of a hospital or laboratory.

Adults who are interested in medicine or health may want to consider working in the field of cardiovascular technologies. With a rapid increase in cardiovascular diseases, these techniques increasingly come to the aid of doctors in their effort to treat the ailments.

Prospects of echocardiographers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ( www.bls.gov), cardiovascular technlogists and technicians should experience favorable job opportunities since sonography becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional radiological procedures. For further information on the field, try the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers’ website at www.sdms.org.

An echocardiogram

Specializing in echocardiography requires re-certification throughout your career to be sure you are updated on all the most latest technologies and practices. You must have an initial certification that was granted within ten years of your application for re-certification, and you must still have a valid medical license to apply. You will only be able to pass the tests for re-certification if you have maintained your skills and education and demonstrated that you are eligible. It is a tough field to go into and with such huge responsibilities, it is important to be sure you’re ready for this career and all its challenges. The payoffs can be good too as evidenced by the average starting salary of around $28,000 that typically goes up 10% every year.

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Echocardiology (also known as cardiac sonography), in plain terms, involves getting and interpreting ultrasonic images of the heart. The recorded image is what you call an echocardiogram (referred to in the medical community as a cardiac echo) and echocardiographers (cardic sonographers) obtain this image and present it to the doctor who ordered the test. Echocardiography (EKG) as a diagnostic tool is categorized under cardiovascular ultrasound technology, as it uses standard ultrasound techniques to image two-dimensional sections of the heart.

Apart from creating 2-D pictures of the cardiovascular system, an echocardiogram can also produce accurate assessment of the velocity of blood flow and the structure of cardiac tissue using pulsed or continuous wave Doppler ultrasound. Other parameters that can be measured include cardiac dimensions and E/A ratio (the ratio between early (diastolic- E) and late (atrial- A) ventricular filling velocity).

Echocardiography is one of the most widely employed tests for diagnosing heart disease. An echocardiogram can provide a wealth of useful information such as the size and shape of the heart, its pumping capacity and the location and extent of any damage to the heart tissues. Echocardiography is especially useful in assessing problems with the heart valves. It assesses the motion of the heart wall and thus helps detect the presence and assess the severity of any wall ischemia. It also helps determine if any chest pain or related symptoms are caused by heart disease.. Echocardiography can also help detect various forms of cardiomyopathy. The biggest advantage of echocardiography is that it is a noninvasive technique and has no known side effects.

Career in echocardiology

With the incidence of heart diseases on the rise even among younger people, the overall employment of cardiovascular technologists as a whole should grow much faster than the average through 2014 according to the US Department of Labor. However, the labor department projects employment opportunities for echocardiographers to decline during this period as hospitals train other people to perform basic EKG procedures. This means opportunities for other occupations in cardiovascular technology will see an increase.

Those wanting to opt for a career in echocardiology (echocardiography) have a lot of opportunities to receive formal training in the subject. While they also can get on-the-job training in the ultrasound department of a hospital or laboratory, this practice is becoming less and less common. Besides, formal academic programs give technologists more preparation in the subject than does on-the-job training. Programs in echocardiology are typically of one or two years in duration- the former leading to a certificate and the latter to an associate’s degree. Although no state requires licensure in echocardiology, agencies such as the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) attest to the competency of echocardiographers through registration.

Echocardiology schools

Prospective echocardiographers can receive training from 31 programs in cardiovascular technology and 147 programs of medical sonography accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Professionals (CAAHEP). Typical echocardiology schools offer these subjects in addition to echocardiography, as part of their course:

-Introduction to healthcare professions
-Principles of cardiovascular technology
-The human heart and its anatomy and physiology
-Electrocardiography
-Pathology of the heart
-Pharmacology
-Conceptual physics
-Medical ethics

Hands-on practice and intensive clinical work are also part of an accredited echocardiography program. While some schools have a cardiac sonography internship as part of the course, others organize speciality internships after graduation. The echocardiology programs accredited by the CAAHEP can be found by searching the organization’s site here.. Alternatively you can use the search box on this page to find cardiovascular techonology and medical sonography schools near your location.

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