|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Call Cardiotech today
(281) 495-0078
|
|
|
|
|
Technologists who use ultrasound to examine the heart chambers, valves, and vessels are referred to as cardiac Sonographers, or Echocardiographers. They use ultrasound instrumentation to create images called echocardiograms. An echocardiogram may be performed while the patient is either resting or physically active. Cardiac sonographers may administer medication to physically active patients to assess their heart function. Cardiac sonographers also may assist physicians who perform transesophageal echocardiography, which involves placing a tube in the patient’s esophagus to obtain ultrasound images.
Program Objectives:
• The program prepares students for an entry level position in Echocardiography labs in various Cardiac non-invasive and X-ray departments at hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, or private physicians’ offices.
• Prepares participants with the necessary skills and techniques to obtain two-dimensional tomographic photos of the heart, measure blood flow velocities within the chambers of the heart with high frequency wavelength device.
• Use of ultrasound equipment to analyze the mechanical functions of the heart
• Teaching courses in pathophysiology, English composition, medico-legal issues, anatomy and physiology, mathematics pharmacology, ultrasound physics and instrumentation, echocardiography principles, echocardiography lab practicum and proficiency testing, advanced principles of cardiac evaluation, special projects in studies of cardiovascular technology, EKG I, cardiac pathology I, and cardiac pathology II, introduction to vascular ultrasound, vascular ultrasound lab practicum, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, echocardiography clinical I and echocardiography clinical II, employment skills, to ensure competency.
• To successfully complete the course, students must achieve a minimum of 2.0 (‘C) grade point or higher, attend more than 85 percent of course duration, and complete the course within 150 percent of the normal length of the program.
Program:
Semester Hours = 72.
Clock Hours = 1863.
Lectures = 716 Hours
Lab = 334 Hours
Clinical = 904
The program includes the courses listed below.
|
|
- Applied Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
- Medical Terminology
- Pathophysiology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Patient Care
- Echocardiography Principles
- Advanced Principles of Cardiac Evaluation
- Cardiac Pathology 1
- Cardiac Pathology 11
- Echocardiography Lab Practicum
- Vascular Ultrasound Lab
- Introduction To Vascular Ultrasound
- Medico Legal Issues
- Echocardiography Clinical 1
- Echocardiography Clinical 11
- EKG
- Mathematics
- Pharmacology
|
|
These studies provide a holistic approach into the field. Graduates of this program learn the skills necessary for entry level work in echocardiography labs in various cardiac non-invasive and xray departments at hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, or private physicians’ offices. A certificate of completion will be awarded to the graduates of this program.
This program is presented in the form of lectures, videotape, and slide presentations, and the use of analytical equipment. Completion of the Echocardiogram Technician program is approximately two years. Mandatory clinical rotation of 904 hours must be completed prior to graduation. The first clinical rotation is 32 hours,four days per week for twelve weeks. During the first clinical rotation the student must attend classroom lectures and labs one day per week. The second clinical rotation is full time 40 hours, five days per week for fourteen weeks. Students have no lectures or lab during the second rotation.
Candidates must have the emotional and physical health sufficient to meet the demands of the position. Strength must be sufficient to lift some patients, move heavy equipment on wheels (up to approximately 500 lbs), and to move patients in wheelchairs and stretchers. The candidate must also be able to maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning.
The following list for additional standards related to the demands of the Echocardiogram technician.
Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
Push and pull routinely
Bend and stoop routinely
Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders
Distinguish audible sounds
Adequately view echocardiograms
Adequately distinguish colors
Work standing or sitting
Interact compassionately the sick or injured
Assist patients on and off examining tables
Organize procedure in the proper sequence
Accurately perform the steps in a procedure
Accurately measure, calculate, & analyze data
Ability reason, and synthesize data
Operate within the scope of practice
Maintain professional conduct and appearance
Maintain client confidentiality
Make proper assessments, and sound judgements
|
|
|
|
School policy requires all students of this cardiac ultrasound program to write the CCI Cardiovascular Science exams prior to the start on clinical rotations. The current pass rate is 93% on first attempt and 98% on second attempt. Students are also encouraged to write the ARDMS SPI exam prior to clinical rotation. Graduates are encouraged to write the Non-Invasive Echo exam within 30 days of graduation, then write the ARDMS after securing the CCI registry. Registry certification is not mandatory, however in some instances registry qualifications may be a condition for employment.
Echocardiogram technicians are not required to have licensure in the state of Texas.
Class Schedule
Classes start three times a year, January, May, and September. Refer to school calendar for schedule. Day students will attend class Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Evening students will attend class Monday to Thursday 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Each classroom hour consists of fifty (50) minutes. Ten (10) minutes breaks are given at the end of each lecture or lab hour. Clinical site placement is provided by the school, and must be completed in its entirety. The school has contracts with many area hospitals. Most sites accommodate more than one area school therefore students must accept assigned sites to avoid delay in clinical rotations. Students must be prepared to travel up to 65 miles to the clinical sites. Students with access to clinical sites must inform the school in advance so that proper arrangements can be made with the site.
Program Length:
Although this program is academically 2.1 years,students attending the program in the daytime completes the program in approximately (62.1 weeks/18 months) including vacation. The maximum time allowed to complete this program is 93.15 weeks. The program begins in January, May, and September, annually. A limited enrollment is held to assure a good instructor to student ratio, and include both didactic and clinical training in a variety of environments. Students attend classroom lectures and labs for thirty (30) hours per week, for (31.9) weeks.
Students attend clinical training (4) days per week, a total of 32 clock hours. Classroom lectures and labs one day per week, for (12) weeks. During the second clinical rotation students must attend 5 days a week for a total of 40 clock hours for (16) weeks.
Mandatory completion of 904 externship hours is required to graduate from the program. Externship is scheduled during the daytime. Evening and weekend externship is not available.
Evening program is approximately 75.5 weeks/21 months. The maximum completion time is 113.2 weeks. Evening students attend classroom lectures and labs for (20) hours each week M-Th for (47.5) weeks.
Clinical rotation for evening students is the same as the daytime students.
Tuition = $4,050.00 per module
Registration Fee $100.00
professional Liability Insurance = $75
Total Cost: $16,135.0
Payment is in US currency
Payment plan is avaible with a 0% interest.
VA assisted program available to veterans.
If you are ready to start the admissions process, click here.
You may also set up an appointment at (281) 495-0078, or by sending an email to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
