Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography

Non-invasive Cardiovascular Sonography

MCC student assessing the function of the left ventricle of the heart.

Midwestern Career College’s 2-year Associate of Applied Science in Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography  is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the cardiovascular sonography field. 

Those looking to start or further their career in healthcare, specifically at an ultrasound center or at a hospital’s imaging department as an echo sonographer (technician), will excel in this program. 

What is Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography? 

Commonly known as an echo ultrasound, cardiovascular sonography is an imaging modality to assist in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. The sonographer is trained to perform cardiac ultrasound, cardiac stress testing, EKG and vascular ultrasound.

Program Objectives

• Provide the knowledge and skills required for students to succeed in an entry-level cardiovascular sonographer position. 
• Provide sufficient didactic and hands on lab education regarding Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonographer tasks in a cardiac lab, medical center, technology center or hospital. 
• Discuss clinical activities in which the student will apply critical thinking skills. 
• Provide understanding of patient care procedures in the cardiac field.
• Provide hands-on training to perform diagnostic tests like EKG/ECG and stress EKG.
• Provide understanding of performing Holter monitoring. 
• Prepare students to take and pass the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) examination. 
• Prepare students to perform effectively as skilled allied health professionals with skills needed to meet the demand for quality employees.

Curriculum

This program consists of two modules 

Certified Cardiology Technician (CCT): 

A comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for entry-level positions in the cardiac technology field in a medical center or a hospital cardiology department. Classroom instruction covers patient care, cardiac anatomy, physiology and pathology, EKG/ECG, Holter monitoring and stress testing. 

Non-Invasive Cardiovascular (Echo) Sonographer:  

Covers the noninvasive diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessels) disease. It is a multidisciplinary science requiring the technologist to be trained and educated to utilize ultrasound equipment to recognize, calculate, interpret and analyze data derived from the cardiac study. 

The Associate of Applied Science in Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography program curriculum follows the recommendations of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Cardiac-Interventional and Vascular-Interventional Curriculum Guide and the joint committee of the Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiological Sciences (AEIRS). It addresses the topics listed in the Cardiovascular Credentialing International outline for the follows the rules and regulations of the American College of Radiology (ACR). 

Externship

Students must complete a 450-hour externship. 

Certifications

This program provides eligibility to become Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). 

This program provides pathway to Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) certification exam eligibility through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) with the completion of additional 350 clinical hours not provided by MCC. 

This program provides eligibility for the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Examination through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). 

A graduate of MCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography program may qualify to sit for Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) certification through ARDMS if prior to admission into this program he or she has graduated from: 

• a two-year allied health educational program that is patient care related (prerequisite 1). Allied health occupations include, but are not limited to, diagnostic medical sonographer, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, and registered nurse; 
• or with a bachelor’s degree in any major (prerequisite 3A); 
• or after working for one year in the Ultrasound field from the date of graduation from MCC’s AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program (prerequisite 1); 
• or after earning Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) certification through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) (prerequisite 5). 

Per ARDMS General Prerequisites guide, “prerequisite requirements are subject to change at any time and from time to time. Applicants must meet current prerequisite requirements at the time of application.” For detailed prerequisite information students should refer to ARDMS.org. 

Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (B.L.S.), diagnostic imaging worker employment is projected to grow by 10% from 2022–2032. B.L.S. also has information on career outlook and salary expectations. Check out job listings in the Chicagoland area for cardiovascular sonographers on Indeed,  Career Builder, Monster and ZipRecruiter 

Disclosures

• Consumer Information
• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• The Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
• Tuition and Fees

More on cardiovascular sonography

• Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography
  • About the Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Sonography Career

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