Academic Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography

The use of cardiovascular sonography has become essential in the realm of preventative medicine, allowing medical providers to assess the health of that all-important organ: our heart. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease contributed to over 800,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2017. In Smith Chason College’s WCUI School of Medical Imaging Academic Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Sonography program, you can gain the skills and knowledge you need to pursue an in-demand career as a cardiovascular sonographer.

WHAT IS DIAGNOSTIC CARDIOVASCULAR SONOGRAPHY?

Diagnostic sonography utilizes ultrasound machines and imaging equipment, which use high-frequency sound waves to produce images of patient’s internal organs and tissues. It’s a key way for doctors and physicians to diagnose what’s going on inside a patient’s body without having to resort to invasive and risky exploratory surgical procedures. Cardiovascular sonography — also called echocardiography — is a specialized area of this field, focusing on using ultrasound technology to take pictures of the heart muscles, heart valves, and blood flow. This can often result in the detection of complications, diseases, and cardiac abnormalities, allowing for more accurate diagnoses that could save lives. Some cardiac sonographers even work to identify congenital anomalies during pregnancy.

WHAT DOES AN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHER DO?

As an echocardiographer or cardiac sonographer, you’re trained to perform a wide range of tasks, depending on where you work and the kinds of patients you interact with. You’ll do things like:

• Record the medical histories and information in patients’ medical charts
• Answer any questions or concerns they have about the ultrasound
• Prepare them and the equipment for the procedure
• Clean and maintain your imaging equipment to ensure it’s working properly
• Take ultrasounds and review the images to make sure you cover the whole area requested
• Make note of any abnormalities you observe in the images and record those findings in patient records
• Work with physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals to aid in diagnosis and treatment

HOW DO I BECOME AN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHER?

The path to becoming a cardiac sonographer starts with formal education through an accredited degree program, like the Cardiovascular Sonography associate degree program at WCUI. We ready you for an entry-level career in the echocardiography field, as well as helping you prepare for the necessary registries or certification exams you need in order to qualify for employment. Ideally, a cardiovascular sonography program will utilize hands-on education, informed by real medical professionals who have experience in the field.

Cardiovascular sonographers should also:

• Be detail-oriented — Ultrasounds must be precise and the differences between healthy and unhealth may be subtle, so having a strong eye for details will be a big advantage.
• Be calm and professional — Sonographers work closely with patients, and many times these are people dealing with a lot of worry and stress, which means a calm bedside manner is vital.
• Have good hand-eye coordination — Taking ultrasounds involves moving pieces of equipment right where they need to go, all while keeping an eye on what’s happening on a screen.
• Possess strong technical skills — Digital medical imaging equipment can be complex, so sonographers must feel comfortable with computers.

See our Pathways to Registry for Associate Cardiovascular Sonographers to see the registry exams* you’re eligible to take and which exam fees are included in the program cost.

• Cardiac Credentialing International – cci-online.org
• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography – ARDMS.org

* These registries are independent organizations and the prerequisites for eligibility can change at any time without WCUI’s knowledge or consent. This document is meant to be a guide only and all students should review the registry’s website for the most up-to-date information.

WHAT CERTIFICATIONS DO ECHOCARDIOGRAPHERS NEED?

Cardiovascular sonographers need to be registered and certified by the appropriate organizations in order to step into the workplace. WCUI strongly recommends obtaining certifications to provide you with the best knowledge and opportunities when entering the sonography field. WCUI provides registry reviews and assistance with the registry exam process. See our Pathways to Registry for information on which exam fees are included in the WCUI program cost.

• SPI: Physics through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• RDCS: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• ARDMS (AE) Adult Echo: through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• ARDMS (PE) Pediatric Echo: through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• RVT: Registered Vascular Technologist through the ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
• CCT: through National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
• RCS: through CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International)
• ARRT (S): through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN A CARDIOVASCULAR SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM?

The associate degree program in cardiovascular sonography at WCUI features an up-to-date curriculum that combines online and in-person education, including hands-on experience in our lab settings and placement in a qualified externship. In our Diagnostic Cardiovascular Sonography program, you’ll cover topics like:

• Vascular sonography
• Diseases of the heart
• Preventive and screening protocols
• Electrocardiography (EKG)
• Problem-solving techniques in the basic concepts and principles of physical science
• Entry-level clinical knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the care of patients undergoing cardiac ultrasound procedures
• Ethics and professionalism

Our mission and values at WCUI are about promoting the academic excellence and integrity of our graduates in a way that is supportive and contributes positively to our students’ lives. We are here for you, to get you the healthcare education you need for success.