Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)

The first test is known as the standard echocardiogram. It uses the same type of instrument as that used in a fetal ultrasound, the handheld transducer. The echo tech will first tape electrodes to the patient’s arms, legs and chest to record his or her heart rate during the test. Then the tech will place colorless gel on the chest, where the transducer will be placed. The transducer transmits high frequency sound waves (aka ultrasound), which bounce off the heart structures. The sound waves produce images and sounds that the physician can use to detect heart damage and disease.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

The transesophageal test differs from the TTE in the way the transducer is used. In the TEE, the echo tech will use a much

Results from a transesophageal echocardiogram.

smaller transducer that is hooked to an endoscope, a tube that is inserted down the throat into the esophagus (the tube you swallow with). This procedure is performed with anesthesia to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

Since the esophagus is located very close to the heart, the TEE provides clear images of the heart structures free of chest and lung interference. It is often combined with Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler techniques to evaluate blood flow across the heart’s valves.

Stress Echocardiogram

This is an echo performed while the patient exercises on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. It is used to examine the heart’s walls and pumping action when the heart is under stress. For a more in-depth explanation of the stress echo, check out our stress echocardiography page.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram

Dobutamine replaces exercise in a dobutamine stress echocardiogram to stimulate the heart to see how it reacts under stress.

The dobutamine echo follows the same logic as the stress echo, but if the patient is unable to access a treadmill or stationary bicycle, the physician will administer dobutamine. Dobutamine is a drug that stimulates the heart, making it “think” that it is exercising. This test evaluates how a patient’s heart tolerates activity, the likelihood that the patient will develop coronary artery disease and the effectiveness of his or her current cardiac treatment plan.

Intravascular Ultrasound

The intravascular ultrasound is performed during a cardiac catherization. A catherization is a procedure during which the physician inserts a thin plastic tube into an artery or vein in the arm or leg. The tube is then advanced to the heart.

To conduct the ultrasound, a transducer is threaded into the heart’s blood vessel via the catheter. This test is often used to yield detailed information about atherosclerosis – a condition involving clot formation and narrowing of blood vessels.

The resulting image from an intravascular ultrasound.

For more information on echocardiography schools, resources, and jobs, visit www.echocardiographer.net/.

Our Reader writes:

Someone I know recently graduated and became certified as a
Cardiac Sonographer.  It seems that all employers want 2 to 3 years
experience.  How to you get experience if no one will hire a new grad?
Any suggestions I can pass along?

Our Response:

Thanks for writing.  Many schools have placement services and I am sorry
to hear your friend is not getting help in this way.  Also, many jobs
result from internships and clinical experience.

I understand, that whole ‘experience’ thing can be tricky sometimes.
Creativity is the name of the game when the standard tactics aren’t
working.

1.  Your friend should contact all the facilities that are most likely to
need Echo services in the region (or out of the area if she can relocate).  Sometimes
positions come available for the right candidate with some perseverance.

2.  Another posssiblity is to take a part-time unpaid internship—and
sell her abilities once in the door, or use that experience on the resume for another
employer.

3.  Here’s another idea: Taking a position as a cardiac tech or medical assistance just
to get started, so that she is in the right place to help out the Echo
professionals on staff and to move right into the position when it opens up.

4.  I also strongly recommend that your friend get in touch with the
American Society of echocardiography for their recommendations and
assistance as well.  http://www.asecho.org.

Good luck and also ask your friend to sign on for our Echo Forums for
continuing advice and info.

Regards,
Cheryl McLeod
Director
Echocardiographer.net

Edit this entry.

An Echo tech salary varies depending on the amount of education, the amount of experience and the certificate or degree you have. Another factor in determining salary for an echocardiographer is the employer type, such as a hospital, clinic or private practice as well as the city or town you live in.

One great advantage for a cardiac sonographer is that their expertise is in high demand all over the country. This gives echo techs the opportunity to choose where to live knowing there will most likely be more than one available position to choose from. Following are median echo tech salaries for some of America’s growing cities: Atlanta, $61,042, Philadelphia, $60,173 and Little Rock, $58,958. Some of the top paying West Coast cities for echocardiographers include San Jose, CA and Oakland, CA.

Echocardiographer positions are available by many different employers. A cardiac sonographer can set up a private practice where the median salary is $53,523. Working in a hospital setting echo techs will earn an average of $52,773 and private companies report a median salary of $54,992. An echocardiographer can also work for the government which pays on about $40,000 a year. There is a broad range of job opportunities for echocardiographers from the employer to the job location and salaries are great for all of these opportunities.

Education is another big factor that is considered when deciding on an echo tech’s salary. Echocardiographers can go through an associates training program and earn a certificate or can go through a bachelor’s program and earn a Bachelors Degree. The more education you have, the more competitive you will be. Years of experience also factor in to the salary. A cardiac sonographer with less than one year experience will earn around $45,500. A professional with 20+ years experience can earn around $58,971. Although there are many factors in an echocardiographer’s salary, education and years of experience are a big determinate.  

For more information on this up and coming health care industry, check out www.echocardiographer.net.

The echocardiography industry is rapidly growing in the healthcare field all over the country. As an echocardiographer, you will experience the many opportunities and benefits this up and coming industry has to offer. With job openings on the rise all over the nation and the opportunity to receive some of the best salaries in healthcare, echocardiographers are offered great rewards in a variety of ways. Probably one of the most rewarding aspects of being a cardiac sonographer is the chance to help people and make a difference in someone’s life.

• Job Opportunities on the Rise

                            Sunny San Jose, California

The demand for echocardiographers is increasing across the country. From New York to California there are many cities and states with echo tech job openings. This gives cardiac sonographers the chance to choose where they would like to live and work. Those who love hot, sunny days may prefer a job in California or Florida. Echo techs who want to experience all four seasons and the fun activities each has to offer may want to look into a cardiac ultrasound job in Michigan. Whatever your preference is, there is an echocardiography job available and plenty of great attractions and activities to see in each state!

                                             Winter in Michigan

• Some of the Best Salaries in the Healthcare Industry

Not only do echocardiographers have the opportunity to choose where they want to live and work, but will also receive some of the best salaries in the healthcare industry. A cardiac sonography career only requires 18 months to two years of education and the average annual income for an echo tech in 2006 was $57,160. The more education you have, the more competitive you will be in the echocardiography industry. Employers offering some of the best salaries are local government health services and corporate health programs. A few of the states with the best echo tech salaries are Connecticut, Alaska and Colorado.

• The Chance to Make a Difference

A career in echocardiography not only gives you flexibility in your work location and a great salary, it also gives you the opportunity to work directly with patients to help make a difference in their lives. In both adult and pediatric echo, cardiac sonographers have the chance to work with patients of all ages.

Some people are called to make a difference in the lives of others, to be a compassionate, skilled care giver and a source of reliable information for patients.  Talented echo techs get to make that difference every day in the lives of their patients. In any healthcare field there are many rewards, and skilled echocardiographers will benefit greatly in a variety of ways.

For more about echocardiographer schools, employment opportunities, and resources, visit www.echocardiographer.net and come back to our Blog often.

Here you will find information related to:

• What Echocardiography is, including the latest technological information and other resources
• What training / education is required
• Latest career information such as salaries and locations in need of Echo Techs

Please explore the site and don’t be afraid to contact us with questions! We here are echocardiographer.net will be working for you!

Stay tuned for regular updates!