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
Timothy
08. Feb, 2009
It is a fact that nobody picks up a probe and intuitively starts generating diagnostic quality echocardiograms, (or any other modality of ultrasound). I attended a 2 accredited (CAAHEP) cardiac sonography program as well. We were required to document a minimum of 1700 hours of clinical time, the majority of which was spent scanning. That IS experience. Just because it was obtained while attending a school does not matter. ALL of it counts. Would a potential emplyer count scan time for a person who had just been taght how to obtain pictures and run the machine while on the job? Those who are trained like that are not doing anything more after two years than taking good pictures. I have showed things and demonstrated knowledge to other people doing echo that I learned in a formal setting that they didn’t know after ( in some cases) 6 to 12 years of doing it clinically. None of them were naturals at the job either.
cheryl@echocardiographer.net
17. Feb, 2009
Dear Timothy,
Thank you for bringing more light to the issue of ‘job vs. clinical’ experience. We agree that clinical time should count as experience for echo tech positions. I hope that employers will sit up and take notice of your well presented viewpoint.
Thanks,
Cheryl
Echocardiographer.net
Anne
16. Apr, 2009
Thanks for having this website, I graduated a year ago, still can’t find a job, every employer need experience, how will I get that if am not giving a chance. Grace period for my student loan is over still no job. I am happy that someone notice this problem. Thanks again.
Anne
chas
26. Sep, 2009
My wife went to an accredited college, passed the registry and now I hear about no jobs, no replies to the ones that popup (perdiem) mostly. What kind of program starts with the adminstrator saying the jobs are out there then stressing the students out with you have to make better than this gpa or you are out and when its all over dumps you like a hot potatoe does not say much for your profession or school