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- Echocardiographers
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Job opportunities and salaries in the healthcare specialty of Echocardiography have been rising steadily over the last few years and the US Department of Labor predicts another 26% increase in the need for Echocardiographers by the year 2016. Cardiac Sonographers are ranked in the Top 10 Best Paid positions for associate degree careers. Further more, skilled Echo Techs enjoy a rewarding career that balances high-tech expertise with compassionate care of the individual.
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Echocardiographer.net has assembled the most complete and up-to-date look at the Echocardiographer job market, salary trends, training requirements, licensing, and certification information, that our readers will find anywhere on the internet. We tell you the states that are most in need of Echo Techs, what kinds of employers offer the best paying Cardiac Sonographer jobs, and what it takes to become a successful Echocardiography professional. Visit us often for the most current happenings in this rewarding healthcare field.
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Click HERE to find Echocardiography Jobs everywhere in the nation...
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Echo Tech Skills, Schools, and Certification
What is Echocardiography?
The healthcare field of Echocardiography involves the assessment of cardiovascular anatomy (the structure and function of the heart and blood vessels) with the use of specialized ultrasound technology. Echocardiography maps the structures of the heart and vessels, such as valves and walls, and provides detailed information about the efficiency of blood flow through the cardiovascular system. Also known as Cardiac Sonography, Echocardiography is now replacing older radiology studies as a safer, more cost-effective, and more accurate diagnostic imaging procedure.
Who is the Echocardiographer?
The Echocardiographer (aka Cardiac Sonographer or Echo Tech) receives specialty training in cardiac ultrasound technology. The Echo Tech performs an echocardiogram for the patient in a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, or diagnostic imaging center setting. Cardiac Sonography jobs combine high-tech training and expertise with compassionate hands-on patient care.
Echocardiographers work closely with patients throughout the procedure. The Cardiac Sonographer operates ultrasound equipment that collects reflected echoes and Doppler signals from images and spectral tracings of the heart. Two-dimensional images and Doppler tracings are used to assess cardiac structures and hemodynamics (the study of blood flow). Cardiac Sonographers and physicians work together with the patient during the cardiac ultrasound procedure to integrate Echo data for accurate diagnoses.
Echocardiograms may be performed while the patient is either resting or exercising. Echo Techs may administer medication to physically active patients to assess their heart function when under stress. Cardiac Sonographers also assist with invasive transesophageal echocardiography, where the physician places a special tube in the patient’s esophagus to obtain ultrasound images.
Echocardiographer career opportunities are thriving and expected to grow another 26% by the year 2016. Echo Tech salaries are among the best in the allied health professions and rank in the Top 10 best salaries for Associate Degree level careers.
What Does it Take to Become a Professional Echocardiographer?
Education:
Although educational requirements vary from state to state, the professional associations and credentialing bodies for Cardiac Sonographers have come a long way in promoting consistent education and skill requirements across the nation. Today the most common level of Echo Tech education is the Associates Degree.
The first year is dedicated to core course work and the second to clinical experiences and specialty training in invasive or noninvasive cardiac ultrasound technology, or vascular ultrasound technology. Four year Bachelor’s Degree programs are becoming much more common and the overall trend is toward more formal education and Echocardiographer licensing.
For more information, please check our section on echocardiography schools.
Certification & Licensing:
Certification in this healthcare specialty is available through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Although not every state and institution requires certification or licensing, the national trend is towards credentialing and job opportunities are much more promising for the certified Echocardiographer. Either of the above credentialing organizations can be contacted to find out if your state requires certification or licensing in echocardiography.
The CCI offers four certifications—Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT), Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS), Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS), and Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS).
The ARDMS offers Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) and Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credentials. Many U.S. states require certification in order to be licensed to practice as a Cardiac Sonographer. Major medical institutions either require certification or reward employees who obtain certification in their echocardiography specialty. Cardiac Sonographers with training and certification in multiple specialties are especially valued by employers. Check out the salary and opportunities info in our Echocardiographer Jobs section.
The Registry Exam: In order to become a licensed Echocardiographer, a rigorous exam is required. The ASCeXAM is an examination administered by the National Board of Echocardiography to determine competency in the field of diagnostic cardiac ultrasound practice. This is a computerized multiple-choice question test that covers cardiovascular anatomy and function, theory and application of echocardiography principles, various cardiac Sonography technologies, and much more. Graduates of accredited 2 and 4 year Echo Tech schools have the greatest preparation for the licensing exam.
Skills and Talents of the Successful Echocardiographer
Basic Aptitudes:
Mechanical Ability
Detail Oriented & Organized
Excellent Communication Skills (with both patients and physicians)
Calm & Compassionate Professional Manner.
Skills and Knowledge Base:
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- Knowledge of Structure and Function of the Cardiovascular System.
- Ability to perform Echocardiograms and other Cardiac ultrasound procedures.
- appropriate to the particular specialty area, with efficiency and accuracy.
- Therapeutic communications & Patient teaching skills.
- Ability to accurately and clearly document the Echo procedure & results.
- Ability to function as an efficient team member with the Physician & the Patient.
- Knowledge of Patient Safety & Emergency Response.
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The Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) Exam:
The exam to become certified as a registered Echocardiographer through the CCI requires candidates to be knowledgeable and answer questions in the following areas:
Patient Management and Clinical Medicine 11%
Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation 15%
Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Disease/
Therapeutic Measures 20%
Two-Dimensional and M-mode Echocardiography 20%
Cardiac Doppler and Color Flow Echocardiography 20%
Advanced Techniques in Echocardiography 10%
Other Non-invasive Modalities 4%
TOTAL 100% (of exam questions)
The Scope of Practice for the Cardiac Ultrasound Professional
The American Society of Echocardiography states:
“The Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional is an individual qualified by professional credentialing2 and academic and clinical experience to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures. The scope of practice of the Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional includes those procedures, acts and processes permitted by law, for which the individual has received education and clinical experience, and in which he/she has demonstrated competency.
Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals:
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- Perform patient assessments
- Acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound and related diagnostic technologies
- Provide a summary of findings to the physician to aid in patient diagnosis and management
- Use independent judgment and systematic problem solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient care
- Copyright 2008 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)
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The team at Echocardiographer.net welcomes your comments and questions via our convenient contact form. We will be sure to answer all inquiries promptly.
As new information in the field of Echocardiography and Diagnostic Sonography comes available, Echocardiographer.net will make this data available to our readers immediately. A solid knowledge base gives future Echo Techs the edge they need to succeed. We wish you the very best in your new career and invite you back to visit often for the latest in Cardiac Sonography happenings and up-to-date statistics.
