—Joan
Response: Echocardiographers, sometimes called echo sonographers, use sonography equipment in non-evasive diagnostic procedures. These produce two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings and Doppler flow analyses of the heart and related structures that physicians use in coronary study and diagnosis of heart disease.
The ultrasound equipment produces real-time images of tomographic cardiac anatomy. To accomplish this, echocardiographers adjust the controls according to physician's orders and areas of heart to be examined, fine-tuning those adjustments for quality images.
However, before attaching the first electrode to a patient's chest, the technician explains the procedures, both to obtain cooperation and to reduce anxiety.
Once in place, electrodes either monitor heart rhythm or connect to the ultrasound transducer. The echocardiographer moves this over the patient's heart areas, observing the ultrasound display screen and listening to Doppler signals. Both provide data for measuring blood-flow velocities.
Echocardiographers may use calipers and ruler to measure heart wall thickness and chamber sizes recorded on a strip printout or key commands into a computer to measure thickness and chamber sizes of the heart on videotape. Comparing these measurements to standard norms identifies any heart abnormalities.
The echocardiographers also measure blood flow velocities and calculate data, such as cardiac physiology and valve areas, so physicians can evaluate cardiac function.
After printing pictures of the graphic analysis recordings, they use a computer to key patient information into equipment that records it on video cassette and a strip printout. These are kept as a permanent record of the examination.
Afterward, echocardiographers review the test results with an interpreting physician.
Employment Outlook:
Above average growth is projected through 2010 for echocardiographers.
Employment will grow as advances in sonography reduce the need for more costly and invasive procedures. Echocardiographers should experience favorable job opportunities, as ultrasound becomes an increasingly attractive alternative to radiological procedures.
Salary Range:
| ECHOCARDIOGRAPHER projected 2002 annual salaries in the Los Angeles area according to Economic Research Institute: |
|||
| YEARS EXPERIENCE | 10th PERCENTILE | TIME SERIES MEDIAN | 90th PERCENTILE |
| 10 | $ 38,146 | $ 43,169 | $ 52,965 |
| 5 | $ 33,058 | $ 37,380 | $ 45,902 |
| 1 | $ 27,657 | $ 31,234 | $ 38,402 |
Licensing:
While California does not require licensure in diagnostic medical sonography, the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) certifies the competency of echocardiographers through registration.
Registration as an echocardiographer is titled Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS). This credential documents personal achievement of recognized professional standards and is widely accepted in the medical community by ultrasound professional organizations, including the American Society of Echocardiography and Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Passage of the registry examination enhances an echocardiographer's employability and earning capacity.
The only means of obtaining an ARDMS credential is by examination. The examination prerequisites involve 5 levels of education. The levels include completion of a two-year allied health education program that is patient-care related and 12 months of full-time clinical/ultrasound experience, completion of a CAAHEP-approved or CMA-approved program ultrasound technology program, with no additional experience required, or high school graduate and a minimum of 48 months full-time clinical ultrasound experience.
The ARDMS definition of full-time is 35 hours per week, which consists of didactic and clinical work. Their definition of clinical work is being employed or as a student of ultrasound technology in a clinical setting under the supervision of a doctor and/or registered sonographer.
Once the prerequisites are met, the applicants are then required to pass two comprehensive examinations titled physical principles and instrumentation examination, and at least one corresponding specialty examination.
For registration as an echocardiographer, the specialty options are adult or pediatric echocardiography. Each examination contains approximately 120 multiple-choice items and is two hours in length. ARDMS examinations are constructed to assess the knowledge and skills involved in tasks performed by echocardiographers.
Beginning in 2005, ARDMS will consider for registration only those holding an associate or higher degree. To keep their registration current, sonographers and echocardiographers must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 3 years to stay abreast of advances in the occupation and in technology.
Training Options and Resources:
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEA) accredits education programs for ultrasound technologists. Most of these programs take two years to complete, and many lead to an associate degree.
- For more information, contact:
- CAHEA
- 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970
- Chicago, IL 60601-2208
- Phone 312-553-9355
- Fax 312-553-9616
- www.caahep.org
- Chicago, IL 60601-2208
- Loma Linda University
- School of Allied Health Professions
- Department of Radiation Technology
- School of Allied Health Professions
- Loma Linda University
- Nichol Hall, Room A829
- Loma Linda, CA 92350
- (909) 558-4599 or (800) 422-4558
- Contact: Marie DeLange, Program Director, (909) 558-4416
- e-mail: MDeLange@ahs.llumc.edu
- Nichol Hall, Room A829
Prerequisites for admission to the program are having one of the following student backgrounds: Radiologic technologist, two-year AS degree, two-year Allied Health degree, Bachelor of Science degree, or Ultrasongrapher with RDMS, RDCS, or RVT.
Prerequisite college-level courses for all tracks are anatomy and physiology (complete sequence), intermediate algebra, computer applications, patient care, and medical terminology.
The RDCS program takes one year to complete at a total cost of $8,000, not including textbook expenses. The costs for an associate degree is $294 per unit for the first 8 units, $172 per unit beyond the first 6 units, and $143.50 per unit for audit and tutorial study plus student fees, special tuition charges, and supplies.
- Orange Coast College
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- 2701 Fairview Road
- Costa Mesa, CA 90628
- (714) 432-5549
- www.occ.cccd.edu
- Contact: Joan, Isaacs, Program Director
- Costa Mesa, CA 90628
Associations:
- Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- 12770 Coit Rd Ste 708
- Dallas TX 75251-1319
- (972) 239-7367
- (800) 229-9506
- Fax (972) 239-7378
- www.sdms.org
- Dallas TX 75251-1319
The annual dues of membership are $119.
- American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 360
- Rockville, Maryland 20852-1150
- (301) 738-8401 / Toll Free: (800) 541-9754
- Fax (301) 738-0312/0313
- www.ardms.org
- Rockville, Maryland 20852-1150
- American Society of Echocardiography
- Los Angeles Society of Echo
- 1245 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 703
- Los Angeles, CA 9017
- (213) 977-0419
- Contact: Bruce L. Macrum, President
- Los Angeles, CA 9017
Job Resources:
- Echocareers.com
- 5842 Sundown Circle, Suite 625
- Orlando, FL 32822
- (407) 736.0701
- Fax (603) 853.9228
- www.echocareers.com
- Orlando, FL 32822
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