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The Career

Mission Statement

Cardiovascular Sonography

The Cardiovascular Sonographer is a skilled member of the diagnostic health care team. The sonographer must possess in-depth knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and pathology to apply to imaging and physiological procedures. As there are several specialties within the realm of ultrasound, a sonographer's specific specialty area(s) will be determined by personal interests, background, and training. The sonographer comesinto close contact with patients, which necessitates excellent interpersonal skills.

Procedures are performed with real-time B-mode, M-mode and Doppler instrumentation, utilizing a transducer assembly against the anatomical part of interest and recording the images with ancillary devices, such as laser disks, video recorders, and color printers. Noninvasive peripheral vascular studies also utilize blood pressure cuffs and other devices for assessing hemodynamic properties. Most sonography procedures are in nature, although with continuing advances in technology, the addition of more invasive studies increases each year.

Employment opportunities are varied. Cardiovascular Sonographers may be employed in hospitals, clinics, private offices, and industry. There is also a need for suitably qualified educators, researchers and administrators. The demand for registered sonographers/technologists continues to exceed the supply, and sonography has become a beneficial skill in the multi-modality health care environment.

The supply and demand ratios affect salaries, depending upon experience, job description and geographic location. In the southeastern region, entry-level cardiovascular sonographers earn approximately $50,000 annually.

SUMMER

• Introduction to CVS Sonography

FALL

• EKG Cardiac Testing 
• Scan Lab I 
• Vascular Sonography I
• Echocardiography I
• Applied Cardiovascular Sonography I - Clinicals         

SPRING                                            

• Scan Lab II
• Vascular Sonography II 
• Echocardiography II
• Sonography Physics I 
• Applied Cardiovascular Sonography II  - Clinicals

SUMMER

• Echocardiography III              
• Vascular Sonography III       
• Registry Review
• Sonography Physics  II         
• Applied Cardiovascular Sonography III - Clinicals    

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CVS courses:

Introduction to Sonography & Patient Care
This is an introductory course to familiarize the student to the ultrasound department, instrumentation terminology, hospital policies and procedures, working relationships within the hospital, and professional ethics.

Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation
The basic principles of medical sonography. Instrumentation of machine controls, transducer, color flow, Doppler ultrasound principles and hemodynamics, as well as the photographic processing and various methods of permanent storage of sonographic images, quality assurance, and bio-effects will be discussed.

Vascular Sonography I
Basic protocols for performing vascular sonography, testing examinations, indications, history, and physical examinations will be covered.

Echocardiography I
The is the first of two courses which covers the basic protocols for performing echocardiograms and normal sonographic anatomy & physiology pertaining to echocardiography.

Applied CVS I, II, & III
Consecutive courses which provide internships of supervised clinical practicum hours where the student acquires the knowledge and skills relevant to echocardiography and vascular specialties.

Noninvasive EKG Cardiac Testing
Basic EKG interpretation and the principles of EKG, holter monitor hook up and cardiac stress testing are covered. Continuation of adult echo is included.

Vascular Sonography II
The study of sonography and its application in the diagnosis of vascular diseases.
Duplex, pulsed and continued wave Doppler velocities and cranial Doppler will be studied.

Echocardiography II
The second in a series focusing on adult cardiac diseases with sonographic anatomy and physiology. .       

CVS Sonography Review
This course is a review class to prepare students for the cardiovascular sonography examinations. The students will participate in the actual preparation of this review. Topics covered include but are not limited to: Echocardiography, vascular, and CV sonography physics & instrumentation.

Vascular Sonography III
The third in a series focusing on technical principles and instrumentation specific to vascular technology.

Echocardiography III

This is the final class in instruction of standard ultrasound techniques to image two-dimensional slices of the heart and 3-D real-time imaging. Fetal cardiac embryology and an introduction to pediatric echocardiology are provided as well as special topics related to cardiovascular sonography.

Scan Lab I, II, III
These courses allow students to gain additional understanding and experience in scanning procedures related to scheduled classroom topics. Scan lab topics will accentuate the studnets' understanding of the subjects covered in the vascular, echocardiography and physics courses.