Historical Development of the Echocardiography Technology Program

Professional Training Centers recently began offering the Echocardiography Technology Program as a certificate program. Implementation of this program was a result of input provided by students, graduates and employers who suggested for Professional Training Centers to offer this highly technical allied health profession.

Scope of Practice for Echocardiography Technologist

The Echocardiography Technologists provide preliminary diagnostic evaluation and notifies cardiologist of results of the examination. Noninvasive ultrasound instruments is utilized to obtain and record information related to the anatomy and physiology of the heart by measuring given parameters and structures within the heart. The acquisition of the cardiac information is done by using duplex ultrasound system which uses both two-dimensional (2D) imaging and Doppler ultrasound. These images are recorded as data on videotapes and/or other electronic media. Once the data is collected by the technologist it is revised and interpreted by the cardiologist and a final report is dictated.

The Echocardiography Technologist prepares patients by describing the procedure, obtaining a pertinent clinical history through direct questioning and review of the patient’s prior medical records and performing a physical evaluation of observation of the patient, palpation of pulses, auscultation and in some cases, measurement of blood pressures. The Echocardiography Technologist is a highly skilled member of the cardiology department in a health care facility.

Employments opportunities are varied, Echocardiography Technologists are being employed by hospitals, clinics, private offices, educational centers, research facilities, and industry.

Description of Working Environment

Most of the Echocardiography Technologists work in a hospital setting while the remainder may be employed in clinics, physician’s offices, free standing cardiac laboratories or mobile services, when the technologist and/or the instrument is transported to the patient or remote office.

A full time Echocardiography Technologist generally works a 5-day, 40 hour week. Approximately half of Echocardiography Technologists are required to be on-call outside normal operating hours (e.g., evening and weekends).

Although most patients are ambulatory, many are elderly, incapacitated or occasionally seriously ill, and require lifting. Examinations must occasionally be performed at the patient’s bedside (portable) and, although some instruments can be moved easily, the duplex scanner is generally large and heavy.

Program Objectives and Goals

The purpose of this program is to prepare students for employment as Echocardiography Technologist or to provide supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in this occupational area.

Program Goals

1. Graduates will have the knowledge to perform appropriate procedures and record anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician at an entry level.
2. Graduates will have an understanding for obtaining pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data for presentation to the diagnosing physician.
3. Develop an understanding with exercising discretion and judgment in the performance of echocardiography and/or other non- invasive diagnostic services.
4. Promote professional and ethical conduct and support the learning of appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues.
5. Promote guidance and goals appropriate to acquire the commitment towards continued education and professional development.

General information

The Echocardiography Technology Program is a specialty, which is divided into several individual courses. The curriculum is standardized in compliance with accreditation agencies to provide the competency based, outcome oriented, didactic, laboratory and clinical experience. Students are scheduled to attend 20 hours per week, 5 days a week, and scheduled to alternate between didactic and laboratory sessions on a daily basis for most of the program. Upon commencement of the program the student will be provided a syllabus that contains the course specific objectives.

Upon completion of the Program the student(s) will receive an Occupational Associate Degree and will be able to seek entry level employment as an Echocardiography Technologist.