Cardiovascular Technology Certification

Many cardiovascular technologists work in hospitals.

Certification in cardiovascular technology, whether you are interested in echocardiography or vascular technology, requires both education in your respective area and experience. Generally, certification in echocardiography requires a medical license, while vascular technology has several different educational pathways, beginning with a two-year degree in an allied health program.

Background

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cardiovascular technology covers a group of noninvasive tests done by technologists who specialize in the field. It is a way to produce pictures of the inside of a patient without inserting a probe. Within cardiovascular technology, there are echocardiographers or cardiac sonographers who specialize in heart examination and vascular technologists who examine the circulation system. There are certifications for both types of technologists.

Echocardiography Certification Requirements

According to the National Board of Echocardiography (NBE), they offer seven certifications in various types of echocardiography. One certification is the Comprehensive one, which covers three different procedures, and another is certification in Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography. All of the certifications require that you pass a test offered through NBE, as well as hold a license to practice medicine. You also must have a current board certification, training in cardiovascular disease and training in echocardiography.

Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography

Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography is a specific type of certification in echocardiography. The exam you take for this certification is the Advanced PTEeXAM. To take the test, you must complete the application for it, and send copies of your medical license. Once that is done and you have paid the certification fees, you can take the test which, as of April 2010, is computer-based.

Vascular Technologist

To receive the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential, you must pass two tests--the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) and one in Vascular Technology. According to the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), you are eligible to take the exam after completing the appropriate education and /or experience pathway. One education and experience pathway is to complete a two-year allied health education program and a year of full-time vascular experience. Another pathway is the completion of a bachelor's degree in sonography or vascular technology. This pathway does not require any experience.

Salary Potential

According to PayScale.com, the median salary for people certified as a registered vascular technologist (RVT) and working as a registered vascular ultrasound technologist is $66,100. This, of course, isn't the only job that an RVT can attain. Those working as diagnostic medical sonographers have a median salary of $62,200 while those working as basic vascular technologists have a median salary of $52,100. RVTs may also work as echocardiographers, who earn a median salary of $65,400 as of April 2010.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
• National Board of Echocardiography: Certification Explained
• National Board of Echocardiography: Advanced PTEeXAM
• PayScale.com: Median Salary by Job- Registered Vascular Technologists
• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography: RVT