Echocardiography Training
The American Heart Association defines echocardiography as a test that takes moving pictures of the heart and its sound waves. From the echocardiogram the doctor will know the size of the heart chambers, its pumping and valve functions and its blood volume. He uses these readings to diagnose heart conditions and diseases. Most doctors use trained medical professions to take the readings.
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Classes
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You will take some basic courses such as algebra, basic communications courses, biology and chemistry. These classes will lay the foundation for some of the advanced anatomy and physiology, medical terminology and physics classes you'll need later to complete your training. As you advance further into your training, you will learn to use the equipment that bounces high-frequency sound against a patient's heart and translates it into a video image.
Types of Training
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Basic training in echocardiography qualifies you to be an echo tech. Courses teach you how to operate the technology used for taking the sonogram. If you pursue in-depth training, you may later pursue employment as an echo cardiac stenographer as you will have an understanding of heart and vascular abnormalities that enables you to interpret the results of the echocardiograph. Some echo cardio stenographers may administer medication to patients during the testing procedure.
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Requirements
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Some programs for echocardiography training may require you to have previous medical course work or work experience. Some employers may train you on the job if you already have training or experience in the medical field. Admission to a certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree program has no requirements for prior course work or work experience. It helps to have high school transcripts that show you've completed classes in physiology, anatomy, algebra, computer science, biology and physics.
Time Frame
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The amount of time echocardiography training takes to complete depends on whether you have training or experience in the medical field. If you already work in the medical field, you can complete basic on-the-job training for echocardiography in as little as four to six weeks. Alternately, a certificate program takes about a year to complete. If you don't have any experience, enroll in an associates degree program in a technical school or community college. You will then spend about two years studying before you graduate. Some colleges offer a four-year program that culminates in the award of a bachelor's degree.
Considerations
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The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits reputable associates and bachelor's degree programs in echocardiography. A program in diagnostic medical sonography also leads to employment in the field. Even after training, some employers may prefer you have certain types of certification. Contact the Cardiovascular Credential International (CCI) or American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) about certification. Workshops and seminars offer continuing education to keep you current on technological advances.
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References
- Photo Credit Examination image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
