Echocardiography Technologist Training
Echocardiography uses ultrasound equipment to analyze cardiovascular diseases. Physicians normally use echocardiography technologists to carry out diagnostic procedures. Echocardiography technologists are also called cardiac technologists and they undertake extensive training in order to assist physicians with discovering ailments within the heart system. Testing is non-invasive and echocardiography technologists are trained to specialize in this particular area of cardiovascular technology.
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Job Description
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Hospitals, private physician's offices and outpatient imaging organizations utilize the skills of echocardiography technologists. Depending on the specialty area in which they are employed, echocardiography technologists have different job duties they perform on a daily basis. They create echocardiograms, review physicians interpretations, and they monitor a patient's heart rate. Sometimes they even place tubes inside of a patient's throat to perform transesophageal echocardiography procedures.
Education
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Two-year associate degrees meet the basic educational requirements for some echocardiography technologist positions. Four-year educational programs are becoming more standardized and there some employers who desire individuals to have at least a bachelor's degree before they can be employed. Two-year programs involve one year of core classes and another year of coursework which focuses on an individual's particular area of specialization. Educational institutions that normally offer echocardiography programs are usually accredited organizations.
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Certification
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Certification is a voluntary process within this field, but employers usually require echocardiography technologists to be certified before they can work within this field. Cardio Credentialing International (CCI) and the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ADRMS) offer this type of service for echocardiography technologist. Accreditation is important because most credentialing organizations won't certify a person unless they have attended a qualified institution.
Employment Opportunities
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, employment opportunities within the cardiovascular field is expected to grow by 24 percent by the year 2018. Rapid growth in this field is being driven by a maturing population who has an increased chance of heart ailments due to their old age. Another factor with increasing the amount of jobs within this line of work has to do with the growth of non-invasive examination procedures. Individuals who can work irregular hours and has the potential to relocate will be among the best candidates to enter this profession.
Salary Information
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Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor states that the average salaries for echocardiography technologists in 2008 were close to $47,000. Echocardiography technologists who worked in physician offices averaged about $50,000. Employees who made the lowest wages earned less than $25,000 and the highest income earners made around $75,000 a year.
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References
- Photo Credit heart attack image by JASON WINTER from Fotolia.com
