The Weatherford College Cardiovascular Sonography Program is a 22-month curriculum
comprised of classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences. This is a full-time
program. Classroom and scanning lab sessions are on campus from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. two or three days a week, and the practicum clinical experiences are typically
from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. as arranged with the externship affiliates. The course
of study is comprised of 64 semester-credit hours and is designed to prepare individuals
for careers as entry-level adult cardiac and vascular sonographers.
Weatherford College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Applicants
are considered on the basis of qualifications without regard to gender, age, race,
color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or the presence
of a non-job-related disability or any other legally protected status.
Diagnostic imaging embraces several procedures that aid in diagnosing many disease
conditions. Cardiovascular sonographers use special equipment to direct non-ionizing,
high frequency sound waves into areas of the patient’s body. Sonographers operate
the equipment which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be recorded,
transmitted, or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician.
The Cardiovascular Sonography program is seeking CAAHEP accreditation. This multi-step
process requires application, self-study, a site visit, and eventually, a recommendation
for accreditation. Faculty of the CVS program consider this an essential component
in the education of future sonographers and are working diligently towards this goal.
Program Goals
The goal of the Cardiovascular Sonography Program is to prepare competent entry-level
general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective
(behavior) learning domains for the following concentrations:
- Adult echocardiography
- Vascular sonography
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355-113th St. N, # 7709
Seminole, FL 33775
P: (727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org
Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Sonography (JRC-DMS)
6021 University Blvd #500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
443 -973-3251
www.jrcdms.org
Career Options
The Cardiovascular Sonography program prepares you for a fulfilling career as a sonographer
specialized in adult cardiac and vascular sonography procedures.
You will have the ability to work at a hospital, imaging center, outpatient medical
offices, or become a traveling sonographer.
You will also have upward mobility by expanding your professional repertoire and learning
additional ultrasound specialties such as abdominal, OB-GYN, or musculoskeletal sonography.
Cardiovascular Sonography Statistic
Median annual pay in 2020 for sonographers in the metroplex
- The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the job outlook for Cardiovascular
sonographers is 14% yearly from 2020-2030.
- The median pay in 2020 for sonographers in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington area,
according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics was $74,600 per year; $35.87
per hour.
Reference: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm
Requirements
Technical Standards
Listed below are some of the technical standards that sonographers and vascular technologists
must be able to routinely perform. If an individual is unable to meet the technical
standards, they will be referred to the ADA department.
- Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
- Push and pull routinely
- Bend and stoop routinely
- Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders
- Distinguish audible sounds
- Adequately view sonograms, including color distinctions
- Work standing on their feet 80% of the time
- Interact compassionately and effectively with the sick or injured
- Assist patients on and off examining tables
- Communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals
- Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a sonographic procedure in
the proper sequence
Retrieved from: www.sdms.org
