Vascular Sonography

Patient pamphlets offered through society of vascular ultrasound (www.svunet.org)

Vascular Sonography

Vascular ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool used in the diagnosis and detection of blood vessel problems. Ultrasound is also used to detect heart problems. Your vascular lab visit will consist of a safe non¬invasive ultrasound exam. Non-invasive means the ultrasound procedure does not require the use of needles, dyes, radiation or anesthesia. Ultrasound uses sound wave frequencies too high to be heard by humans as a safe and harmless method to diagnose many medical conditions. (svunet)

Responsibilities of a Vascular Sonography Technologist

Vascular technologists are important members of the vascular team. They work closely with radiologists, cardiologists and surgeons. Some technologists own their own independent laboratories and provide services to physicians and hospitals.

Vascular technologists assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of disorders affecting the vascular system (Society of Vascular Ultrasound). They perform non-invasive vascular exams in order to assess for vascular disease or disorders.

Vascular technologists are unique in the medical imaging profession because they work with a high level of independence. One of the biggest responsibilities of a vascular technologist is to compile information that is gathered on an exam to give a preliminary impression. To do this, the vascular technologist must have adequate training in vascular scanning techniques as well as have knowledge about vascular disease. A thorough patient history must be taken to correlate the findings of the exam. Once the exam is finished, they will report directly to a physician with the results.

The technologist is also responsible for providing patient care and safety throughout the exam. They should know how to respond appropriately in emergency situations.

How do I become a Vascular Sonography Technologist?

There are several routes to be taken in order to become a vascular technologist. There are a few bachelor degree programs that provide schooling and clinical training. An example is Oregon Institute of Technology. In the program at OIT, the first three years fulfill courses for general education and specific vascular curriculum. The final year is an extern year where the student gains clinical experience working 40 hours a week in a hospital or clinic. There are clinical extern sites throughout the United States. With completion of the bachelor’s degree, the student is fully trained and ready to work in the field. They are also eligible to become a Registered Vascular Technologist through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Other colleges that offer a four year degree in vascular ultrasound are Rush University in Chicago, Illinois and Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

There are other schools that offer a certificate program such as Salt Lake Community College. This program gives students an opportunity to learn many different fields of ultrasound and then decide which they want to go into. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) also offers different pathways for individuals who hold a bachelors degree, medical degree, or are already registered in general sonography.

Your goal will be to earn credentials as a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) through the ARDMS and/or a Registered Vascular Sonographer through the ARRT. Options for exam eligibility are outlined below but please refer to the credentialing body for any recent changes. (ARDMS or ARRT)

ARDMS Examination Pre-requisites

1. A single two-year allied health education program that is patient-care related.

Allied health occupations include, but are not limited to, diagnostic medical sonographer, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist and registered nurse. + 12 months of full-time clinical vascular experience.

2. Graduates of a program accredited by an agency recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), United States Department of Education (USDOE) or Canadian Medical Association (CMA) that specifically conducts programmatic accreditation for diagnostic medical sonography/diagnostic cardiac sonography/vascular sonography.

3. Bachelors degree in vascular technology. Vascular technology bachelor’s degree candidates may take the examination one year prior to the completion of the degree, provided they have completed 12 months of full-time clinical experience.

4. General, U.S. and Canada – MD or DO degree with valid license to practice medicine in the U.S. and Canada and

a. Completion of a residency or fellowship that includes appropriate didactic and clinical vascular experiences.

Or

b. 12 months of full-time clinical vascular experience. ARRT Examination Pre-Requisites ARRT offers post-primary certification in vascular sonography.

Candidates must be registered by ARRT in one of the following categories:

Radiography
Nuclear Medicine
Radiation Therapy or
Sonography

And

Documented clinical experience in all of the mandatory procedures and 10 of the 30 elective procedures as defined by the ARRT.

Note: In relationship to sonography, the ARDMS certification is required more often for positions that ARRT. Both certifications are valuable.

Educational Pathway

Pre-requisites for allied-health program – 1 year

Completion of allied health program and - 2 years

12 months full-time clinical experience.- 1 year

Pre-requisites for allied-health program – 1 year

Completion of allied health program in vascular sonography 2-3 years

Bachelor’s degree in vascular technology – 4 years

MD with fellowship or 12 month clinical experience – 8 – 9 years

Minimum education requirement is 3 – 4 years.

Demand/Salary

Vascular disease is generally a condition of older patients and with the aging of America's "baby boomers", the need for qualified vascular technologists is growing. Vascular technologists are among the highest paid sonographers in the profession. In fact, a survey from the Society of Vascular Ultrasound (SVU) in 2001 revealed that almost half of Registered Vascular Technologists were making $50,000 a year or more. According to the website Salary.com, “The median expected salary for a typical Vascular Technologist in the United States is $55,071”. It is important to remember these may not reflect starting salaries for those just getting into the field.

In addition, with the completion of a bachelor’s degree program in vascular sonography such as the Oregon Institute of Technology offers, the student is provided with management and research courses designed to prepare the graduate for leadership positions in clinical laboratories, research centers and educational institutions.

Comments from Author

I have never seen a vascular technologist who is not smiling or dissatisfied by their work. Students from OIT come to the University for their clinical during their fourth year and many never leave.

Links for further Information

The Society of Vascular Ultrasound (www.svunet.org)

The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.sdms.org)

The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.ardms.org)

The Vascular Disease Foundation (www.vdf.org)

Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Professions (www.caahep.org)

Vascular Web (www.vascular.web.org)