Cardiac Technician Careers and Degrees
Overview of Cardiac Ultrasound (Echocardiography) Programs in New Mexico
A well-paid and growing profession, cardiac ultrasound technicians are in high demand across the country, as well as in southwestern states like New Mexico. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), echo techs enjoy a mean wage of $66,170 a year in New Mexico. That’s more than $31 an hour.
If you’d like to know more about this field, request program information from the echo tech schools in New Mexico listed below.
A medical sonographer or cardiovascular tech is responsible for operating imaging equipment that provides images to medical professionals. An echo tech takes pictures of a person’s internal organs and tissues, and a doctor examines those pictures to determine whether the person is healthy or requires medical attention. Cardiac echo techs specialize in making images of the heart.
If you’re searching for a job with steady growth potential, becoming an echo tech is a profession to consider. According to a recent article from The Taos News, the health care sector is a major force in job creation in New Mexico. Further, the occupational outlook for echo techs from the BLS suggests an impressive 39% growth is expected for the profession in the next decade.
When you train in an echo tech program in New Mexico, you’ll have the opportunity to work in different facets of echocardiography with jobs that include cardiac sonographer, cardiology technologist, and cardiovascular technician.
Echo Tech/Cardiac Ultrasound Education in New Mexico
The state of New Mexico features a variety of learning options for your echo tech degree. You may choose from a B.S. program in a four-year format, an AAS that will take two years, or a certificate of completion requiring somewhere between a year or two of study. Your current educational background and work experience will influence your choice.
If you have a 2-year allied health degree, you’ll probably want to enter a cardiac ultrasound certificate program. If you have no prior background in radiologic technology, you might want to consider a longer option leading to an AAS or BS degree.
Some of the classes you may see in your program include Introduction to Sonography, Technical and Scientific Communication, and Introduction to Psychology. Other programs may feature classes like Introduction to Vascular Technology and Fundamentals of Academic Reading.
It’s a good idea to look at financial aid as you apply to your program, and you may qualify for financial assistance from the federal government’s college loan program. New Mexico also offers its Health Professional Loan Repayment Program through the NM Higher Education Department.
Echo Tech Careers in New Mexico
Becoming a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is also an important step to take as you start applying for jobs. As you inquire about echo tech programs at schools around New Mexico, you may want to ask if the program is designed to help you gain the knowledge necessary to pass the ARDMS test.
Also, upon graduation, you’ll want to take a look at the examination given by Cardiovascular Credentialing International and membership with the American Society of Echocardiography. It’s important to tap into as many professional resources and organizations as possible. Your program may also feature a clinical internship, where you’ll have the opportunity to build valuable professional relationships.
Most echo techs find work in hospitals, but there are also jobs available in physician’s offices and educational facilities, as well as laboratories and specialized clinics like those that deal with cardiovascular health. According to BLS data, the greatest number of jobs for echo techs center around the Albuquerque area. However, if you’re looking for the highest wages for echo techs in the state, you might want to look east in Santa Fe.
Regardless of where you want to work, the first step is an education. Contact the cardiac ultrasound programs in New Mexico listed below for more information.