Cardiovascular Technologist Programs in Kentucky
With the implementation of new sonography techniques and equipment, medical facilities throughout Kentucky continue to grow and seek new echocardiography technicians. Becoming a cardiac ultrasound technician in this state can be a rewarding career opportunity, especially if you have the necessary training and certifications.
Most employers in Kentucky prefer you to be registered with a governing organization like the AART. In order to pass the examination, you will need to undergo the correct amount of classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and certification process. Contact the Kentucky cardiac ultrasound technician schools you see here to learn more.
If you are planning on becoming a certified cardiac ultrasound technologist, then you can choose between online or campus programs. With the sonography sector of the medical field growing faster than the nation’s average occupation, your chances of finding employment in one of Kentucky’s top-notch medical labs or facilities may increase exponentially (BLS, 2013).
As with most careers in the medical industry, you will need to be able to work in a high-stress atmosphere while being proficient with ultrasound equipment, patients, charts, and physicians, which is why earning your degree in cardiac sonography is key to becoming a successful echo tech.
Echo Tech/Cardiac Ultrasound Education in Kentucky
When researching potential cardiac ultrasound programs in Kentucky, you need to review any prerequisites that need to be fulfilled before the college will take into consideration your application. Most programs insist you complete courses like medical terminology or physiology before you choose a degree program.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health offers accreditation to programs that will thoroughly prepare you for the licensing exam upon graduation. The following programs are often accredited at colleges in Kentucky:
- Associate of Science in cardiovascular technology/sonography
- Associate of Science in diagnostic cardiac sonography
- Associate of Applied Science in echocardiography sonography/diagnostic cardiac sonography
Associate degree programs generally entail two years of classroom and clinical training; while bachelor degree programs tend to take around four years of coursework. Some colleges are now offering master degree programs, such as the Master of Science in radiologic sciences, which take six to eight years to complete.
Coursework may cover a wide range of topics, including pathophysiology, ultrasound physics, and vascular ultrasound. If you need financial assistance to help pay for college, the federal government offers a variety of grants, such as the FAFSA, and work-study programs that you can utilize, depending on your financial situation. You may also consider taking out a low-interest loan through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which offers loans regardless of your income.
Echo Tech Careers in Kentucky
With a high demand for cardiac ultrasound technicians at medical facilities, the BLS states that approximately 740 cardiac sonographers work in Kentucky, potentially increasing to 1,029 by the year 2022 (BLS, 2013). This dramatic growth may provide you with a number of employment opportunities in physicians’ offices, labs, medical facilities, hospitals, and diagnostic labs, offering you career stability in the medical industry. With the average annual wage for cardiac sonographers being $57,230 in Kentucky, you may ascertain a higher annual wage by becoming certified in the state (BLS, 2013).
In order to become certified as a cardiac sonographer, you will need to take an examination that is offered through the ARDMS, which allows you to focus on fetal, adult, or pediatric echocardiography. The ARDMS requires you to fulfill certain criteria before you can take the echocardiography exam, including earning a degree from an accredited college.
Submit your requests for more information to the ultrasound tech schools in Kentucky to get started today.