Cardiac Technician Careers and Degrees
Becoming a Cardiac Ultrasound/Echo Technician in West Virginia
If you are considering a career in the healthcare industry but you aren’t certain about exactly which career to choose, you may want to look into the field of ultrasound technology. The healthcare field is changing constantly and quickly. Ultrasound technicians, also known as echocardiogram technicians, spend their time administering scans that produce valuable information for the rest of the medical team.
Patient care is at the very highest level when all members of the team, including the family, work together. The echo technician is one of the most vital parts of that team. With the tremendous growth in healthcare across the country, ultrasound technicians in West Virginia will be part of this growth.
Contact the schools listed below to learn more about your options for becoming a cardiac ultrasound tech in West Virginia today.
Effective communication skills are a must for cardiac ultrasound techs, as you will be responsible for analyzing the images as well as communicating the data to other healthcare professionals. Together, with you as a respected member of the healthcare team, an effective treatment plan will be developed for the patient. If you enjoy working with other people, working with a flexible, high-demand schedule, and enjoy helping others, ultrasound technology may be the perfect choice.
Echocardiogram/Ultrasound Schools in West Virginia
West Virginia is a small state with a great need in the field of healthcare. There are several options for ultrasound technician schools including traditional campus settings as well as online settings. An ultrasound technician is a trained professional who administers scans to patients. These images are then read and analyzed for the rest of the medical team including doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Programs that offer training in ultrasound imaging include a wide variety of broad coursework as well as coursework that is specific to imaging technology. Academic coursework will include courses in anatomy, physiology, medical ethics, recordkeeping, and imaging technology.
Clinical coursework will include hands-on training of the most current imaging technology and machines available. If you would like more information about the various programs available, contact the schools you see listed on our site to get program details.
West Virginia does not require any type of licensure in order to be a practicing ultrasound technician. However, employers generally require certification through the AAMT, or American Association of Radiologic Technology, before hiring. The AAMT requires that applicants have a rigorous education from an accredited college, that the applicant pass the ethical requirements standards, and that the applicant make a passing score on the competency exam. Once certification is achieved, it must be renewed every two years with continuing education requirements.
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography is another medical organization that carries rigorous requirements for certification. The certification exam for ARDMS requires a passing competency score showing proficiency with diagnostic medical sonography tools and equipment. Before registering with the AMDRS, the applicant must meet educational and experience requirements.
Working as a Cardiac Ultrasound/Echocardiogram Technician in West Virginia
Working day to day as an echocardiogram technician can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, careers. As an ultrasound technician, you will work with people every day; patients, doctors, nurses, families, and many other medical professionals. As a trusted and respected member of the team, you will be gathering some of the most important information about the patient in an effort to provide the highest level of medical care possible.
According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), the mean salary for echo technicians in West Virginia is $55,120. This salary will vary depending on the region, experience and education of the applicant.
There are many different places to work including private doctor’s offices, hospitals, radiology clinics, specialty clinics and urgent care centers. For more information on this rewarding and quickly changing field, please request more information from the schools listed below.
West Virginia
West Virginia University Hospital Departments of Rad Tech and Nutrition (Morgantown, WV)
Programs Offered:
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate
Radiography Certificate