Vascular Technician Programs in Louisiana
It isn’t the easiest thing to find information on vascular technologist degree programs. However, we have compiled the most comprehensive and helpful information around at UltrasoundTechnicianSchools.com. So let us help you get started by finding the information you need to start your education today!
Receiving Your Vascular Technician Training in Louisiana
In Louisiana, there are a few schools that offer vascular technician training. Since most schools tend to be in more populated areas, New Orleans is home to most of the vascular tech programs in Louisiana. The training you will receive at any of these institutions meets certain standards only the highest professionals in the field of vascular sonography and echocardiography approve of. Most schools will offer an Associate of Science degree, which consists of a two-year curriculum. Some schools offer a more thorough, four-year Bachelor’s degree. In either program, you will learn how to use imaging technology like echocardiogram or ultrasounds to diagnose heart problems. Core courses include electrophysiology, cardiovascular physiology, clinical cardiovascular medicine, and ultrasound physics. Related subjects include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and health care law and ethics.
Vascular Technician Licensing in Louisiana
Like other states in the union, Louisiana does not license or require licensing of cardiovascular technologists. However, employers place premium on job candidates who got a certification after graduation, since it confirms the individual’s dedication to the field. The two prominent certifications for vascular techs are the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) and the Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) credential. While the RVT—administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)—requires that you take at least one vascular tech course from an accredited program before taking the two-part examination, Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) only requires a high school diploma for the CCT, which has an echocardiography focus.
Career Outlook for Vascular Technicians in Louisiana
As a vascular tech in Louisiana, you are more likely to work in a physician’s office, medical or diagnostic laboratory, hospital, or outpatient care facility. You may work overnight, evenings, or weekends if you are at a facility that requires assistance with diagnosing and treating patients in emergencies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median annual salary of $37,800 for vascular techs working in Louisiana in 2012, with the top 10 percent making $60,200. According to the BLS, there were 910 vascular techs in the state in 2010, and the agency expects a 25 percent growth rate—much faster than the average for all U.S. occupations—between 2010 and 2020. Get enrolled in a cardiovascular technician program in Louisiana as soon as possible to take advantage of this growing sector.