Vascular Technician Programs in Massachusetts
These days it can be extremely hard to find good, comprehensive information on certain schools, especially ones that offer ultrasound and sonography programs. Worry no more! UltrasoundTechSchools.com has a large database to cater to a wide range of educational needs in diagnostic sonography and vascular technology.
Receiving your Vascular Technician Training in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a few schools that offer programs in vascular technology training. Schools like Sanford-Brown College’s campus in Boston offer vascular technology education through two tracks usually: certificate/diploma and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. You can get the certificate/diploma in less than a year, since it gives the basics of the field; courses are in subjects like sonography, cardiovascular technology, medical terminology, and vascular pathophysiology. On the other hand, if you decide to go with the A.A.S., prepare for a two-year journey in which you’ll take a host of science-related and general educational requirement courses in addition to the program’s core subjects. The A.A.S. also prepares you for a life as a vascular tech with some clinicals that stress hands-on experience in simulated workplaces.
Vascular Technician Licensing in Massachusetts
Massachusetts, like other states in the union, does not require licensing or certification for vascular technologists. So, once you get your certificate/diploma or degree, you can start applying for jobs. However, bear in mind that employers will find you more favorable if you have a certification, most notably the Registered Vascular Technologist certification. The RVT is obtainable by passing the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) national board examination, which is administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). With the RVT, you are telling employers that you are very serious about your career in vascular technology via adherence to a certain set of professional standards. Also worth mentioning is the Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Although not as popular as the RVT, the RVS is easier to obtain due to lesser requirements.
Career Outlook for Vascular Technicians in Massachusetts
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), vascular technologists in Massachusetts in 2012 earned a median yearly wage of $66,300, which is $14,200 more than the national median income for the same profession. Also, the top 10 percent of Massachusetts vascular techs made $94,000, almost $14,000 more than the number on a national scale. The BLS expects a 30 percent growth in the number of vascular techs in the state between 2010 and 2020. This corresponds with the 30 percent growth rate that the agency expects nationwide within the same time period. Both growth rates eclipse that of several other professions in the States, and they indicate a healthy amount of demand for professionals in this field. And you can take advantage of this boom by enrolling in a Massachusetts vascular tech program as soon as possible.