Vascular Technician Programs in South Dakota
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Receiving your Vascular Technician Training in South Dakota
Located in Sioux Falls, the Southeast Technical Institute (STI) is the only educational institution in South Dakota with a vascular technology program. Featuring a two-year curriculum, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Vascular Ultrasound Technology will train you on how to perform a variety of non-invasive diagnostic medical procedures by using high-frequency sound waves. Core subjects in the A.A.S. program include vascular pathophysiology, patient care techniques, vascular anatomy, and cardiovascular ultrasound, in addition to prerequisites like college algebra, applied physics, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. You’ll also take a pair of vascular ultrasound clinicals for hands-on experience in a simulated environment.
Vascular Technician Licensing in South Dakota
Like other areas of the United States, South Dakota does not have any licensing or certification requirements for vascular technologists. However, it is recommended that you at least get the Registered Vascular Technologist certification. You can get it by passing the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) national board examination, which is administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). There’s also the Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) certification for consideration. Administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), the RVS only requires that you have at least a high school diploma, so it does not have the more stringent requirements of the RVT, which demands enrollment in an accredited program. However, it is because of such requirements that the RVS is more highly esteemed. Employers lean towards candidates with certifications, particularly RVT, because it shows commitment to certain standards in vascular technology.
Career Outlook for Vascular Technicians in South Dakota
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), vascular technologists based in South Dakota in 2012 earned a median annual salary of $45,500, with the top 10 percent taking home $62,100. Although the BLS did not report the number of vascular techs in South Dakota, the agency expects relatively explosive growth rate of 29 percent between 2010 and 2020 for the profession on a national scale. This is a rate much faster than the average for all professions in the U.S. As a South Dakota vascular tech, you can expect to work in variety of workplaces—from state and local government agencies to hospitals and health care centers. Overall, the field has a bright outlook, and you can take advantage of this vibrant section of healthcare by enrolling in the STI vascular tech program as soon as possible.