cardiovascular tech info !

walkinonsunshine · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Maryland

I am interested in becoming a cardiovascular tech. I have been researching this on-line for about a month now. Can anyone tell me if you can become certified as just a CVT or do you also have to be ARRT cert. I know I won't make as much money, only being certified in one area of this field, but I'm already 46 years old with a family, mortgage, bills etc.
Thank you for any help with this !!

I love this site, very informative.

hjhogle · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 5:24 am Post subject:

I'm not sure how many CVT's post here ... but

Try this
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos100.htm

From US Dept of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 'Sources of Additional Information' link might also be helfpul.

hjh, RT

walkinonsunshine · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Maryland

Thank you for your help !!!!

Wassim · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: CA, USA

Hi walkinonsunshine and All,

Well I am about to start my education as a CVT, so we have some stuff in common. But I have some questions for you:

Where are you located? Did you check your local community college and see if they have a program? I think you should.

Here in San Francisco Bay Area, there are several schools/institutions that offer an Associates of Science in Cardiovascular Technology and certificates as well.

My school, City College of San Francisco, offers this program but to get into the program is the hard part. All medical programs, specially radiology and nursing are so impacted that for a class of 20, you get 800 applicants showing up to the orientation sessions.

Now the important thing to consider is accreditation. Try your best to attend a program that is accredited by the organizations that do that. Colleges usually are. This will insure your passage to quick employment when the time comes by.

Now for the life of me, I do remember seeing a web site that list all sorts of CVT schools all over the USA, but I just can't find it right this second, so I promise you to find it and send you a link soon. For now check these links for extra information:

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography:
http://www.sdms.org/default.asp
Check the links on the left hand side of the page. Great stuff for starters.

http://www.ardms.org
Check the Student Resources section, also great stuff there. I think the link to the schools was someplace in that section.

I also wish you would post some of the sites you found so that all of us can check them out.

Cordially

Wassim

walkinonsunshine · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Maryland

Hi Wassim,

Thanks for the info. I checked out the sites you suggested. I found some info on rtstudent.com . I live in Maryland, the closest community college is Howard Comm. College that has a cardiovascular program. Which is about 2 hrs. away from me. I did notice a program in VA, I'll have to get back to post who that school is.

Good luck and keep me posted how it's going !!! Wish you the best.
Thanks again for the help

echo · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 15

Good news! There is an on-line Echocardiography available at www.academyofultrasound.com. CHECK IT OUT!! You can complete the 18-month course on-line and continue working (if you choose) at the same time, spending time with your family. I know it can be a little "scary" starting in a new field with the financial and family obligations some of us have.

Anyway, just look at this program. It may provide schedule flexibility and the income (salaries anywhere from mid $30's and up). This sight also provides a salary comparison for the field.
_________________
Echo

www.academyofultrasound.com

hjhogle · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject:

Well, you should be tipped off to the fact that this "academy" is NOT an accredited program by the fact that the word is mis-spelled on their website. In addition, the link to "Accredidation" on the left is not functional.

You'd be better served to spend your money elsewhere.

For a list of ACCREDITED programs, try on the CAAHEP website here:
http://www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.aspx

For more information on ultrasound, try ARDMS here:
http://www.ardms.org/default.asp?ContentID=1&menubar=1

hjh, RT

walkinonsunshine · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Maryland

So if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is....lol.

Thanks for your help though !!!!!

hjhogle · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:31 am Post subject:

Walkin - I trained in the Wash/Balto area and worked in Baltimore prior to moving north (and then south and then north).

Where are you looking? Back in the '80's I did US with MIUT (which was housed at Hopkins at the time). I think I still know someone associated with them. I can check with him if you like (just send me your email).

hjh, RT