If you like the idea of using advanced machinery to potentially save a life, then echocardiography may be the career for you.  Echocardiography technicians specialize in electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, Holter monitor procedures, and create echocardiograms of the heart using ultrasound equipment.  If you've ever seen these procedures done, you know that these technicians make it look simple, but they're highly trained in echocardiography schools.

Training requirements for echocardiographers vary from state to state.  The most common path to becoming an echocardiographer is to obtain an Associate's Degree in Cardiac Sonography.  Students typically enroll in a two- to four-year program at an accredited echocardiography school.  These programs will typically include the study of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the organ systems in the human body.  Students will learn how to perform echocardiography, and to recognize the EKG patterns of infarction and arrhythmia. An echocardiography school will also give you the necessary skills you need to perform a cardiac ultrasound, evaluate diagnostics, document results, keep patients safe, communicate therapeutically, teach patients, and respond appropriately to an emergency. The final portion of an echocardiography program typically includes supervised experiences in the clinical environment in which students will complete competencies, logs, and evaluations.

At the conclusion of an echocardiography program, graduates will be ready to obtain professional certification, which is required in some states. Many states also require that graduates obtain a license or pass a national exam.  If you study diligently and practice your skills, you'll be ready to apply for an entry-level position as an echocardiographer in no time!

Be Still My Heart
So what exactly does an echocardiography school ready you for?  Echocardiographers have an important and fascinating job.  Each day they perform specialized procedures using advanced equipment.  Before they begin an exam, an echocardiographer prepares by checking equipment and inventorying and restocking supplies, reviewing patient schedules, reading physician orders for specific examinations, setting up recording equipment, and entering patient information into the system.  Once that's done, they will prepare the patients by positioning them, spreading gels, attaching electrodes to the chest and equipment, adjusting equipment controls, and verifying wave signals.  Electrocardiographers are also experts at reducing patient anxiety by making sure they understand the procedures and answering any questions the patient may have.

An echocardiography school will prepare you to obtain quality images by positioning and repositioning the transducer, monitor the display screen, listen to signals, adjust equipment for beam strength and focus, detect artifacts that mimic abnormalities, and record images. You'll also learn to process exam information by printing graphics and data, calculate the measurements of the heart wall, chamber size, and direction of blood flow, and compare the measurements to the norms. 

Employment of echocardiographers is expected to grow quickly over the next decade, so job prospects will be excellent! The starting salary is usually around $28,000, but can grow to over $50,000 with experience.

If you're ready to begin a new and exciting career, find an echocardiography school near you today!