Echocardiographers need 2-4 years of college training and may require licensure or certification. Educational requirements increase for more complex procedures or working with certain populations. Large cardiology offices and hospitals hire echocardiographers, and excellent people skills are necessary to put patients at ease.
Individuals who want to become an echocardiographer complete two to four years of college training and may need licensure or certification. Each region and facility that hires these specialists may differ in what they require of employees. Generally, educational requirements increase if echocardiographers perform more complex procedures, such as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), or if they work with certain populations, such as pregnant women and children with heart conditions. Echocardiographers also need to have a high level of patient comfort and skill.
Many of the programs to become an echocardiographer are two years in duration and are offered at medical technology schools or junior colleges. There are also an increasing number of four-year programs, and these are more appropriate for echocardiographers who wish to work in more complex areas of this field. At any school, students can expect to learn to operate ultrasound equipment, assess the heart’s structures, and learn a variety of medical procedures and technologies. To choose the best training facilities, students should verify that specialized echocardiography programs are offered by accredited schools and comply with licensing or registration agencies.
The basic two years of study to become an echocardiographer will likely focus primarily on adult cardiac ultrasound. People who want to work with different populations or perform more advanced procedures are sometimes best served by a four-year program that offers the opportunity to specialize. Some specialty areas are TEE and fetal or pediatric echocardiography. Some people with only two-year degrees and on-the-job training also work in these fields.
Where a person lives dictates what steps are needed beyond education to get work. Sometimes a person who wants to become an echocardiographer must obtain a license to practice in the field. Others are encouraged to join registries that attest to their abilities at a certain level. Echocardiographers can decide which of these steps are necessary as they progress through and complete an educational program.
There are several places to find work when a person becomes an echocardiographer. Large cardiology offices and hospitals hire these employees. Pediatric cardiologists may need specialists who can perform TEE, fetal echoes, and pediatric echoes. Some echocardiographers learn more on the job because they work for physicians who are trained echocardiologists. This means that they have completed significant studies in echocardiology in addition to being experts in cardiology.
Another requirement for work in this field is an inherent comfort in interacting with patients. It can take half an hour or more to perform an echo and, except with TEE, the patient is conscious, talking and may be nervous. Cultivating excellent people skills is important to help put patients at ease.
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