Cardiovascular Concentration
In this track, you will learn adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, and vascular ultrasound exams. As a diagnostic medical sonographer with a cardiovascular concentration (also know as an echocardiographer) you will learn how to produce images of organs, tissues and blood vessels as well as 2-D or 3-D images of the heart and its chambers. This track is often referred to as the ‘echo’ track. Cardiovascular sonographers tend to work in a cardiac unit that is generally only open during daytime business hours. There is also an opportunity to work a position in a clinic in this field where there are no call or weekend hours. You work very closely with a cardiologist or vascular surgeon to perform echo exams and/or go to surgery and replace heart valves.
This field is very specialized and there are very few pediatric echo techs. In fact, we like to call you (if you get into the program) a unicorn as you are so unique. The number of students who complete pediatric echo is limited so students get the best clinical sites possible. Those not completing pediatric echo will take courses to strengthen their interventional skillset in the adult and vascular world
Students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography after three consecutive years and be eligible to take ARDMS certification examinations in:
- Adult Echocardiography
- Pediatric Echocardiography
- Vascular Technology
- Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
*Depending on interest in pediatric echo and acceptance into the clinical aspect of the program
Bellin College Mission Program Philosophy **Note: This student learning goal only applies to those completing the pediatric echocardiography specialty. The performance of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Bellin College is reflected through program effectiveness data defined by our accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP). Program effectiveness data includes: Information regarding college enrollment, persistence, credentialing, diversity, and job placement (employment) rates for the college as a whole are available on the Statistics page. Information concerning the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography is maintained on the website as a requirement of its accrediting body CAAHEP. Program Effectiveness Data can be found here. For more information regarding program effectiveness data visit the CAAHEP website at www.caahep.org. The Bellin College (program) Guide – Handbook and Catalog summarizes campus information pertaining to College resources, policies and procedures as well as student services and academic planning. A list of sample academic plans for the Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program can be found within the College’s Handbook and Catalog: https://catalog.bellincollege.edu/degrees The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program at Bellin College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). CAAHEP Graduates of the program are eligible for certification through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Visit Bellin College’s Accreditation page for more information: https://www.bellincollege.edu/about/accreditation/
Bellin College is dedicated to educating healthcare professionals through innovation, leadership, and service that promotes lifelong learning and excellence.
In association with the mission of Bellin College, it is the intention of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography to educate medical imaging students who will function as proficient healthcare professionals and team members possessing a constant concern for quality patient care and technical competency. It is the school’s intention to maintain the highest program standards, thus ensuring accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission guaranteeing graduates their eligibility for examination by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
Student Learning Goals
Outcomes
1. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the adult cardiac concentration.
Cognitive:
1.1 Obtain, review and integrate pertinent patient data and history to facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
1.2 Demonstrate critical thinking skills during the review of adult echocardiography cases to identify, describe, and predict diseases.
Psychomotor:
1.3 Perform sonographic procedures appropriately, timely, and accurately recording all anatomic and physiologic information for interpretation by a physician.
1.4 Document and present complete and accurate sonographic findings.
Affective:
1.5 Functions effectively as part of the healthcare team.
2. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the pediatric cardiac sonography concentration.
Cognitive:
2.1 Demonstrate critical thinking to apply knowledge and clinical history to the sonographic exam.
2.2 Identify anatomy, variants, and sonographic appearances of normal and abnormal cardiac structures.
Psychomotor:
2.3 Records, analyzes, and processes diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
2.4 Performs appropriate procedures and records anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
Affective:
2.5 Communicate effectively with patients, coworkers, and interpreting providers.
2.6 Demonstrate the ability to practice sonography with ergonomic principles in mind.
2.7 Acts in a professional and ethical manner.
3. To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the vascular sonography concentration.
Cognitive:
3.1 Demonstrate knowledge to obtain and apply clinical history information to sonographic exam.
3.2 Demonstrate critical thinking skills during the performance of sonographic procedures to provide optimum diagnostic services and identify, describe, and predict diseases.
Psychomotor:
3.3 Perform sonographic procedures appropriately, timely, and accurately recording all anatomic and physiologic information for interpretation by a physician.
3.4 Appropriately modify the protocol of examinations to accurately complete vascular examinations.
Affective:
3.5 Provide compassionate patient care and education to promote overall well-being.
3.6 Exercises discretion and judgement in the performance of sonographic exams.
4. Graduates will demonstrate entry-level competency in echo and vascular sonography procedures.
4.1 Perform quality diagnostic examinations.
4.2 Demonstrate quality work as an entry-level sonographer.
4.3 Prepared to enter the profession as a registered sonographer.
4.4 Fully prepared as a high-quality entry level sonographer.
5. Graduates will portray leadership skills.
5.1 Graduates will actively engage in professional development activities, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and leadership growth.
5.2 Served in a leadership role for a college or community event.
9355 – 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
P:727-210-2350
F:727-210-2354
E: mail@caahep.org
Our program will provide you with excellent opportunities, resources, and state of the art facilities to excel your academic and clinical experience. In addition, our unique program will offer you:
- Didactic work in adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography and vascular
- Clinical rotations in adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography and vascular clinics or hospitals
- Assigned clinical sites around the Green Bay area— you don’t have to find your own!
- An emphasis on leadership and management
- A bachelor’s degree in THREE years in the cardiovascular specialty
- A full-time three-semester academic year
- Small student to faculty ratio for individual learning
- Direct entry into the program; once you are accepted into Bellin College you are also accepted into your program. We do not maintain a wait list.
- Ergonomics course for safe sonography practices taught by a licensed athletic trainer
- Sonography lab with multiple ultrasound machines.
- Multiple imaging phantoms (objects simulating anatomical structures of the body and designed to mimic human tissue) to enhance learning.
View the academic Cardiovascular Concentration plan
Questions?
Please contact Bellin College Admissions at Admissions@bellincollege.edu,
(920) 433-6650, or use our online contact form.
