The Echocardiography and Vascular Technology Programs provide the training and skills needed to enter this in-demand field in the medical community. Both echocardiography and vascular technology are specialized skills that involve examining a patient’s heart through ultrasonography. By partnering with local hospitals, these programs provide hands-on training with small class sizes that offer students the one-on-one training they need to be successful.
Graduates will enter the field with the training needed to work with cardiac care teams by performing diagnostic examinations aiding in recognizing abnormalities in the heart, allowing physicians to provide the best care needed.
Contacts:
Darla Whitehead, MS, BS, RCS
Echocardiography Program Coordinator
dwhitehead@hillcollege.edu
817.760.5933
Rhonda Bradshaw, RVS, RCS
Vascular Technology Curriculum Coordinator
rbradshaw@hillcollege.edu
Echocardiography Student Handbook
Echocardiography Program Application
All Prospective students must complete the Echocardiography online application and supporting documents by the posted deadline date.
Echocardiography Application Process & Requirements
As part of the application all students need to submit the following immunizations:
2 MMR’s or positive serological titer
2 Varicella injection series or positive serological titer
3 HEP B injection series or positive serological titer
Tetanus (within last 10 years)
Tdap (once as an adult)
Seasonal Influenza
Criminal Background requirement
Applicants need to complete the SurScan background check by the posted deadline date using the following link: SurScan for Hill College.
For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.
AFTER selection the student will be required to submit a physical (on the Health and Community Services approved form) and a negative 2 step TB results.
Candidates must be aware that clinical facilities may have other requirements than those listed above.Program Location and Deadline Date
Next program entry: Spring 2026
Application/document submission timeline: June 1 - November 1, 2025
HESI testing deadline for completion: November 1, 2025
HESI test fee: $50.00
HESI minimum passing: Composite (Cumulative) 60%; Math 55%; Reading 65%
Candidates will have two (2) attempts during a testing period. The candidate must contact the Hill College Testing Center to schedule the HESI test. The candidate will be given 4 hours to complete the test.
Prior to scheduling the HESI A2 test the candidate must create a student account with Evolve/Elsevier at https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/.
- Must be registered in Echocardiography and/or Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Must have an Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Evidence of TSI completion
- Criminal Background Check from Verified Credentials
- CPR-American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider
- Drug Screen
- Complete Physical Exam
- Documentation of the following immunizations: current and up to date
2 MMR'S, 2 Varicella(chicken pox), Tdap, Seasonal influenza, Tetanus within the last 10 years, Hep B series, Covid 19 - 2 Professional References
- Vascular Technology Essay Questionnaire
- Veteran status - extra points
As part of the application all students need to submit the following immunizations:
2 MMR’s or positive serological titer
2 Varicella injection series or positive serological titer
3 HEP B injection series or positive serological titer
Tetanus (within last 10 years)
Tdap (once as an adult)
Seasonal Influenza
Criminal Background requirement
Applicants need to complete the SurScan background check by the posted deadline date using the following link: SurScan for Hill College.
For students in this course who may have a criminal background, please be advised that the background could keep you from being licensed by the State of Texas. If you have a question about your background and licensure, please speak with your faculty member or the department chair. You also have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.
AFTER selection the student will be required to submit a physical (on the Health and Community Services approved form) and a negative 2 step TB results.
Candidates must be aware that clinical facilities may have other requirements than those listed above.Lab science courses- Lab science courses must be within 5 years of the posted deadline date. No exceptions.
Next program entry: Fall 2025
Application/document submission timeline: June 1 - July 27
Echocardiography CAAHEP Program Accreditation
| Year | Pass Rate | Retention | Positive Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 100% | 100% | 90% |
| 2019 | *84% | 91.67% | 90.91% |
| 2020 | 100% | 85% | 94.12% |
| 2021 | 90.9% | 92.31% | 91.67% |
| 2022 | 100% | 100% | 83.3% |
| 2023 | 89% | 100% | 83.3% |
| * COVID closures created testing difficulties for students. | |||
Vascular Technology CAAHEP Program Accreditation
The Hill College Vascular Technology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on education in cardiovascular technology.
Accreditation Approval Letter 2024