Echocardiography

• Hands-on training
• Program offered in Cleburne
• Associate degree and optional enhanced skills certificate available
  
  Essential and Technical Standards

Cardiac Sonographer Job Outlook

Diagnostic cardiac sonographers (also known as an echocardiography technologist) use ultrasound manchines, laptops and transducers to create images of the inside of patients' hearts.  Additionally, they're responsible for maintainging all of the imaging equipment.  Since this imaging is typically non-invasive, cardiac sonogrphers are one of the first health procfessionals patients see to determine the souce of heart related issues.

Employment opportunities for diagnostic cardiac sonography are booming right now.  Even better, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that from 2014-2024, the job field will grow an unbelievable 22%.  This rate is higher than almost every other sector in the country.

Why is Cardiac Sonography Expected to Grow so Drastically?

As ultrasound and imaging technology advances, medical professionals are better able to detect complications without expensive, invasive methods.  Because of its affordability, ultrasounds are typically the first tool to use for diagnosis and becasue the number of medically insured individuals is expected to increase due to federally-mandated health reform, more people will visit medical centers for diagnosis and treatment.

What Salary Can a Doagmpstoc Cardiac Sonographer Expect?

The average salary for diagnostic sonographers refletcts the growing demand for certified professionals.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that, as of may 2016, the median national pay for these allied healthcare specialists hovered around $55,000.00 (or about $27.00 per hour).  Nationally, the annual salary for the lowest 10 percent of cardiovascular techs was $28,000.00, while the top 10% recieved nearly $90,000.00

Of course, just like any allied health career, wages and salaries vary depending the state and urban area.

For instance, cardiac sonographers in Florida could expect to earn around $58,000.00 per year.  An applicant with the same cardiac sonographer training, however, might expect to recieve around $80,000.00 per year in California.  If the professional lives in the Bay area, this wage can increse to around $100,000.00 per year.  This salary increase reflects the price of rent, which is the highest in the country.

Which Facilities Offer the Most Career Opportunities?

Diagnostic cardiac sonographers can find a range of public and private opportunities for employement, but typicaly general medical and surgical hospitals have the propensity for hiring the most cardiovascular techs.

Not only do hospitals lead in terms of hiring because the demand for the sector is high, but hospitals also have the facilities and equipment to do so.  Because hospitals are the major employer of diagnostic cardiac sonographers, the overall national average reflects an average hospital salary.

Source:  Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Salary & Career Opportunities

Dean of Instruction, Health and Public Services
Lori Moseley, MSN, RN, (254) 659-7921 or (817) 760-5920, lmoseley@hillcollege.edu

Program Coordinator
Darla Whitehead, RCS, (817) 760-5933 dwhitehead@hillcollege.edu

Echocardiography Lab support
Felicia Harris, RCS, fharris@hillcollege.edu

Faculty Support
Julie Britton, (817) 760-5921, jbritton@hillcollege.edu
Teresa Palinkas, (254) 659-7920, tpalinkas@hillcollege.edu

The process to apply for admission is a two-step, competitive process. The two-step process to enter the Echocardiography program is separate from, and in addition to, the application to Hill College. Application to Hill College and the Echocardiography (CARDIAC SONOGRAPHY) Department are required. PRIORITY FOR SELECTION IS DETERMINED BY COMPLETION OF STEP I AND II BY THE NOVEMBER 1 DEADLINE DATE OF THE PROGRAM YEAR OF ENTRY. COMPLETION OF STEP I AND II DOES NOT GUARANTEE SELECTION IN THE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (CARDIAC SONOGRAPHY) PROGRAM.

STEP I: Apply to Hill College. https://www.hillcollege.edu

• Make an appointment with the Hill College Academic Advising and Success Center
  Hill County Campus 254.659.7860 ◦ Johnson County Campus 817.760.5650 ◦Burleson Center 817.760.5545
• Submission of all official education transcripts.
• Texas Success Initiative (TSI) must be complete or in progress.

STEP II: Echocardiography Program Application requirements must be in file/postmarked by November 1:

• Complete the Health and Public Service application at hillcollege.edu/echo  
• Make an appointment with the Health Science Department. (Walk-in’s are welcome)
  1. Johnson County Campus- Julie Britton 817-760-5921 or jbritton@hillcollege.edu
• Completed/in-progress required pre-requisites with a “C” or better (BIOL 2401; BIOL 2402; PSYC 2301; HITT 1305; MATH 1314)
• Official College Transcripts showing completion/in progress with a “C” or better of the pre-requisites. Must be in the applicants file by the deadline date.
• Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 on all pre-requisites listed above and recommended courses (ENGL 1301; Elective).
• High School graduates or High School Equivalency scores (Mandatory for ALL applicants).
  1. Official High School Transcript with a date of graduation/completion or High School Equivalency scores OR
  2. Out of Country High School Transcripts must be translated into English by a certified translator. The original document must be also be submitted.
• TOEFL Procedure: Demonstrate English proficiency as an admission requirement. Refer to #6 above.
  • This may be demonstrated by:
    • 2 years of High School in the United States and its territories.  OR
    • Submission of acceptable scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Test (TOEFL) within two years of the posted deadline date of program application.

• HESI test completed before deadline dateRequest a HESI referral from the Health Science department. After you have received your referral you can schedule your test date with the Hill College Testing center 817760.5814. Cost: $50.00. 
  • Minimum passing on the following sections of the test:Composite 60% ●Math 55 % ●Reading 65%
• Professional References Submit two (2) professional references from Employers/Supervisors, Co-workers or Academic faculty. Must be on the approved Health Science reference form.
• Immunizations must be complete or in progress. 
• Current American Heart Association BLS Provider
• Applicant must have a clear criminal background. Complete the background with www.verifiedcredentials.com.  Students will need to create an account and use the following program code – BBKPC 26727.  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.