Hill College Vascular Program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

  Jessyca Brown
  Friday, February 23, 2024 12:18 PM
  Academics

Cleburne, TX

Earlier this year, the Hill College Vascular Program was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP; www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT).

The JRT-CVT site visit at Hill College for CAAHEP accreditation was conducted on October 20, 2023. Program Coordinator Darla Whitehead, Instructor of the Vascular Program Rhonda Bradshaw, Dean of Health and Public Service Dr. Agapito Flores Jr., Vice President of Student Learning and Success Irene Accomando along with students and alumni were all interviewed during the visit. 

“Darla Whitehead and Rhonda Bradshaw did an excellent job preparing for the visit by providing program data and curriculum,” said Dr. Flores. 

“We have worked diligently for the last two years to obtain our accreditation. Accreditation benefits our students and increases opportunities for employment,” said Whitehead. 

The CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions. CAAHEP accredited programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure that they meet the standards and guidelines of each profession. Graduating from a CAAHEP accredited program is often required to receive certification or licensing in many healthcare fields. 

This accreditation guarantees that students receive the highest level of instruction and ensures that they graduate fully prepared to enter the field of vascular technology. It also provides employers the assurance that individuals who have graduated from Hill College’s Vascular Program received a quality education and that the program meets the standards of the profession. 

“An accreditation elevates the level of educational standards for the student and educator. It is an asset that will make a significant difference in future employment and higher education,” said Bradshaw.

The accreditation process benefits institutions of higher education through self and peer evaluation and through the opportunity for continuous improvement. It provides outside quality assurance for programs as well as ensuring that they maintain current curriculum requirements. 

The Vascular Technology (VT) Certification Program at Hill College offers students who have already begun their career in sonography or echocardiography to further invest in their future. Completion of the certification program provides graduates the opportunity to enter the field with an advanced education and the skills necessary to become registered vascular technicians.

Registration for the VT program opens in June each year for the fall semester. The certification program is two semesters, fall and spring, including 320 clinical hours. For more information on the Vascular Program at Hill College, visit the Health & Public Services Pathway at https://www.hillcollege.edu under Courses & Programs.