Adult Cardiac and Vascular Sonography

We were one of the first dual major bachelor Adult Cardiac and Vascular Sonography programs in Nebraska. Adult Cardiac Sonography focuses on the function of the heart. You will learn how to perform echocardiograms or ultrasonic images of a patient's heart. You will learn how to use medical technology in a way that helps physicians detect a variety of heart conditions and help patients gain knowledge, comfort and peace of mind.

In Vascular Sonography you will perform a variety of ultrasonic examinations on numerous blood vessels throughout the body (from the head to the toes). You, as a student, will use ultrasound to aid in diagnosing vascular disorders-including stroke, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and blood vessel blockages. Working in cooperation with physicians in direct patient care environments, graduates become skilled at detecting and addressing peripheral vascular disease and venous abnormalities. Are you ready to become a sonographer?

Ultrasonic Images

Adult Cardiac and Vascular Sonography is acquiring sonographic images of:

• Heart
• Legs
• Arms
• Head/ Brain
• Neck
• Abdomen

Classes and Clinical hours

The Adult Cardiac and Vascular Sonography program at Bryan provides:

• 4 year dual major program
• 43 hours of General Education courses
• 93 semester hours in Adult Cardiac and Vascular Sonography dual major
• 1,954 clinical hours are completed for graduation
• Students have access to three skills labs where they practice ultrasonic exams using a variety of cutting edge medical equipment
• Graduates meet requirements by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)

Curriculum

View the curriculum plan for the Adult Cardiac and Vascular Sonography program.

Program Goal:

 To prepare competent entry-level cardiovascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for adult echocardiography and to prepare competent entry-level cardiovascular technologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for noninvasive vascular study.

Program Outcomes: 

Upon completion of the dual major the student will be able to:

1. Competently perform as an entry level sonographer in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for adult cardiac sonography and vascular sonography. 
2. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior through sonographic practice congruent with standards of practice. 
3. Meet the eligibility requirements to apply for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exams. 
4. Interact effectively with individuals in a manner that reflects caring and acknowledges the holistic nature of individuals. 
5. Promote growth of the health professional and awareness    of health professions through education of individual groups and communities of interest.
6. Correlate current research to ensure best-practice delivery of specialty specific, quality patient care and services. 

Sonography Technical Standards

After a sufficient period of instruction, the students would be expected to perform the following technical standards:

Acquire Information

Acquires information from didactic, clinical, and technological learning experiences

• Lecture, demonstration, observation, interview and online learning

Acquires information from written, video, audio and electronic sources

• Literature search, data retrieval and electronic medical records

Examples:

• Identify and document normal and abnormal sonographic patterns of disease processes, pathology and pathophysiology of organs and areas of interest. Modify scanning protocol based on sonographic findings and differential diagnosis relevant to the sonography specialty
• Identify pertinent clinical questions and the goal of the examination
• Recognize significant clinical information and historical facts from the patient and medical records, which may impact the diagnostic examination
• Utilize examination recording devices to obtain pertinent documentation of examination findings

Critical Reasoning (Interpret and Integrate)

Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data related to patient care.

Examples:

• Review data from current and previous examinations to produce a summary of technical findings, including relevant interval changes, for the reporting physician’s reference
• Perform related measurements from sonographic images or data
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Doppler ultrasound principles, spectral analysis and color flow imaging relevant to and in the sonography specialty
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology and pathophysiology relevant to and in the sonography specialty
• Identify and document normal and abnormal sonographic patterns of disease processes, pathology and pathophysiology of organs and areas of interest. Modify scanning protocol based on sonographic findings and differential diagnosis relevant to the sonography specialty
• Apply theory content in the skills lab/clinical setting

Psychomotor/Technical Skills

Perform or assist with procedures and treatments

Examples:

• Perform sonographic examinations of organs and regions of interest according to professional and institutional protocols relevant to and in the sonography specialty
• Adjust instrument controls including examination presets, scale size, focal zone(s), overall gain, time gain compensation and frame rate to optimize image quality
• Select the correct transducer type and frequency for examination(s) being performed
• Perform related measurements from sonographic images or data
• Utilize examination recording devices to obtain pertinent documentation of examination findings
• Identify and document normal and abnormal sonographic patterns of disease processes, pathology, and pathophysiology of organs and areas of interest. Modify scanning protocol based on sonographic findings and differential diagnosis relevant to the sonography specialty
• Distinguish textures, degrees of firmness, temperature differences, pulse rate, vibrations and strength

Communication Skills

Communicate information effectively and efficiently in English with faculty, clients, families and health care constituents

Examples:

• Report client status, facilitate client teaching, and document care
• Collaborate with faculty, clients, family and health care constituents
• Participate in the exchange of information among health care constituents

Character

Demonstrate integrity, accountability and concern for self, and others

Examples:

• Accountable for actions, exercises proper judgment and completes responsibilities according to clinical guidelines and course outcomes
• Exhibit professional, sensitive and effective interactions with clients, families and healthcare constituents
• Respond professionally during stressful and/or rapidly changing situations and/or alterations in the status of a client
• Uphold ethical principles and practices of education and the profession of sonography

American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Bryan College of Health Sciences Student Code of Conduct and College Values.

Bryan College of Health Sciences is committed to providing an environment conducive to learning for all students, including students with disabilities. Accommodations are provided in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitations Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008.

Technical Standards are required for completion of a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions.

Technical Standards must be met with or without reasonable accommodations.

If you are a student with a disability who may need reasonable accommodations, please contact sarah.frankel@bryanhealth.org or call 402-481-8782.

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