Cardiovascular Technologist Programs in Maine
Because of the need for healthcare facilities to provide medical access to residents across the state, Maine offers a wide range of employment opportunities for certified cardiac ultrasound technicians. Also known as echocardiography technologists, cardiac technicians assist physicians with performing non-invasive cardiac procedures, utilizing up-to-date imaging equipment. As a cardiac sonographer, you will need to successfully work in a fast-paced work environment.
Physicians may call on you to prepare patients for procedures and perform maintenance on and operate the diagnostic imaging equipment. You may also be in charge of reviewing diagnostic charts and recording your findings.
With the medical industry growing faster than the national average, you can count on job stability and career advancement by earning your degree, ascertaining a license, and gaining work experience. To increase your chances of finding employment and readying yourself for the certification exam, you should enter a program that is certified by a governing healthcare association, such as The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Echo Tech/Cardiac Ultrasound Education in Maine
Admission requirements for sonography programs in Maine may include the completion of coursework in medical terminology and anatomy. You may choose to enter into a cardiac imaging certificate program, which entails the completion of an intense one-year program, but you need to first graduate with an associate’s degree in an applicable medical field, such as medical sonography.
With the cardiovascular field growing, many institutes are now offering bachelor and master’s degrees in radiologic sciences, which can increase your chances of career advancement in the future. Bachelor degree programs tend to take four years to complete; while master degree programs require six years of educational training.
As with any medical program, you will need to take both classroom and clinical training before you can graduate. Your clinicals are meant to provide you with the hands-on experience and technical knowledge you need to pass your credentialing examination. Coursework may cover applied sciences, vascular technology procedures, and non-invasive or invasive cardiovascular procedures.
If you need assistance paying for school, you may be eligible for a federal grant like the FAFSA. You can also take advantage of federal work-study or loan programs, such as the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
Echo Tech Careers in Maine
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 250 echocardiography sonographers work in the state of Maine (BLS, 2013). With employment for the sonography industry expected to grow by 39 percent over the next few years, medical facilities may open up an additional 98 positions for potential cardiac technicians (BLS, 2013). To increase your chances of finding employment, you should consider getting your license in echocardiography. The echo tech examination issued by The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography will show you hold a proficiency in current cardiac sonography techniques, including:
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imagery
- Electrocardiography
- Doppler ultrasound
- Echocardiography
Most employers will only consider your application if you have obtained your echocardiography license and are registered with The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, which may increase your starting salary. Recent studies show that the average annual wage for echocardiography technicians in Maine is $71,710 (BLS, 2013). By proving to employers you are registered in the state as a certified cardiac sonographer, you increase your potential to earnings, which is why earning your degree in cardiac ultrasound technology is essential to becoming a successful echocardiography technologist in Maine.
Contact the schools offering Echocardiography tech programs in Maine to learn more today.