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Adult Echocardiography Program

Adult Echocardiography Program

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Learn how to become a Cardiac Sonographer

The Adult Echocardiography Program at Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospitals Cardiovascular Institute is a certificate-level, 52-week training program that prepares students to enter the healthcare field as skilled entry-level cardiac sonographers. Graduates may work in a variety of allied healthcare settings, from large hospital centers to small outpatient clinics, performing diagnostic ultrasound examinations on the adult heart.

The program consists of didactic classroom, hands-on laboratory, and clinical externship experience with coursework designed to build upon previous classes.

The Cardiovascular Institute utilizes multiple Baylor Scott & White facilities for clinical externship training with a 1:1 clinical instructor to student ratio, which provides an excellent clinical education for each student. Experienced instructors, sophisticated audiovisual (A/V) equipment and classrooms, and a challenging didactic schedule combined with real-world clinical experience make the Cardiovascular Institute a competitive career choice in the Allied Health field of Adult Echocardiography.

Baylor Scott & White the Heart Hospitals Cardiovascular Institute Adult Echocardiography Progam is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Curriculum

The Adult Echocardiography program is a certificate-level, 51-week program divided into three semesters 15-17 weeks in length—Fall, Spring and Summer. The cardiac sonographer training program consists of didactic classroom, hands-on laboratory and clinical externship experience with coursework designed to build upon previous courses.

The Adult Echocardiography Program is CAAHEP accredited as of August 2021.

Faculty

J. Michael DiMaio, MD, Medical Director.

J. Michael DiMaio, MD

Medical Director

Brad J. Roberts, BS, ACS, FASE, Program Director Instructor and Clinical Coordinator, Adult Echocardiography Program.

Brad J. Roberts, BS, ACS, FASE

Program Director
Instructor and Clinical Coordinator, Adult Echocardiography Program

Zuyue Wang, MD, Adjunct Faculty, The Cardiovascular Institute Regional Director, Non-Invasive Cardiology Associate Program Director, Cardiology Fellowship.

Zuyue Wang, MD

Adjunct Faculty, The Cardiovascular Institute
Regional Director, Non-Invasive Cardiology
Associate Program Director, Cardiology Fellowship

Program Goals

Students will learn to become competent entry-level cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains, and they will be qualified to sit for national credentialing examinations.

Graduates may work in a variety of allied healthcare settings, from large hospital centers to small outpatient clinics, performing diagnostic ultrasound examinations on the adult heart.

Eligibility for ECHO Training

The application process is open to applicants who meet all of the following minimum criteria at the time of program commencement:  

 
  • 18 years of age 
  • Two-year Associates Degree from an accredited college or university* 
  • Eight credit hours of Anatomy and Physiology with Labs, grade of “C” or better, within the last six years 
  • Possess the physical and mental qualities required to work in this profession** 
  • Proof of current immunizations and TB test*** 

*Bachelors of Science degrees or higher are preferred.  
** See "Physical, Interpersonal, Communication, Mobility, Tactical, Hearing and Visual Demands", page 39.  
*** Immunizations must be current prior to school start. 

Provide this list of immunizations to your Primary Care Provider (PCP): 

 
  • Two Mumps, measles, rubella (MMR) vaccines or positive titers 
  • Two Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines or positive titers (history of chicken pox is not acceptable) 
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) given after age 18 years 
  • Influenza (flu) only in flu season 
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test (TST within last 3 months or Quantiferion within last 6 months) 
  • Hepatitis B (Recommended, but not mandatory) 
  • COVID-19 vaccination is required by Baylor Scott & White Health along with our Clinical Affiliates

Application Process

Admission to BSW The Heart Hospital Cardiovascular Institute is a competitive process and a limited number of applicants are accepted each year. The student should demonstrate a dependable, mature demeanor and interact well with other people. The student should have a genuine desire to care for the disabled and sick, and have the ability to work well under pressure

 

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How Do I Apply?

Complete applications with all of the following items must be received by the school. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

  • Completed application form
  • $100 application fee
  • Current resumé
  • Two letters of reference (one work/professional and one personal)
  • Academic transcript (Official only)
  • Essay (see essay guidelines below)
  • Proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (must be maintained throughout the term if accepted)

Application Essay Guidelines

Your completed application must include an essay about your history and future goals in the field of cardiovascular technology. The essay must meet the following criteria:

  • Two pages
  • 12-point font
  • Double-spaced

Use the following questions as a framework for your essay:

  • Why do you want to pursue a career in cardiovascular technology?
  • How have your prior experiences prepared you for this career?
  • What specific qualities do you possess that set you part from other applicants?
  • Looking beyond graduation, what would you like to accomplish in this field?

Program Cost

The total cost to the student for the Adult Echocardiography Program is $22,000, plus a $100 application fee (non-refundable). Program tuition includes:

  • All administrative fees, lab fees, and required textbooks
  • BSW Dell Latitude laptop (Returned upon graduation)
  • Four sets of student hospital scrubs
  • One-year student-rate membership to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), which includes access to its respected journal and members-only website content
  • One-year student-rate membership to the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), which includes access to its respected journal and members-only website content
  • Upon successful completion of the program, examination fee reimbursement for either the CCI or ARDMS national credentialing examination for adult echocardiography

Outcomes

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for cardiac sonographers is 14% annual growth through the year 2030.

In 2020, the median salary for cardiac sonographers in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex was $74,600 per year.

2022 Outcomes

 
  • 83% Retention Rate
  • 100% Graduation Rate
  • 100% Registry Success
  • 100% Job Placement/Employment

2021 Outcomes

 

All five students:

  • 100% Retention Rate
  • 100% Graduation Rate
  • 100% Registry Success
  • 100% Job Placement/Employment

Resources

All students enrolled in a Cardiovascular Institute program will be expected to abide by all policies and procedures stated in the program’s Student Handbook & Catalog.

Student Handbook

As you continue your education here at the Cardiovascular Institute, peruse our student handbook to familiarize yourself with our programs, policies and accolades.

Download handbook

Academic Calendar

The Cardiovascular Institute hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM weekdays, except for Baylor Scott & White Health recognized holidays and school breaks.

The yearly school break schedule will be announced as soon as possible.

Download schedule

Working Here

We take great pride in the education, expertise and exemplary care that we offer to our surrounding communities in North and Central Texas. Here are some of the great reasons to further your education at The Heart Hospital.

Growth

Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital’s Cardiovascular Institute utilizes multiple BSWH facilities for clinical internship training with a 1:1 clinical instructor to student ratio, which provides an excellent clinical education for each student.

The school maintains experienced instructors, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, dedicated skills labs, and classrooms.

These educational tools, combined with a challenging didactic schedule and real-world clinical experience, make the Cardiovascular Institute a competitive choice for professional education in the Allied Health field.

Life in Plano

Plano is one of the best places for professional families to live and work. With excellent public and private schools, low crime and affordable homes, Plano provides a great environment to raise a family. With award-winning schools, world-class recreation, diverse residential neighborhoods, and a resounding hometown spirit among community members, it is easy to see why over 270,000 people call Plano home.

Learn about life in Plano

Why Baylor Scott & White Health

With over a decade of excellent cardiovascular care, Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano is known for unmatched quality care for patients and their families. We always strive to provide the country’s top cardiologists and programs to Texas. Our superb care and treatments are internationally renowned and our patients can attest to that reputation – in fact, we have treated patients from 46 states and 12 countries.

Learn more about us

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