Cardiac Sonography Program
As a Cardiac Sonographer, you’re all about diagnosis
If you’ve been considering going into health care and are curious about Cardiac Sonography, you may be wondering what distinguishes this career from that of others in allied health.
First and foremost, your work as a Cardiac Sonographer (CS) focuses on diagnosis. It’s all about performing echocardiograms for physicians to use in diagnosis of heart disease. Using the latest technology, you’ll be using sound waves (ultrasound) to view your patient’s heart function in real time. You’ll be looking for signs of health and for abnormalities, which may be congenital or related to recent or long-term issues.
Secondly, compared to some other allied health careers, your work as a Cardiac Sonographer will be non-invasive! No penetrating skin, no radiation, no chemicals to administer, no wounds, no blood! – with just the use of ultrasound technology you’ll be able to see and evaluate the functioning of your patient’s most important organ… the human heart.
Third, your time spent with patients will be intimate but usually less than an hour long. You’ll likely see many patients a day but you may only see them one time, which is quite different from other careers such as Medical Assistant or Nursing where you would often develop relationships that grow through repeat visits.
There are also similarities. As in most health care positions, you’ll draw upon your strengths in caring for others to help people feel comfortable when they’re nervous and afraid, which makes your people skills very important.
You’ll have flexibility in regard to your location, as Cardiac Sonographers are in high demand across the country. Wherever you work, you’ll be a respected member of a medical team.
If you’re a person who is passionate about helping others… If you enjoy learning about the human heart and about precision technology… If you want access to a well-paying job with benefits and security, this is a career where you can excel and make a meaningful contribution to people’s lives.
Cardiac Sonography
Cardiac Sonographers have a unique blend of diagnostic skills, technical know how and the ability to comfortably interact with patients. They’re allied health professionals who work directly with physicians, nurses, and even surgical team members.
They operate ultrasound equipment that provides moving 2-D or 3-D images of the heart and its chambers. Duties typically include:
- Performing: Routine resting echocardiograms, Stress echocardiogram exams and 3-D echocardiograms
- Assisting with transesophageal exams (TEE)
- Interacting with patients to set them up for procedures, helping to put them at ease, explaining to them how the procedure works, and communicating with them throughout the process
They usually work in hospital environments, but employment can also be found in other settings, such as private providers’ offices, out-patient clinics, and even companies that provide mobile services.
Some CS choose to expand their knowledge, skill set and opportunities by getting further training and credentials that allow them to work in vascular or pediatric settings or go into management.
Career Opportunities
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Median Salary (2021) in Michigan: $61,370
Employment growth (2021-31): 8%
Salary data according to O*NET Online
Is this a program where YOU can shine?
If you agree with most of these ideas, the answer may be YES …
- I genuinely care about others and want to develop new skills that will allow me to make significant contributions to their wellbeing.
- I want to earn an above-average salary and have job security so I can pursue the lifestyle I’ve dreamed of.
- Although I have limited or no previous health care experience, I’ve often imagined myself working in that field and am ready to do the work to get there.
- I’m fascinated by the human body, and am eager to learn about the human heart.
- I’m excited about working with patients one-on-one using state-of-the-art technology.
- I think I’d enjoy a role where my relationship with patients is intimate but brief and involves administering non-invasive procedures.
- I want to work in a hospital or clinical setting.
- I’m empathetic and compassionate, and I’m proud of that part of my personality.
- I place a lot of value on my own motivation, dedication and commitment to achieving what I set out to do. I don’t give up easily.
- I’m ambitious and hard-working.
- In terms of learning, I thrive in a setting that’s more like a family than a rigid corporate or bureaucratic environment.
- I know I can develop the skills and confidence I’ll need to enter a brand new field where accuracy and compassion are everyday necessities.
At Kirtland you’ll finish with an Applied Science in Cardiac Sonography degree!
Not every allied health professional has or needs an associate degree, but for CS, you have a lot to learn and in order to take your place on the diagnostic team, you need a bit more preparation than in some of the other fields.
The Cardiac Sonography element of our associate degree program takes four semesters. You’ll need to complete some prerequisites to start — either at Kirtland or another college or university. If transferring credits, we’ll show you how to make the process seamless and simple.
Your last semester will be an internship. With so many different locations available where you could complete an internship, many of our students take advantage of that opportunity to live someplace new, often in another state.
Although it will require a lot of hard work on your part, your chances are good because over 90% of the people who start the program make it to the end and graduate!
After graduation, you’ll be required to successfully complete the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and Credentialing International exams. (If you suffer from test anxiety, don’t worry, you’ll have multiple opportunities to complete your exam. If you fail it the first time around, you can take it again.)
Your Kirtland education is respected by employers
Kirtland’s Cardiac Sonography program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (www.caahep.org) via the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology.
This means your degree and certification will be accepted anywhere in the United States AND your prospective employers will be confident that you’re well prepared to do the work.
Because of our reputation, most employers understand that, at Kirtland, you were prepared professionally in a state-of-the-art facility by highly qualified faculty, you learned the most industry-current technology, and you did that in real-life simulated training labs!
It doesn’t get much better than that.
You’ll have an exceptional experience at Kirtland
State-of-the-art classrooms with latest technology
Not only do we have a beautiful campus, we also use the latest in innovative instructional technologies in our ‘smart classrooms.’ Outstanding labs help you to prepare for working on real patients when the time comes.
Our highly experienced faculty care about your success
One thing Kirtland is known for is having caring faculty who not only know their subject areas, but also care deeply about the wellbeing and progress of their students.
Passionate student-focused advisors provide the guidance you need to succeed.
Our advisors are well-known among current and former students alike for their kindness and exceptional levels of interest and commitment to our students’ success. They’ll do their best to answer your questions and get you the information you need to stay on track.
Kirtland makes it easier to work out the finances
You can save a lot of money by enrolling here. Our tuition rates are one-third the cost of most four-year schools and universities, which puts you at a real advantage!
We also have many resources for financial aid and professional staff who’ll help you apply.
Get help with your financial aid
You may be surprised by how simple it is to apply for government grants, scholarships and loans.
Your credit history is not a major consideration in qualifying for federal aid. You DON’T need to attend school full-time to qualify. And we will assist you with the process you’re dreading IF you need help. Often students are eligible for more money than they’re expecting.
Your path to a lucrative & fulfilling future
Step 1 — Get Started
Apply for admission to the college. Apply for financial aid. p.s. If you need assistance with your financial aid application, we’re here to help!
Step 2
Speak to an advisor!
They’ll help you navigate the process, dot the I’s and cross the T’s! If you’ve made your decision, declare Cardiac Sonography as your program of study with your advisor, which will help you prepare to enter the program.
Step 3
Complete your prerequisites and/or arrange to transfer your credits in from a previously-attended college or university. At Kirtland, most of your prerequisites are offered both online and in-person to make it easy for you to fit them into your schedule. You can take them a couple at a time or more quickly. Our advisors will be glad to go through this with you and also assist if you have credits to transfer. Call 989-275-5000, ext. 280.
Step 4
Apply to the Cardiac Sonography program.
Important details! On-time applications are accepted from January 15-May 15. Late applications are accepted up until the fall semester starts, but only if there are still spaces available!
Be sure to declare Cardiac Sonography as your program of study early to best prepare for being accepted into the program.
Step 5
Get accepted to the program and complete your program courses and internship.
Step 6
You’ve graduated with an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Cardiac Sonography.
Step 7
Sit for the national REGISTERED DIAGNOSTIC CARDIAC SONOGRAPHER® (RDCS®) certification exam.
Step 8
You passed the certification exam and you’re now a registered Cardiac Sonographer.
FINAL STEP
Victory! Get a job with great benefits!
You now hold the ticket to reliable employment and can choose the location where you want to work. What does it feel like to be in high demand?
Get another perspective:
Request a Program Brochure (in the mail)
Discuss prerequisites, get personalized advice:
Set an appointment with an advisor
Ready to Jump In?
Apply Today
**In addition to applying for admission to the college, this program requires a secondary admissions process to be admitted.