State Board Approval Date:

April 5, 2007

Implementation Date:

Spring 2008

Last Updated:

November 13, 2007

Vascular Technology, Associate Degree

Program Standard and Course Guide 

Table of Contents

General Program Standards

SPECIFIC PROGRAM STANDARDS

Admission Requirements

VSN3-02-01

Provisional Program Admissions

VSN3-02-04

Program Numbering

VSN3-03-02

Program Course Consistency and Sequence

VSN3-03-03

Program Course List

Accreditation (Guide)

Appendix A

Suggested Course Sequence (Guide)

Appendix B

Suggested Equipment List (Guide)

Appendix C

Admissions

Standard Number: VSN3-02-01 (Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide admission requirements are implemented for the Vascular Technology, Associate Degree program.

Explanatory Comment

Admission refers to regular admission into an Associate Degree program.

 

Statewide program admission requirements consider state and national occupational licensing and certifying requirements, where applicable. The institution develops and implements clearly stated Degree program admissions policies and procedures.

 

Admission requirements are related to the functions of the Vascular Technology, Degree profession.

Evaluative Criteria

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated Vascular Technology, Degree program admission and advanced placement policies and procedures.

 

The requirements for admission to the Vascular Technology, Degree program are:

a.       attainment of 18 years of age;

b.       documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High School Equivalency Certificate requirements; 

c.       achievement of minimum regular admission scores on tests of reading, language, math, and algebra as specified in GDTAE document Minimum Program Admission Test Scores;

d.       Proper completion of application and related procedures.

e.       Vascular Technology, Degree programs not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education

Programs (CAAHEP) in addition to the above five items:

a.       be a graduate of a two-year programmatically accredited medical program that are patient care related; or

b.       has completed a Baccalaureate degree.

Admission of transfer students to the Vascular Technology program is contingent upon their meeting the following requirements:

a.       regular admission and good standing at a regionally accredited or GDTAE diploma or degree granting institution; and

b.       proper completion of application and related procedures.

Standard Number: VSN3-02-04 (Provisional Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide provisional admission requirements are implemented for the Vascular Technology, Degree program.

Explanatory Comment

Provisional admission is granted to qualified students who do not meet the regular admission requirements of the program.

 

Provisionally admitted students are allowed to take developmental studies courses and/or certain occupational courses as designated in the course sequence standard.

 

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated policies and procedures for entry into programs on a provisional basis.

Evaluative Criteria

Provisional admission to the Vascular Technology, Degree program is afforded those students who do not meet program requirements but do meet provisional admission requirements.

 

The requirements for provisional admission to the Vascular Technology, Degree program are:

a.       be 17 years of age upon entry to the program but attained the age of 18 before enrolling in a Clinical Vascular Technology course.

achievement of minimum admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in GDTAE document Minimum Program Entrance Scores;

recommendation by program faculty and designated admissions personnel on the basis of interview and assessment of student potential; and

All Vascular Technology, Degree program students initially admitted on a provisional basis meet regular admission requirements prior to graduation.

 

Provisionally admitted students whose English, math, and/or reading achievement levels do not meet regular program admission requirements are required to enroll in developmental studies courses approved by the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Program Structure

Standard Number: VSN3-03-02 (Program Numbering System)

Standard Statement

A Program Major Code of VSN3 and a Program CIP Code of 510901 are applied to the Vascular Technology, Degree program

Explanatory Comment

Assignment of a statewide Program Major Code VSN3 and Program CIP Code 510910 to the Vascular Technology, Degree program is the basis from which statewide programmatic consistency is developed.

 

Each degree/diploma/certificate program complies with the assigned Program Major Code(s) established in the relevant program-specific standards of the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.

Evaluative Criteria

Each authorized degree/diploma/certificate program is assigned a Program Major Code and Program CIP Code.

 

Each degree/diploma/certificate program having a given Program Major Code is consistent with all other programs throughout the state that have the same Program Major Code.

 

Degree/diploma/certificate programs having multiple specializations are assigned a Specialization Major Code and Specialization CIP Code for each option.

 

Standard Number: VSN3-03-03 (Program Consistency and Sequence)

Standard Statement

The Vascular Technology, Degree program utilizes essential course components consistent with statewide program requirements. Specific course alphanumeric identification Codes are assigned to each course. Students are required to progress through two course categories in a developmentally valid sequence.

Explanatory Comment

Programs are assigned an identical Major Code VSN3 and are consistent statewide. Each specific course is assigned an alphanumeric descriptor that serves as a statewide course identification code.

Evaluative Criteria

The Vascular Technology, Degree program is assigned a Major Code of VSN3, and utilizes essential components designated for that program number statewide. Program components include, but are not limited to:

Program Title

Vascular Technology, Degree

Program Description

The Vascular Technology program is a sequence of courses that provide educational opportunities to individuals in didactic and clinical environments that will enable them to obtain skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to graduate and become successful entry-level Vascular Technology is an allied health profession specifically concerning the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vascular diseases. The profession requires critical thinking skills, judgment, and the ability to provide appropriate health care services. A vascular technologist performs examinations at the request or under direct supervision of a physician, is proficient in the use of a variety of diagnostic imaging and monitoring equipment, and provides sonographic images and data from which a correct anatomic and physiologic diagnosis can be made. Vascular Technology use high frequency sound waves to perform venous and arterial diagnostic procedures.  The information is evaluated by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. Course work includes sonographic physics, sonographic identification of normal and abnormal anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology of the venous and arterial systems, journal and case reviews, and a comprehensive registry review. 

Program graduates are expected to be able to perform appropriate vascular and arterial procedures including, but not limited to, Duplex ultrasound, color flow Doppler, and spectral Doppler, venous thrombosis examinations, intracranial and extracranial procedures, arterial physiologic testing of the extremities.  Program graduates are to be competent in the general areas of humanities or fine arts, social or behavioral sciences, natural sciences or mathematics, computer literacy.  Program graduates receive an Associate of Applied Technology in Vascular Technology or Cardiovascular Technology.  They are eligible to sit for national certification examinations thus enabling him/her to achieve professional employment in the field with the professional title of Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT).

 

Course
Code

General Core Course Title

Class
Hours

D.
Lab
Hours

P.
Lab/OBI
Hours

Weekly
Contact
Hours

Credit
Hours

ENG 191

Composition & Rhetoric I

[P] Degree program admission level language competency

5

0

0

5

5

ENG 193

Literature and Composition

[P] ENG 191 with C or better

5

0

0

5

5

OR

HUM 191

Introduction to Humanities

[P] ENG 191 with C or better

(5)

(0)

(0)

(5)

(5)

SPC 191

Fundamentals of Speech

[P] Program admission level language competency or ENG 098

5

0

0

5

5

MAT 191

College Algebra

[P]Program admission level math achievement

5

0

0

5

5

PHY 190

Introductory Physics

[P] MAT 191 or MAT 196

4

3

0

7

5

OR

AHS 156

Health Science Physics

[P] MAT 191, MAT 190, MAT 194 or MAT 196

(5)

(0)

(0)

(5)

(5)

PSY 191

Introduction to Psychology

[P] Program admission

5

0

0

5

5

Minimum Required Hours:

29

3

0

32

30

 

Course
Code

Occupational Course Title

Class
Hours

D.
Lab
Hours

P.
Lab/OBI
Hours

Weekly
Contact
Hours

Credit
Hours

BIO 193

Anatomy and Physiology I

[P]Provisional admission

4

3

0

7

5

BIO 194

Anatomy and Physiology II

[P] BIO 193

4

3

0

7

5

CHM 191

Chemistry I

[P] Program admission level math achievement

4

0

3

7

5

SCT 100

Introduction to Microcomputers

[P] Provisional admission

1

4

0

5

3

AHS 104

Introduction to Healthcare

[P] Provisional admission

2

0

3

5

3

AHS 109

Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences

[P] Provisional admission

3

0

0

3

3

CVT 103

Electrophysiology & Cardiac Anatomy

[P] Program admission

2

4

0

6

4

CVT 104

Electrophysiology II

[P] CVT 103

1

2

0

3

2

VAS 110

Vascular Fundamentals

[P] Program admission

3

0

3

6

4

OR

CVT 110

Non-invasive Cardiovascular Fundamentals

[P] Program admission

(3)

(2)

(0)

(5)

(4)

CVT 111

Invasive Cardiovascular Fundamentals

[P] Program admission

3

2

0

5

4

DMS 133

Cross Sectional Anatomy

[P] Program admission

3

0

3

6

4

DMS 136

Sonographic Physics I

[P] Program admission

3

0

0

3

3

DMS 202

Sonographic Physics II

[P] Program admission

2

0

0

2

2

VAS 136

Basic Extremity Testing

[P]CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111

[C] CVT 104, DMS 133

3

2

3

8

5

VAS 141

Basic Cerebrovascular & Venous Extremity

[P] CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111

[C] VAS 143

2

2

3

7

4

VAS 143

Vascular Clinical I

[P] CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111

[C] VAS 141

0

0

24

24

8

VAS 144

Vascular Clinical II

[P] VAS 143

0

0

24

24

8

 

VAS 202

Advanced Cerebrovascular

[P] VAS 141

[C} VAS 144

2

0

3

5

3

VAS 203

Arterial Duplex

[P] VAS 136, VAS 143

[C] VAS 144

2

0

3

5

3

VAS 205

Interventional and Therapeutic

[P] AHS 104, CVT 111, DMS 133, DMS 136, DMS 202, VAS 144 [C] VAS 245

2

2

0

4

3

VAS 215

Vascular Physical Principles and Instrumentation Registry  Review

[P] DMS 136, DMS 202

2

0

0

2

2

VAS 230

Essentials of Vascular Sonography (Non-Invasive)

[P] Program admission

1

0

3

4

2

OR

AHS 102

Drug Calculation & Administration

[P] MAT 101

(2)

(2)

(0)

(4)

(3)

VAS 242

Abdominal Vascular

[P] CVT 110, DMS 133, DMS 136, DMS 202

[C] VAS 245

3

0

3

6

4

VAS 245

Vascular Clinical III

[P] VAS 144

0

0

24

24

8

VAS 220

Comprehensive Vascular Technology Registry Review

[P] Program admission

2

0

0

2

2

VAS 246

Vascular Clinical IV

[P] VAS 245

0

0

30

30

10

Minimum Required Hours:

54+

24+

132

210

109

 

Program Final Exit Point

Program Title, Award Level

 

139 minimum quarter hours credit required for graduation

Appendix A

Accreditation and Certification

The Vascular Technology, Associate degree program must conform to the institutional accreditation requirements of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (COC).

It is recommended that Vascular Ultrasound programs obtain programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) under the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee - Vascular Ultrasound (JRC-DMS).

Appendix B

General Information

Vascular Technology, Associate Degree Program Curriculum Model

Suggested Course Sequence

The standard curriculum for Vascular Technology, Associate Degree program is set up on the quarter system. A suggested sequence for the program is given below with area of specialization. Technical institutes may implement the Vascular Technology, Associate Degree program by using the sequences listed below or by using a locally developed sequence designed to reflect course prerequisites and/or corequisites.

Suggested Sequence I

First Quarter


Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

ENG 191

Composition & Rhetoric I

5

0

0

5

5

MAT 191

College Algebra

5

0

0

5

5

PSY 191

Introduction to Psychology

5

0

0

5

5

SCT 100

Introduction to Microcomputers

1

4

0

5

3

 

Total

16

4

0

20

18

Second Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

ENG 193

Composition & Rhetoric II

5

0

0

5

5

PHY 190

Introductory Physics

4

3

0

7

5

BIO 193

Anatomy and Physiology I

4

3

0

5

5

CHM 191

 Chemistry I

4

0

3

7

5

 

Total

17

6

3

24

20

Third Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

SPC 191

Fundamentals of Speech

5

0

0

5

5

BIO 194

Anatomy and Physiology II

4

3

0

5

5

AHS 109

Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences

3

0

0

3

3

AHS 104

Introduction to Health Care

2

0

3

5

3

 

Total

14

3

3

18

16

Fourth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

CVT 103

Electrophysiology & Cardiac Anatomy

2

4

0

6

4

VAS 110

Non-invasive Cardiovascular fundamentals

3

0

3

6

4

CVT 111

Invasive Cardiovascular fundamentals

3

2

0

5

4

 

Total

8

6

3

17

12

Fifth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

DMS 136

Sonographic Physics I

3

0

0

3

3

CVT 104

Electrophysiology II

1

2

0

3

2

VAS136

Basic Extremity Testing

3

2

3

8

5

DMS 133

Cross Sectional Anatomy

3

0

3

6

4

 

Total

10

4

6

20

14

Sixth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

VAS 141

Basic Cerebrovascular & Venous Extremity

2

2

3

7

4

DMS 202

Sonographic Physics II

2

0

0

2

2

VAS 143

Vascular Clinical I

0

0

24

24

8

 

Total

4

2

27

33

14

Seventh Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

VAS 202

Advanced Cerebrovascular

2

0

3

5

3

VAS 203

Arterial Duplex

2

0

3

5

3

VAS 144

Vascular Clinical II

0

0

24

24

8

VAS 230

Essentials of Vascular Sonography (Non-invasive)

1

0

3

4

2

 

Total

5

0

33

38

16

Eighth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

VAS 242

Abdominal Vascular

3

0

3

6

4

VAS 205

Interventional & Therapeutic

2

2

0

4

3

VAS 245

Vascular Clinical III

0

0

24

24

8

VAS 215

Vascular Physical Principles & Instrumentation Registry Review

2

0

0

2

2

 

Total

7

2

27

36

17

 

Ninth Quarter

Course Code

Course Name

Class Hours

D.
Lab Hours

P.
Lab/

OBI Hours

Weekly Contact Hours

Credit Hours

VAS 220

Comprehensive Vascular Tech. Registry Review

2

0

0

2

2

VAS 246

Vascular Clinical IV

0

0

30

30

10

 

Total

2

0

30

32

12

 

Appendix C

Vascular Technology, Associate Degree

Suggested Equipment List

1.   One Duplex color ultrasound machine per 3 students

       A. Transducers

            i.  Low frequency abdominal deep penetration

            ii. Linear high resolution

2.   Image recording system-minimum of one per ultrasound machine or testing unit

      A.  VCR and/or

      B.  Thermal imager and/or

      C.  Film cassette (dark room or film processing required) and/or

      D.  CD and/or

      E.  Electronic picture archival computer system (PACS) and/or

      F.  Color printer and/or

      G. Radiographic laser printer (may require dark room)

3.  One physiologic testing unit per 3 students including each of the following:

      A.  Photo-plethysmography

      B.  Pneumo-plethysomography

      C.  Continuous wave Bi-directional Doppler 5 and 8 MHz transducers

      D.  Automatic cuff inflator

      E.  10, 12, 15, and 17 cm cuffs

4.   Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound unit (may be included with Duplex unit)

5.   Gel

      A.  Sterile and Non-sterile

6.   Gel warmer

7.   Transducer cleaner

8.   Transducer covers

9.   Gloves

       A.  Latex, non-latex

       B.  Powder, powder-free

       C.  Sterile, non-sterile

10.  Linens and gowns

11.  Stretchers/tables (one per ultrasound machine)

12.  Sterile trays for use with interventional sonography or component supplies

13.  View boxes

14.  Sharps boxes

15.  Lockable storage cabinets

16.  Anatomic models

       A.  Torso including organs

       B.  Cross-sectional models

       C.  Other models

17.  Charts and graphs

18.  Ergonomic devices

19.  Variable incandescent lighting

20.  Privacy curtains

21.  Image projection system (VCR/TV, CD, laser disc, Internet, teleradiography, ELMO or equivalent, DVD)

22.  One computer per faculty member with Internet capability

23.  Faculty and classroom laser printers

24.  Sonographic resource library

25.  Lockable file cabinet for student records

 

 

 

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