Echocardiography, Diploma

State Board Approval Date:	April 5, 2007
Implementation Date:	Spring 2008
Last Updated:	09/15/08

Echocardiography, Diploma

Program Standard and Course Guide

General Program Standards
SPECIFIC PROGRAM STANDARDS
Admission Requirements	ECH4-02-01
Provisional Program Admissions	ECH4-02-04
Program Numbering	ECH4-03-02
Program Course Consistency and Sequence	ECH4-03-03
Program Course List
Accreditation (Guide)	Appendix A
Suggested Course Sequence (Guide)	Appendix B
Suggested Equipment List (Guide)	Appendix C

Admissions

Standard Number: ECH4-02-01 (Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide admission requirements are implemented for the Echocardiograph, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Admission refers to regular admission into an diploma program.

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

Admission requirements are related to the functions of the Echocardiography, Diploma profession.

Evaluative Criteria

The institution develops, implements, and publishes clearly stated Echocardiography, Diploma program admission and advanced placement policies and procedures.

The requirements for admission to the Echocardiography, Diploma 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.

Echocardiography, Diploma 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 one-year programmatically accredited medical program; or

b. have completed a Baccalaureate degree.

Admission of transfer students to the Echocardiography 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: ECH4-02-04 (Provisional Admission Requirements)

Standard Statement

Statewide provisional admission requirements are implemented for the Echocardiography, Diploma 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 Echocardiography, Diploma program is afforded those students who do not meet program requirements but do meet provisional admission requirements.

The requirements for provisional admission to the Echocardiography, Diploma program are:

a. student is 17 years of age upon entry to the program but attained the age of 18 before enrolling in a Clinical Echocardiography course.

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

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

All Echocardiography, Diploma 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: ECH4-03-02 (Program Numbering System)

Standard Statement

A Program Major Code of ECH4 and a Program CIP Code of 510910 are applied to the Echocardiography, Diploma program.

Explanatory Comment

Assignment of a statewide Program Major Code ECH4 and Program CIP Code 510910 to the Program Title, diploma 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: ECH4-03-03 (Program Consistency and Sequence)

Standard Statement

The Echocardiography, diploma 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 ECH4 and are consistent statewide. Each specific course is assigned an alphanumeric descriptor that serves as a statewide course identification code.

Evaluative Criteria

The Echocardiography, diploma program is assigned a Major Code of ECH4, and utilizes essential components designated for that program number statewide. Program components include, but are not limited to:

Program Title

Echocardiography, Diploma

Program Description

The Echocardiography Diploma 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 Echocardiographers. Echocardiography is an allied health profession specifically concerning the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac diseases. The profession requires critical thinking skills, judgment, and the ability to provide appropriate health care services. An echocardiographer performs examinations at the request or under direct supervision of a physician, is proficient in the use of analytical equipment, and provides a foundation of data from which a correct anatomic and physiologic diagnosis can be made. Echocardiographers use high frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual pictures of the heart and related vasculature. The images are 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 heart, journal and case reviews, and a comprehensive registry review.

Program graduates are expected to be able to perform appropriate cardiac procedures including, but not limited to, two dimensional B-Mode imaging, color flow Doppler, and spectral Doppler, M-Mode, electrocardiography, and exercise stress testing. 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 Diploma in Echocardiography. They are eligible to sit for the national certification examinations administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) registry in Cardiology and are employable as entry-level Echocardiographers.

Course Code	General Core Course Title	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
ENG 101	English [P] Provisional admission	5	0	0	5	5
MAT 103	Algebraic Concepts [P] MAT 098, or entrance arithmetic and algebra scores in accordance with approved DTAE admission score levels	5	0	0	5	5
PSY 101	Basic Psychology [P] Provisional admission	(5)	(0)	(0)	(5)	(5)
OR
EMP 100	Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development [P] Provisional admission	3	0	0	3	3
Minimum Required Hours:		13+	0	0	13+	13

Course Code	Occupational Course Title	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
SCT 100	Introduction to Microcomputers [P] Provisional admission	1	4	0	5	3
AHS 101	Anatomy and Physiology [P] Provisional admission	5	0	0	5	5
AHS 102	Drug Calculation & Administration [P]Program admission level Math achievement	3	0	0	3	3
AHS 104	Introduction to Health Care [P] Provisional admission	2	0	3	5	3
AHS 109	Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences [P]Provisional admission	3	0	0	3	3
PHY 190	Introductory Physics [P] MAT 191 or MAT 196	4	3	0	7	5
OR
AHS 156	Allied Health Physics [P] MAT 191, 190, 194, 196, or 103	(5)	(0)	(0)	(5)	(5)
CHM 191	Chemistry I [P] Program admission level Math achievement	4	0	3	7	5
OR
AHS 157	Health Sciences Chemistry [P]Program admission level Math achievement	(4)	(3)	(0)	(7)	(5)
CVT 103	Electrophysiology & Cardiac Anatomy [P] Provisional admission	2	4	0	6	4
CVT 104	Electrophysiology II [P] CVT 103	1	2	0	3	2
CVT 108	Cardiovascular Advanced Hemodynamics [P] CVT 110, CVT 111 [C] CVT 104	3	0	0	3	3
CVT 109	Cardiovascular Pathophysiology [P] CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111 [C] CVT 104, CVT 108	3	0	0	3	3
CVT 110	Non-invasive Cardiovascular Fundamentals [P] Provisional admission	3	2	0	5	4
CVT 111	Invasive Cardiovascular fundamentals [P] Provisional admission	3	2	0	5	4
DMS 136	Sonographic Physics I [P] Provisional admission	3	0	0	3	3
DMS 202	Sonographic Physics II [P] DMS 136	2	0	0	2	2
ECH 131	Echocardiography I [P] CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111	2	4	6	12	6
ECH 133	Echocardiography II [P] ECH 131 [C] ECH 137	2	4	6	12	6
ECH 136	Echocardiography Clinical I [P] CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111 [C] ECH 131	0	0	24	24	8
ECH 137	Echocardiography Clinical II [P] ECH 131 [C] ECH 133	0	0	24	24	8
ECH 155	Professional Development [P] CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111	0	2	0	2	1
ECH 231	Echocardiography III (Pediatric) [P] ECH 133	4	2	6	12	6
ECH 236	Echocardiography Clinical III [P] ECH 133 [C] ECH 231	0	0	24	24	8
ECH 237	Echocardiography Clinical IV [P] ECH 236 [C] ECH 240	0	0	36	36	12
ECH 240	Comprehensive Registry Review [P] CVT 103, CVT 110, CVT 111, ECH 131, ECH 133, ECH 231 [C] ECH 237	1	0	3	4	2
Minimum Required Hours:		51	29	132+	213+	109

Program Final Exit Point

Echocardiography, Diploma

122 minimum quarter hours credit required for graduation

Appendix A

Accreditation and Certification

TheEchocardiography,Diploma 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 Echocardiography programs obtain programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) under the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee - Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) or Joint Review Committee – Cardiovascular Technology. (JRC-CVT)

Appendix B

General Information

Echocardiography, Diploma Program Curriculum Model

Suggested Course Sequence

The standard curriculum for Echocardiography, Diploma 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 theEchocardiography,Diploma 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 101	English	5	0	0	5	5
MAT 103	Algebraic Concepts	5	0	0	5	5
SCT 100	Introduction to Microcomputers	1	4	0	5	3
EMP 100	Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development	3	0	0	3	3
OR
PSY 101	Basic Psychology	(5)	(0)	(0)	(5)	(5)
	Total	14+	4	0	18+	16

Second Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
PHY 190	Introductory Physics	4	3	0	7	5
OR
AHS 156	Health Sciences Physics	(5)	(0)	(0)	(5)	(5)
AHS 101	Anatomy and Physiology	5	0	0	5	5
AHS 104	Introduction to Healthcare	2	0	3	5	3
	Total	11+	0+	3	15+	13

Third Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
AHS 102	Drug Calculation & Administration	3	0	0	3	3
AHS109	Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences	3	0	0	3	3
SCT 100	Introduction to Microcomputers	1	4	0	5	3
CHM 191	Chemistry I	4	0	3	7	5
OR
AHS157	Health Sciences Chemistry	(5)	(0)	(0)	(5)	(5)
	Total	11+	0+	0+	16+	14

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
CVT 110	Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Fundamentals	3	2	0	5	4
CVT 111	Invasive Cardiovascular Fundamentals	3	2	0	5	4
	Total	8	8	0	16	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
ECH 155	Professional Development	0	2	0	2	1
CVT 104	Electrophysiology II	1	2	0	3	2
CVT 108	Cardiovascular Advanced Hemodynamics	3	0	0	3	3
CVT 109	Cardiovascular Pathophysiology	3	0	0	3	3
	Total	10	4	0	14	12

Sixth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
DMS 202	Sonographics Physics II	2	0	0	2	2
ECH 131	Echocardiography I	2	4	6	12	6
ECH 136	Echocardiography Clinical I	0	0	24	24	8
	Total	4	4	30	38	16

Seventh Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
ECH 133	Echocardiography II	2	4	6	12	6
ECH 137	Echocardiography Clinical II	0	0	24	24	8
	Total	2	4	30	36	14

Eighth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
ECH 231	Echocardiography III	4	2	6	12	6
ECH 236	Echocardiography Clinical III	0	0	24	24	8
	Total	4	2	30	36	14

Ninth Quarter

Course Code	Course Name	Class Hours	D. Lab Hours	P. Lab/ OBI Hours	Weekly Contact Hours	Credit Hours
ECH 240	Comprehensive Registry Review	1	0	3	4	2
ECH 237	Echocardiography Clinical IV	0	0	36	36	12
	Total	1	0	39	40	14