Echocardiography is a specialization in the field of ultrasound sonography where the primary concentration is on the different activities happening in the heart of the patient. It is concentrated in the two dimensional image of the two slices of the heart. Echocardiography is helpful because of the fact that it provides handful information about the size and shape of the heart, the heart’s capacity to pump and the damages, which is associated with the tissues in the heart. Here is an overview of the relevant information about echocardiography, which could be helpful for those who want to study specialization after completing the basic ultrasound degree programs.
Echocardiography was invented in order to diagnose the diseases, which are related to the heart. Since it is a non-invasive medical procedure, many medical professionals and patients have been trusting echocardiography for the detection of many heart related diseases. Transthoracic echocardiogram or TTE is considered the standard echocardiogram. This is done by placing the transducer on the chest wall and then images through the chest will be captured in order to diagnose diseases of the heart. The alternative to echocardiogram is the transesophageal echocardiography wherein a specialized transducer is inserted into the esophagus in order to record the activity which is happening inside the heart. This is commonly done when the case of the patient needs more evaluation regarding of what is happening inside the heart. This method of ultrasound imaging cannot be pushed through with the medical sonographer alone. Included in the medical team are the cardiologist and the registered nurse.
Ultrasound technicians who want to pursue Echocardiography can enroll in any of the schools which provide formal education and training. Echocardiography education is very essential since the sonographer should have the proper hands-on echocardiography training in order to perform effectively. Usually, the echocardiography education culminates in two years or four years depending on how whether the student chooses the associate or the bachelor degree. Community colleges, universities and other schools offer echocardiography training for interested technicians.
Echocardiography jobs will be abundant and expected to grow faster than the average in the next few years. Growth in echocardiography jobs will be parallel to the growth in elderly diseases since the elderly population has higher frequency of having cardiovascular irregularities and illnesses. There will be many career opportunities for echocardiography sonographers as there will be more technological advancement in non-invasive procedures compared to the reduction of more costly invasive medical procedures to diagnose a disease.
Today, the earning potential for the echocardiography sonographers is increasing. In 2006, the salary average is $57, 160 while today they can earn starting from $34,652 to $78,725. Hospitals will still be the primary medical employers where these technicians can seek for employment. In time, there will be an increasing demand from medical diagnostic centers and private medical doctor’s clinic because of the increase in patients having cardiovascular diseases.
Pursuing an ultrasound technician career in offers more promising and higher income than other fields. The echocardiography sub-field will offer more opportunities because there is a growing awareness of cardiovascular patients that non-invasive procedures are cheaper and more effective than the invasive medical procedures for disease diagnosis.
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