Echocardiography Certificate

Certificate
HEGIS #5207
Chairperson: Margaret Ewart Zapp
Brahan Hall, Room 026, (518) 629-7123

Echocardiography is a one-year certificate program offered through the Medical Imaging Department. The goal of the program is to prepare competent entry level cardiac sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavioral) learning domains. Echocardiography is a specialized concentration within the field of sonography. The demands of the cardiac sonographer require a working knowledge of detailed anatomy and physiology of the heart and its echogenic appearance as it is presented as a 2-D image, as well as scanning techniques to obtain the optimum image.

The program coordinates academic study with clinical experience during two terms as well as a clinical component of one summer. The clinical experience will affiliate the student with at least eight cardiology departments. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to sit for the ARDMS exam.

The program not only prepares the graduate for employment, but also for transfer to four-year degree programs. Hudson Valley’s articulation agreement with Empire State College allows the graduate to pursue a baccalaureate degree while employed full-time.

The program has received New York Education Department Accreditation and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 6021 University Blvd., Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043.

Please note additional policies regarding Heath Science programs: Unsatisfactory pre-clinical, clinical, practicum and academic performance will result in students being dismissed from a health science program. The respective health science program faculty will make all recommendations for readmission. All decisions will be based upon an individual student review process. Readmission will require students to successfully repeat previous clinical, practicum and/or academic courses that faculty require. In addition, if a student is dismissed from the program, the student may be required to provide evidence of growth in necessary areas as identified by the faculty at the time of dismissal. Dismissed students must reapply under the program’s current admission procedure.

Once a student has been readmitted to a program, core curricular courses must be completed in term sequence without interruption. Any student who misses a term may not be permitted to continue in the program.

Students who are dismissed from Health Science Programs at Hudson Valley or other institutions due to inappropriate or dangerous clinical behavior and/or personal misconduct during patient interactions will not be allowed admission to any Hudson Valley Health Science program or Health Science course with a clinical component. A notation will be placed on the student’s academic transcript indicating the student was dismissed from the Echocardiography program.

Students in this program may be subjected to drug testing and criminal background checks at their own expense. Results must be shared with the Department Chairperson and clinical education site and if the clinical site deems the student unfit to attend the site, the student may be unable to complete degree requirements.

Please note: Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may affect an individual’s right to be licensed. Applicants should see the department chairperson.

Echocardiography core courses must be taken at Hudson Valley.

Program Entrance Requirements

Courses	Entry Term	Special Notes	H.S. Average
Must have a minimum of an associate’s degree in an allied health program which requires hospital based patient care experience with a 2.5 cumulative average or a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative average and a minimum of 400 hours of hospital-based patient care experience including 40 hours in department. All candidates applying must have a minimum of a “C” or higher in the additional college level entrance requirements.	Fall only	College level courses mandated: 8 credits human anatomy and physiology (courses must have been taken within seven years of admittance); 3 credits algebra, statistics or higher level; 4 credits physics and/or radiographic physics; 3 credits English such as composition or public speaking. Allied health programs may include: Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, Polysomnography, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy, RN, OTA, PTA, MD or DO.	N/A

The estimated cost of books for the student enrolled in the first full-time term as outlined would be approximately $845.