Last updated on October 2, 2019
Would you like to make a difference in people’s lives while earning a great salary in a high-demand career?
If so, look into enrolling in DCCCD’s Echocardiology Technology program, offered at El Centro College. And don’t delay: You must apply to the program by Dec. 31 of each year for classes beginning the following June.
This program prepares graduates to work as echocardiographers, who use sound waves to examine the heart and vessels. Doctors use the cardiovascular examinations performed by echocardiographers, also called echocardiology technologists, to diagnose congenital heart disease, valvular disease, pericardial disease, cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular problems. Echocardiographers typically work in hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices.
As a student in El Centro College’s Echocardiology Technology program, you’ll benefit from our outstanding faculty and exemplary clinical rotations, which are recognized locally and nationally. This is an intense program that pays off handsomely with experience and credentials that will give you a definite edge in a competitive job market.
The program requires a full-time commitment comprising lectures, skills labs and clinical experience. Classes are typically held four days a week during daytime and evening hours. Echocardiology Technology courses are completed in one nine-week summer semester and two 16-week academic semesters.
El Centro College’s program includes two associate degrees and two certificates:
- The Echocardiology Technology Associate in Applied Sciences degree is a two-year program. Graduates are qualified to work as echocardiographers (also known as echocardiology technologists).
- The Pediatric Echocardiology Technology Associate in Applied Sciences degree is a two-year program that prepares students to work as pediatric echocardiographers, who perform cardiovascular examinations on children.
- You may qualify for the Echocardiology Technology Advanced Technical Certificate or the new Pediatric Echocardiology Technology Advanced Technical Certificate option if you have already earned a minimum of an associate degree in a designated allied health field or a bachelor’s degree with a major in a science discipline and have substantial patient care experience. If you are interested in pursuing these certificates, contact the El Centro Health Occupations Admissions Office at 972-860-5002 or 972-860-5003 for specific application requirements and plan to attend an information session.
Cardiovascular technologists may specialize in any of three areas of practice: invasive cardiology, echocardiography or vascular technology. Echocardiography includes giving electrocardiograms (EKGs) and sonograms of the heart. Learn more about echocardiography as a career at Wise Geek: What Is Echocardiology?
A national shortage of qualified technologists ensures that graduates of El Centro’s Echocardiology Technology program experience excellent job opportunities, both locally and nationally.
Employment of cardiovascular technologists and technicians is expected to increase by 26 percent through the year 2010, much faster than average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008-2009 edition).
To get started in the Echocardiology Technology program, complete the admissions process at El Centro College. When you meet with an academic advisor, mention your interest in the Echocardiology Technology program so he or she can help you determine which courses you should take.
Acceptance to the Echocardiology Technology program is via a competitive selection process. The program accepts a limited number of students per entering class, including students pursuing an associate degree (including the Health Occupations Core Curriculum) and certificate applicants who already have an associate or bachelor’s degree.
For complete application and admission information, download an information packet in PDF format from the El Centro College Web site.