Vascular Ultrasound Program
Join the world of fast growing opportunities in the medical field!
You can make a difference with just a year of training!
Program Summary
- 12-month, accelerated program
- 35+ hours per week
- 1676 total hours, including 840+ clinical hours
- Starts in January each year
- Students start scanning the first week
- 90% placement rate
Occupational Outlook*
- $67K median annual wage
- Expected increase of 14% in employment from 2018 – 2028
- Sonographers certified in at least one specialty are expected to have the best job opportunities
Employment Environment
- Most sonographers work in hospitals
- Some work in physicians’ offices
- A few work in medical and diagnostic laboratories
- A few also work in outpatient care centers
Program Overview
Subject
Hours
25
65
165
147
426
848
Total
1,676
The program is 51 weeks, includes 1,676 clock hours, and is offered once a year. Students must participate in all components of the program, including reporting to clinical sites as assigned. The school will review any transcripts or certificates from previous education and training and will grant credit where appropriate.
The program offers an in-depth clinical experience that will enable students to produce accurate, high-quality vascular images through classroom instruction, hands-on experience with patient models, anatomical lab opportunities, and clinical rotations. Students will have the opportunity to learn the distinction between normal and abnormal vascular anatomy and physiology and gain an understanding of basic pathology and vascular diagnostic procedures.
Established in 1982, the Arizona Heart Foundation School of Cardiac Ultrasound was one of the premier programs in the United States dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s sonographers. The program has evolved to include the ever-changing field of vascular sonography and is now known as the School of Cardiac & Vascular Ultrasound.
The School has earned a strong reputation as a leader in cardiac ultrasound training for over 35 years and is licensed by the State of Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. Recently we have designed our program to include the ever-changing field of vascular sonography. The vascular program is designed to meet and exceed the minimum clinical clock hour requirements as recommended by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Our faculty’s expertise, coupled with small class sizes, not only prepares our students for the national registry exams but also results in graduates with a discernible difference. More than 500 highly-qualified sonographers have graduated from the program. Our graduates provide quality patient care, possess leadership positions in their profession, and dedicate themselves as life-long learners.
The Arizona Heart Foundation hired Kelly Gardner, BS, RDCS (AE, PE), RVT, in 2017 to develop, teach and manage its stand-alone, vascular ultrasound program. Kelly is board certified in adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography. and vascular ultrasound. Kelly also possesses 25 years of experience in the field of cardiac and vascular sonography, including creating her own diagnostic imaging centers and a mobile ultrasound company.
Frequently asked:
about cardiac ultrasound sonographers
What does a vascular ultrasound sonographer do?
Vascular ultrasound sonographers operate special imaging equipment to create images or conduct tests. The images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. Sonographers and technologists may work closely with physicians and surgeons before, during, and after procedures.*
What is the job outlook for vascular ultrasound sonographers?
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 14 – 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.*
As the large baby-boom population ages, the need to diagnose medical conditions—such as blood clots and heart disease—will likely increase. Imaging technology is a tool used in making these diagnoses. Moreover, diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and vascular technologists will continue to be needed in healthcare settings to provide an alternative to imaging techniques that involve radiation.
How much do vascular ultrasound sonographers make?
The median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists was $67,080 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.*
Frequently asked:
about our ultrasound program
Do you have a catalog with all the details of the program?
Yes! You can download the full catalog here.
What are the prerequisites for the Arizona Heart Foundation School of Ultrasound Program?
You must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED.
When does the program start? How long does it take to complete?
The Arizona Heart Foundation School of Ultrasound offers two ultrasound programs. Our Cardiac Ultrasound Program starts in July. Our Vascular Ultrasound Program starts in January.
Each of our Ultrasound Programs is 12 months.
What is the average class size?
Our average class size is 15 – 20 students.
What are the hours? How many hours per week am I in class?
Classroom sessions and clinical rotations average 35-40 hours per week. Hours vary, but typically run 6:30 AM – 2:00 PM Monday-Friday.
When your clinical rotation begins, the schedule is built around 8 hour clinical days and start times can vary based on your assigned facility.
How many clinical hours are needed to complete the course?
We schedule 840 total clinical hours.
Where are the clinical sites?
We have sites at outpatient facilities and acute care facilities throughout the state of Arizona. Sites can vary year to year.
Am I assured a clinical site in the greater Phoenix area?
While we try to accommodate all Phoenix area students with a clinical site in the greater Phoenix area, there are only so many clinical sites available in the greater Phoenix area every year; so, students must be prepared to go as far as Tucson or Yuma to complete their clinical rotation.
What is your job placement rate?
We historically place over 90% of our students!
Will you help me find a job in the sonography field after I graduate?
We work with all graduates to help them secure a job in the sonography field by posting job listings, networking and helping to construct resumes showcasing applicable skills.
After passing my Boards, will I be qualified to work at any hospital nationwide? Do I need to complete any other degrees to work as a sonographer?
We require passing the CCI registry exam in order to complete the program, which will give you a nationally recognized credential and you will not need more credentials. The cost of the exam is included in your tuition, but if you do not pass the first time you will be financially responsible for any subsequent attempts.
Are you accredited?
Not currently, but we are in the process of accreditation.
Frequently asked:
about application process and tuition
Do you have a catalog with all the details of the program?
Yes! You can download the full catalog here.
What are the prerequisites for the Arizona Heart Foundation School of Ultrasound Program?
You must be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or GED.
Do any of my classes/credits I took for another program count? Can I transfer credits?
No, we do not accept credits from other programs. Regardless of your background you must complete the Ultrasound Program in its entirety.
How much does this program cost?
$28,950 which includes tuition, registration fee, textbooks, equipment, supplies, and a one-time national certification exam fee.
If you are outside the Phoenix metro area, you may need to find housing for a few months. However, most clinical rotations can be done in your hometown.
Additional Expenses
- Passport-type photo
- Fingerprint clearance card
- Background check
- 12-panel drug screening
- Current BLS or ACLS card
- Proof of medical insurance
- Any additional testing or documentation that may be required by a clinical site
If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?
We do not offer Title IV, federally-funded aid. But we do offer competitive and customizable student loans through our financing partner, Meritize, including loan payment deferral while in school and up to 3 months post-graduation.
We also offer a $3,000 discount off the cost of the program if tuition is paid in-full before the start of the program.
If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Can I use federal financial aid to pay for the program?
Are you accredited?
Not currently, but we are in the process of accreditation.
How do I apply?
We make the application process easy by allowing you complete your application on-line.
What information or documents do I need to complete the online application?
Along with basic contact information including name, address, phone number, and email, you should have the following information available:
- High School Information:
- Name & Location
- Years Attended
- Major (if appropriate)
- Graduation Date
- GPA
- High School Transcript
you must have a copy of your transcript that you can include with your application. - College Information
(if appropriate):- Name & Location
- Years Attended
- Major (if appropriate)
- Graduation Date
- GPA
- College Transcript
(if appropriate) – you must have a copy of your transcript that you can include with your application. - Medical Training
(if appropriate):- Name & Location
- Years Attended
- Major (if appropriate)
- Graduation Date
- GPA
- Ultrasound Training
(if appropriate):- Name & Location
- Years Attended
- Major (if appropriate)
- Graduation Date
- GPA
- References
At least 3 people not related to you who you have known for at least one year. - Letters of Recommendation
At least 2 letters of recommendation that can be submitted with your application.
Your next class start date is almost a year away. Is there anything I should be doing in the meantime to be better prepared?
- If you are in a position to take anatomy/physiology, and/or medical terminology at your local community college it would certainly give you a head start.
- If you are not in a position to take the above mentioned classes, do your own independent internet study ahead of your start date.
- Try to set up times to shadow someone in the ultrasound field to make sure it is a good fit for you.
- If you cannot shadow someone in the field, contact us to schedule a time to observe a scan lab.
*Statistics from the Bureau of Labor
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm