Vascular Sonography Technologist – A Career Outlook

Vascular Sonography Technologists are a vital part of sonography team. Working closely with physicians, cardiologists and surgeons, they assist in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of vascular system disorders.   

What is Vascular Sonography?

Vascular Sonography also known as duplex study, is a noninvasive procedure used to examine the body’s circulatory system to detect blockage and clots in the arteries and veins. This procedure has no harmful effects and provides images of the soft tissues that don’t show up on x-ray images.  

How does it work?

Sonography or ultrasound imaging uses a small probe called a transducer and gel placed directly on the skin. High-frequency soundwaves produced through the probe are operated by a computer to create an image. These images are captured in real-time and can show the movement of internal organs and structure.   

The critical factor in vascular sonography is how fast the sound waves return to ultrasound machines. This allows the examiner to calculate the blood flow in the vessel. Fast blood flow is a sign of narrowing/blockage.   

Reasons to perform Vascular Sonography

Vascular ultrasound is performed to evaluate arteries or veins, including blood vessels. It is performed to:  

• Detect clots in the vein
• Diagnose chronic venous insufficiency, or leaky valves causing swelling or edema.
• Evaluate blood flow in to detect the presence, severity and location of the disease.
• Diagnose the narrowing arteries
• Evaluate patients after a bypass or a stent.

Education and Training

Sonography is a versatile field. Some programs allow taking a peek into various areas of ultrasound and then few that offer a speciality in one domain.   

• To work as a vascular sonographer, you can opt for a three-to-four-year program in diagnostic medical sonography or ultrasound technology or Completion of one- or two-year post-diploma program.
• Registration with the College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO) and/or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is usually required.
• Required Credential: To be able to practice as a Vascular Sonography Technologist, one must obtain the Canadian Registered Vascular Sonographer (CRVS®) credential from Sonography Canada.

Job Responsibilities

Vascular sonographer mainly performs the following duties:  

• Operate ultrasound imaging equipment and interpret examination findings.
• Record accurate medical history using the correct terminology and standard abbreviations.
• Monitor examination by viewing images, evaluate the quality and consistency of diagnostic images.
• Record, save and process scanned images.
• Prepare examination reports to aid the physician in diagnosis and monitoring.
• Understanding of legal and ethical professional requirements and comply as per provincial, federal and CMRITO legislations.
• Ensure a safe and comfortable environment for the patient.
• Apply proper body mechanics and ergonomic techniques to ensure self and patiently safety.
• Use critical thinking techniques in understanding and solving complex, unusual and exceptional problems/situations.
• May supervise and train along with other sonographers.

Career Outlook in Canada

Job Bank Canada has listed Vascular Sonographer job outlook in Ontario as Good over the next 3 years. Sonographers with knowledge and experience in more than one speciality have an improved outlook.   It is a regulated profession, and most vascular sonography technologists work in the Hospitals and Clinics.   

Salary

According to 2019 data from the Job Bank Canada, cardiovascular sonography technologists usually earn between $30.00/hour and $44.00/hour in Ontario. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 90% of professionals employed as Cardiovascular Technologists in the US earn an average hourly wage of $45.37/hour. 

How Should You Get Started?

If you are planning a career in healthcare, Vascular Sonography Technologist may be the right start for you.   

As mentioned above, sonographers with knowledge in more than one speciality have an improved career outlook. BizTech College is among one of the very few colleges in Ontario that offers a diploma program in dual modalities – Cardiac and Vascular.   

Our extensive 89 Weeks Cardiovascular Sonography Technologist Diploma offers in-depth knowledge of diagnostic cardiac and vascular sonography. Graduates are eligible for dual credentials in Cardiac and Vascular from Sonography Canada and ARDMS, USA.   

To know more about the program, admission requirements, financial aid options, call us at +1 (905) 212 9039.