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Ultrasound Technician
Diagnostic ultrasound technology and echocardiography (ECG) are rapidly expanding health care fields where the need for technician continues. The program consists of four (4) modules with a total of 71 units and 1740 hours, and covers both areas mentioned above. Graduates have opportunities for employment in: hospitals, clinics, physicians’ private offices, imaging centers, mobile services, and also in marketing, sales and product development for the equipment manufacturers.
An ultrasound technician is a skilled professional who uses equipment producing high-frequency sound waves to create diagnostic images and data that helps health care professionals to diagnose patients with disease. Ultrasound imaging is used on many parts of the body, including the abdomen, blood vessels, and the developing fetus of a pregnant woman. After an extensive and comprehensive educational process, the technician is also qualified to perform an echocardiography exam. The primary role of this test is to obtain an ultrasound image of the heart, including hemodynamic information. This requires great performance skills and the understanding of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
(ALL COURSES ARE GIVEN SEQUENTIALLY)
Program length: 80 weeks for daytime or evening classes of a full-time student.
| Course Number |
Course Names and Modules |
Lecture Hours |
Lab Hours |
Internship/Self-study Hours |
Total Contact Hours |
Units |
| MODULE 1, core courses |
| UT 10 |
Physical Principles of Ultrasound |
45 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
3 |
| UT 20 |
Medical Terminology |
45 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
3 |
| UT 30 |
Anatomy and Physiology |
45 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
3 |
| MODULE 2, advanced ultrasound courses |
| UT 110 |
Ultrasound Principles and Protocols |
45 |
30 |
0 |
75 |
4 |
| UT 130 |
OB/GYN Ultrasound |
45 |
30 |
0 |
75 |
4 |
| UT 140 |
OB/GYN Scanning (Lab) |
0 |
120 |
0 |
120 |
4 |
| UT 150 |
Abdomen and Small Parts I |
45 |
30 |
0 |
75 |
4 |
| UT 160 |
Abdomen and Small Parts II |
30 |
30 |
45 |
105 |
4 |
| UT 170 |
Abdomen and Small Parts Scanning (Lab) |
0 |
120 |
0 |
120 |
4 |
| MODULE 3, advanced ECG courses |
| UT 115 |
Introduction to Echocardiography |
45 |
30 |
0 |
75 |
4 |
| UT 125 |
ECG and Arrhythmias Interpretation |
45 |
30 |
0 |
75 |
4 |
| UT 135 |
Echo Imaging |
45 |
30 |
0 |
75 |
4 |
| UT 145 |
Echo Scanning (Lab) |
0 |
120 |
0 |
120 |
4 |
| UT 155 |
Doppler Vascular Imaging |
45 |
30 |
0 |
75 |
4 |
| UT 165 |
Vascular Scanning (Lab) |
0 |
120 |
0 |
120 |
4 |
| UT 175 |
Advanced Echo Imaging |
30 |
30 |
45 |
105 |
4 |
| UT 185 |
Advanced Echo Imaging (Lab) |
0 |
120 |
0 |
120 |
4 |
| MODULE 4, externships |
| UT 280A |
Praticum / Externship I |
0 |
0 |
135 |
135 |
3 |
| UT 280B |
Practicum / Externship II |
0 |
0 |
135 |
135 |
3 |
| |
Total: |
510 |
870 |
360 |
1740 |
71 |
The maximum time permitted for the certificate completion (MTCC) is four (4) years for the academic part of the program for the full-time (minimum 12 units per semester) students, or eight (8) years for the academic part of the program for part-time students.
A maximum of 32 credit units can be transferred from other institutions for the educational Modules 1-3. Work experience in the field can be counted as credit units for the externships (Module 4). The maximum time for the certificate completion is influenced by the transferred credit units, calculated during the registration, and is determined by the formula:
MTCC (in years, excluding externship) = 4 – (the number of transferred credit units)/24.
Students should register to each Module, similar to a semester registration. During each registration cycle, students pay undergraduate rate per unit (currently $345) for their tuition and are also subject to different fees. For the educational Modules 1-3, the fees are the same as for a semester registration of degree students, with an ultrasound lab fee of $100 substituting the computer lab fee. For the externships or the Module 4, students pay registration fee, an externship insurance fee ($10 per unit) and special fees, depending upon their status.
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