Vascular technologists examine images of a patient's vascular system as a part of a physician's diagnostic procedure.
Vascular technologists assist physicians with diagnosing and treating ailments that are related to the circulatory system. Examining blood flow within the veins and arteries while performing various non-invasive procedures to determine oxygen saturation are a few of the duties that vascular technologists must perform on a daily basis. Many new employment opportunities at hospitals are in jobs related to the cardiology department. This means that vascular technologists jobs are on the rise and the field is expected to grow 26 percent by the year 2016.
Job Description
Physicians need vascular technologists to perform specific tests on patients during and after surgery. These tests are carried out on the vascular system of the patient's body. Vascular technologists then make reports and physicians use these summaries in order to diagnose and treat patients. Non-invasive technology is the primary procedure that vascular technologists use to carry out various tests. Non-invasive technology doesn't involve the use of inserting probes and instruments inside of a patient's body. Vascular technologists must be educated and certified with the use of Doppler Ultrasound equipment and other apparatuses to carry out this process.
Education
Training can be obtained by gaining work experience while being employed in a cardiovascular department. Many vascular technologists are taught within an accredited college or university. There are minimum educational requirements for becoming a vascular technologist that involve acquiring a two-year associate's degree. Four-year programs are becoming more common and individuals who obtain a bachelor's degree within this field are given higher salaries and greater opportunities for advancement.
Exams
Individuals who want to obtain certification as vascular technologists must undergo the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) Exam, and they must pass the specialty exam for Vascular Technology (VT). Since vascular technologists are trained with sonography equipment, they're also called vascular sonographers. They will earn certification in the areas of basic physical principles and instrumentation if they pass the SPI. VT exams are three hours long and consist of 150 multiple choice questions. Once a vascular technologist passes both tests, she will earn her certification and then become a registered vascular technologist.
Certification
Certification is a mandatory part of employment in some states and in other states it's not a requirement in order to be hired for the job. Employers usually prefer their employees to be registered in order to prove that they are qualified to work in the area of vascular technology. Certification will allow technologists to have greater mobility within their field. Opportunities such as working in a research laboratory or in an educational environment, becomes a possibility with this type of credentialing.
Benefits
Certified vascular technologists usually head cardiovascular departments and they also are placed in charge of technicians. Technologists acquire more instruction during their educational process and are given more responsibility within the field. They are also included within a network of certified vascular technologists and they can work in areas of education, business and research.
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