Non-invasive Cardiovascular Sonographer is a comprehensive training program which also includes Clinical Externship. Main concentration of this training program is Non-Invasive Echocardiography.

Non-invasive echocardiography/ echocardiograms commonly known as an ultrasound of the heart can be performed in the office to capture a two dimensional view of the heart and its components. Cardiac ultrasound or echocardiography is a medical imaging procedure in which the goal is to generate a picture of the heart for the purpose of evaluating a heart condition or suspected heart problem. Like other types of ultrasound imaging, cardiac ultrasound is non-invasive and painless, and it can be performed as an outpatient procedure in a clinic or hospital.

Ultrasound imaging relies on the use of high frequency sound waves to create a picture of the inside of the body. The waves are emitted by a transducer which also picks up the waves when they bounce back, generating a picture on the basis of the way in which the sound waves change as they bounce off objects in the chest cavity. In a basic cardiac ultrasound, a  flat picture of the heart is produced, and it is also possible to generate a three dimensional ultrasound image with the use of an array of transducers. Both still images and video can be captured with echocardiography.

In a cardiac ultrasound, the patient chest will be exposed and covered in a conductive gel. The ultrasound technician or doctor will move the transducera cross the chest, occasionally changing angles to get a better picture.

Exercise treadmill tests may be performed in to monitor the heart during a specific period of exertion while walking briskly on the treadmill.The echo cardiogram & the exercise treadmill test can be combined to capture an image of the heart at peak exertion and during the relaxation period following the exercise. If someone is unable to walk safely on a treadmill, then a pharmaceutical version of this test called an adenosine cardiolite may be used where an injection is given to simulate the exercise exertion to the heart followed by the resting period while the patient lies flat on a table with a camera taking pictures during each phase. A stress cardiolite may also be available for those patients who will perform low level treadmill exercise with an injection given to enhance the quality of the pictures for the physician review.

Having completed this program the students will have sufficient knowledge and skills to work in an Ultrasound/Sonography Center or Hospital Sonography Department as an Ultrasound (Echo) Technician. Routine tasks include registration of patients, setting up appointments, operating the systems and perform ultrasound (echo) procedures. The course provides sufficient theory and practical knowledge so as to enable the students to challenge a National Certification Examination. Upon the completion of both Didactic and Clinical parts of the Program, College will conduct a comprehensive exam and those who will get aminimum of 70% score will be awarded the Certificate of Completion.

Citi College of Allied Health now offers Hospital based Clinical Externship to its students registered in this program. However, College reserves the right to assign the student to any available Clinical Site.

Because of the Hospital based clinical externship assignments/ rotations,the enrolment in this program is limited. Please contact the school to check the present enrolment and waiting list status. 

Clinicals/Hospital Externship: 800 Hrs

Program Includes:

This program curriculum consists of two Modules.

First Module:

Cardiology Tech - duration 4 months
Training In EKG, Holter monitoring and Stress Testing
Up to 200 hours of Hospital based Externship at our affiliated Hospitals
Eligibility for Certified Cardiographic Certification through the CCI Registry 

Second Module:

Cardio-Vascular Sonography - duration 14 months
Hands-on training in CARDIAC ultrasound (also called ultrasound of the heart or ECHO)
Hands-on training in VASCULAR Ultrasound
Hands-on training on Acuson, Toshiba and GE Machines
Externship at our affiliated hospitals or diagnostic centers
Eligibility to the National Certification for Cardiac Ultrasound or EchoTechnologist 

The College offers clinical Externship option to the students enrolled in this program at its affiliated clinical sites. An acknowledgement letter for the completion of the Externship courses will be awarded by the College to those who will complete the Externship course(s). However, clinical Externship courses are presently not required to receive the program completion certificate. For those students who would like to have the eligibility for the Registered Cardiac Sonographer Certification exams offered by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International have to complete a minimum of 800 clinical hours.