Vascular Ultrasound and Technology, BS

Description of the Profession

The vascular sonographer plays a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with disorders of arteries and veins. These include atherosclerosis that may result in strokes or gangrene of the extremities, blood clots in veins that may break off and travel to the lungs and possibly cause death, aneurysms that may burst and many other pathologies of the circulatory system. A vascular sonographer is responsible for taking the patient’s history; performing the appropriate test using high-tech, noninvasive equipment such as ultrasound; documenting and analyzing the data and images; and preparing a preliminary report for the physician to interpret. The sonographer has extensive direct interaction with patients, physicians, coworkers and other hospital personnel. The work requires physical, intellectual and communication skills.

Program Description

Students in the Vascular Ultrasound and Technology Program are taught by vascular sonographers and physicians who are experienced practitioner-teachers in the field. The basic program is full-time and consists of 21 months (seven quarters) of study. The first three quarters consist of nine months of classroom, student laboratory work and observation of patient examinations. The second-year students perform the vascular examinations learned during first year on patients under the direction of credentialed and experienced vascular sonographers at two or more vascular laboratories during the year. The clinical sites include the university hospitals in Chicago as well as some community hospitals and out-of-state sites. During the second year, students also participate in senior lectures, patient case presentations and vascular conference. Students earn a Bachelor of Science degree and are eligible to take the certification examination in vascular ultrasound after graduation.

Program Accreditation

The Vascular Ultrasound Program is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Alllied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) at 1632 Clearwater, FL and www.caahep.org (phone 727-210-2350) through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

Observation

• Have sufficient eyesight to observe details in black and white as well as color images, observe patients, equipment monitors, equipment controls and paperwork with easy transition from one to the other, with or without accommodation
• Have a sufficient level of hearing to determine changes in frequency and amplitude of sounds

Communication

• Have a sufficient level of hearing and speech to be able to communicate clearly, efficiently, effectively and sensitively with patients, their families, and the health care team in English.
• Have sufficient level of writing skills to communicate clearly, efficiently, effectively and concisely with the health care team in English.

Motor

• Have a normal range of motion and strength to perform large motor tasks such as moving patients from chair to bed with a coworker, placing patients in correct position for the examination and pushing or pulling large wheeled equipment up and down ramps and long hallways
• Have good hand-eye coordination, normal range of digital/hand/arm dexterity, and hand and arm strength and control
• Be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time ranging up to three hours in duration
• Have a normal range of flexibility to reach, bend, and stoop
• Be able to move from room to room and in small spaces around equipment and patients
• Travel to clinical sites

Behavioral and Interpersonal Attributes

Students must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Exercise good judgment.
• Interact respectfully with all individuals
• Maintain a clean, neat and healthy appearance at all times.
• Promptly complete all responsibilities.
• Safely perform all tasks.
• Function effectively under average amounts of stress with occasional periods of taxing workloads.
• Adapt to changing environments.
• Display flexibility.
• Function in the face of uncertainties inherent in clinical practice.
• Function compassionately, with integrity and concern for others.
• Interact with the staff as a team member and with integrity.
• Maintain the confidentiality of patients and medical information.
• Perform tasks in a timely manner.

Academic Performance

• Obtain information from lectures, labs, reading assignments, audiovisual materials and written materials including texts, graphs, images and video.
• Use a computer keyboard.
• Perform analyses, measurements, calculations, reasoning and problem-solving tasks.
• Take multiple-choice, short-answer and essay tests.
• Deliver presentations.
• Take proficiency lab examinations.
• Perform vascular exams on patients in a clinical setting.
• Perform tasks in a timely manner.

Good Academic Standing

High academic performance is expected in required courses. Students will be considered in good standing unless placed on academic probation. An annual cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required to be eligible to continue in the program. A grade of “C” or higher in the required courses is necessary to be eligible to continue in the program; a grade of “D” or “F” may result in dismissal from the program. The faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of a student whose conduct, health or performance demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in a health profession. Any such student not voluntarily withdrawing will be dismissed from the University.

Academic Probation

Academic probation is assigned to any student who receives a quarterly grade point average below 2.0, or whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. Students placed on probation have one quarter in which to regain good standing. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the University.

Clinical Work

A student may not be paid as an employee during clinical credit hours. Also, a student may not count any paid work as an employee for clinical credit hours in the program.

Blood Borne Pathogen and Communicable Disease Policy

If a student is exposed to a blood-borne pathogen or communicable disease, he or she should report to the emergency room for care.

Student Academic Appeals and Grievance Procedure

A student wishing to appeal an academic decision should follow the College of Health Sciences appeal process in the CHS policies section of the university catalog.

College of Health Sciences/Rush University Academic Policies

Please see the College of Health Sciences academic policies section of the university catalog. In addition, the Academic Resources and Policies section of this catalog contains Rush University academic policies.

Year 1

Year 2

Hours Required for BS Degree: 96

Advanced Placement

Admitted students who have passed the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam or earned the RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist) credential may request advanced placement status in the program. With proof of passing these credentialing exams students can qualify to receive credits according to the advanced placement description in the Vascular Ultrasound Program website: www.rushu.rush.edu/vastech.