School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)
The goal of the CNM Cardiovascular Sonography program is to prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the following concentrations it offers: Adult Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Sonography. A sonographer is a health care professional who uses high-frequency sound waves as a diagnostic tool to view the human body in order to aid the physician in the determination of a diagnosis. Students study the use of sound waves to generate images of various parts of the human body. The successful graduate will have the ability to conceptualize in 3-dimensional form. The program provides classroom didactic instruction, hands-on scanning, laboratory instruction and clinical experiences in a variety of medical facilities and outpatient diagnostic centers. Students are prepared to sit for the credentialing exams administered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International in the specialty areas of Cardiac and Vascular Sonography. Successful completion of these exams results in attaining the RCS (Registered Cardiac Sonographer) and RVS (Registered Vascular Specialist) credentials, respectively.
The Cardiovascular Sonography program is not yet accredited.
This program’s first term courses are offered in the spring term only. This may delay a student’s program start date. Please check with an advisor for more information.
See Recommended Sequence of Courses
Educational Option Information
- This educational option is an: Associate of Applied Science
- This educational option can be completed: Full-time
- This educational option is designed for: qualifies students interested in pursuing a career in sonography
- This educational option can be started: Spring
- Primary course location: South Valley
Special Requirements
Program Entry Registration Screening
This is a “Coordinated Program Entry” program; students must complete a pre-registration screening process administered through the Coordinated Program Entry Office before being eligible to register for program courses.
Physical Requirements
Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.
Criminal Background
Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregiver’s criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure.
Felony Conviction
Students will be asked to declare any felony convictions which may impact clinical placement while in the program. Each case will need to be reviewed by program officials and CNM administration
Transportation
Students will need to be able to travel to clinical assignments within the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho/Santa Fe metro areas and to classes/labs at the CNM South Valley Campus.
Cost and Financial Aid
Approximate Costs of this Educational Option
Financial Aid Considerations
Additional Supplies
Through student fees each student will be provided with an iPad and case with keyboard, Apple pencil with cover, scrubs and patches, subscription to ASE Curriculum resource, Complete Anatomy and Typhon clinical tracking resources.
Educational Opportunities
Credits may be transferred to UNM for Radiologic Sciences BS. Upon program completion students are eligible to sit for credentialing exams in Cardiac and Vascular Sonography.
Career Opportunities
There is currently a nationwide demand for registered sonographers. Graduates will be employed as sonographers in hospitals, physician’s offices and private sonography practices.
Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.
For the graduation policy refer to the Graduating from CNM section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.
Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses
Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.
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