Travel adult echo tech career guide
Within the ultrasound discipline is the adult echocardiography specialty. Travel adult echocardiography technicians, sometimes called sonographers, use ultrasound technology to take images of a patient’s heart to better understand its condition.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, diagnostic medical sonographer and cardiovascular technologist/technician jobs are expected to increase by 10%, which is faster than the nation’s average job growth projection rate. We created this guide to answer the most common questions about the field of travel echocardiography technology, and help you start your allied health journey with Nomad Health.
What do travel adult echocardiography techs do?
Travel adult echocardiography technicians travel the country taking short-term contracts (usually about 13 weeks, with possibility for extension) in different facilities. These ultrasound techs have specialized in conducting echocardiograms, which are tests that use sound waves to create images of the heart. As the name suggests, they’re most experienced working with adults.
Types of echocardigrams travelers work with
There are different types of echocardiograms, and it’s important to be familiar with multiple. The American Heart Association specifies the following: transthoracic echocardiography
- stress echocardiography
- transesophageal echocardiography
- three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography
Travel adult echocardiography technicians use sonography technology to inspect heart size and shape, pumping strength, blood vessels, valves, outer lining, and more. These images allow healthcare professionals to see how the heart is functioning, and potentially identify critical issues, including blood clots, tumors, or abnormal holes.
The field of echocardiography can be incredibly rewarding; the results of ultrasound tests provide valuable insight into a patient’s condition, and can help lead to informed diagnosis and impactful treatment.
How much does a travel adult echocardiography tech earn?
At Nomad Health, the average travel adult echocardiography technician makes approximately $2,613 a week, including stipend.* A lot of factors may impact this number, including personal experience and certifications, as well as outside factors such as industry demand, the state’s average cost of living, and facility rates.
*based on Nomad Health job data October 17, 2023
What certifications do travel adult echo techs need?
Nomad Health accepts certifications from two different organizations: the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography® and Cardiovascular Credentialing International. Earning a certificate from either body proves expertise in the field, and may lead to better job and pay opportunities.
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography®, or ARDMS®, offers the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential, with the possibility of specialization in Adult Echocardiography. In order to earn this certification, you must take the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam and the Adult Echocardiography (AE) specialization exam within five years. Head to their website to make sure you meet the education requirements for the certification exam, as there are different education and experience combinations to qualify.
Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)
Cardiovascular Credentialing International offers the Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) certification, the Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) certification, and the Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS) certification, all of which are relevant to travel adult echocardiography technicians. Each certification has a number of educational prerequisite options, so make sure you read through each and find the route that best matches your background.
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Travel adult echocardiography technicians should also have their Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
How do you become a licensed travel adult echo tech?
Similar to other allied health disciplines, there are different educational and professional routes you can take to become a travel adult echocardiography technician. In general, it can take about two to four years of schooling and on-the-job training before getting your career started.
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography® (ARDMS®) specifies a few different experience and education paths in order to qualify for their Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam, which is a prereq for their credentialing exams. One option is to successfully complete a two-year allied health program, and then 12 months of full-time clinical ultrasound or vascular experience. Another option is to complete or be enrolled in a four-year program for a Bachelor’s degree with a focus in sonography or vascular technology. For a full list of requirements, head to their website.
Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) has their own set of certification requirements depending on the specific credential. Learn more about each credential here.
In addition to specialized certifications, Nomad Health requires you to have 12 months of on-the-job experience within the last three years, and be able to pass our adult echocardiography skills test. Different facilities may have additional requirements. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to travel adult echocardiography jobs, but you can use some of the certification guidelines as goals when pursuing this field.
Frequently asked questions about travel adult echo techs
- At Nomad Health, the average travel adult echocardiography technician makes approximately $2,613 a week. Depending on your experience, certifications, and industry demand, this number can fluctuate. based on Nomad Health job data October 17, 2023
- You can find travel adult echocardiography jobs at nomadhealth.com. Once you register, create an account, and build your Profile, you can browse a wide selection of ultrasound technician jobs across the United States, which includes adult echocardiography. At Nomad, you can sort your job search results by factors that matter most to you, such as location, shift schedule, and pay rate.
- A travel adult echocardiology technician, also referred to as a sonographer, is a type of ultrasound technician that works specifically with heart imaging of adult patients. Using ultrasound technology, these healthcare professionals are able to capture images of a patient’s heart, and help the clinical team inspect for any abnormalities.
- The path to becoming a travel adult echocardiology technician isn’t always a linear one; some paths involve more schooling, and others include more on-the-job experience. In general, it can take about 2-4 years to become a travel adult echocardiology technician.
Travel adult echo tech healthcare sources
- American Heart Association. (n.d.). Echocardiogram (Echo). Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/echocardiogram-echo
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Echocardiogram. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/echocardiogram
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm
- American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). (n.d.). General Prerequisites. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.ardms.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/ARDMS-General-Prerequisites-ARDMS-Physician-Call-Out-2.pdf
- Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). (n.d.). Get Credentialed. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://cci-online.org/credentials/get-credentialed/
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