How Can I Become a Registered Vascular Technician?

There are many careers in healthcare, and most of them don't require you to become a doctor. If you're particularly interested in the circulatory system, you may want to become a registered vascular technician.

In this article, we'll answer questions about this career, such as what a registered vascular technician is, what they do, and the steps you can take to become one.

What Is a Registered Vascular Technician?

Registered vascular technicians are commonly referred to as registered vascular technologists or sonographers. They specialize in performing diagnostic imaging of the blood vessels.

These healthcare professionals use ultrasound technology to scan a patient's vascular system, monitoring the flow of blood and looking for blockages or other abnormalities.

Registered vascular technicians perform other job duties, as well, including:

• explaining procedures to patients and answering questions
• positioning patients and operating machinery to capture high-quality images
• assessing image quality and repeating the exam if necessary
• keeping a positive attitude to help ease patient concerns
• analyzing test results and updating patient records

Most registered vascular technicians work under a doctor's supervision. The majority of them are employed by hospitals, outpatient clinics, diagnostic imaging centers, and other healthcare facilities.

They typically work full-time hours. Depending on their place of employment, they may be required to work long or irregular shifts, extensive overtime, and some nights, holidays, or weekends.

What Skills and Qualities Does a Registered Vascular Technician Need?

Registered vascular technicians need to have a strong understanding of the complex equipment they use to capture ultrasound images. They must also be skilled at basic medical care techniques.

They need to be adept at data entry and report writing, both of which require good computer skills and a knowledge of using specific software programs.

Registered vascular technicians must have excellent interpersonal skills, as they often interact with nervous patients from every walk of life. They must be kind, empathetic, and positive.

They also need to be good at both verbal and written communication. This will help them when communicating with both patients and other caregivers, as well as when writing reports.

Registered vascular technicians are highly analytical. They must have strong critical thinking skills and be able to determine any abnormal findings, so these can be reported to the supervising physician.

Finally, registered vascular technicians should be well organized. This will help them keep accurate records and maintain an efficient work space.

So, are you ready to become a registered vascular technician? Keep reading to find out how.

Step 1: Obtain a High School Diploma or GED

The first step in becoming a registered vascular technician is earning a high school diploma or obtaining an equivalency diploma (GED).

This is an important prerequisite because you will need to attend college to receive training as a vascular technologist.

Start preparing for your future career while you are still in high school. Good classes to take include biology, anatomy and physiology, physics, and advanced mathematics.

Keeping your grades up will give you a better chance of being accepted into the college program of your choice.

If you are already out of school and need to obtain a GED, spend some time studying for the exams and preparing to earn the highest scores possible.

Step 2: Obtain an Associate or Bachelor's Degree

After high school, you'll need to enter an appropriate college training program to learn how to become a registered vascular technician.

Associate and bachelor's degree programs are available through colleges, universities, and community colleges. Look for programs in sonography or vascular technology.

The program you choose should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

In your program, you will receive training in how to use ultrasound equipment. You may also learn to operate other machinery, as well, such as the instruments used in MRIs and CT scans.

Associate degree programs will typically take about two years to complete. Bachelor's degree programs will include more extensive education and are usually completed in about four years.

Step 3: Get Certified

It's possible to get some jobs without becoming certified. However, to become a registered vascular technician, certification is necessary, and it will make you eligible for a wider range of job opportunities.

To become certified, you'll need to take the registered vascular technologist exam through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

The test will cover general sonography topics, such as instrument use and common procedures. It will also test your specific knowledge of vascular technology.

Upon passing the test, you will receive your credentials as a registered vascular technologist (RVT) and may begin applying for vascular technician jobs.

Step 4: Find a Job

Begin searching for open positions as a vascular technician.

Alternatively, you could start by finding an entry-level job in general sonography to gain work experience and to improve your chances of being hired.

Regardless of the path you choose, you can find job openings by searching online job boards and hiring websites.

You can also attend job fairs and check the employment webpages of hospitals and clinics in your area. It may take some time to find the ideal job for you; just be patient and don't give up.

Become a Registered Vascular Technician Today

If you'd like to make a difference in the healthcare field by uncovering blood and blood vessel disorders, becoming a registered vascular technician may be a rewarding career path for you.