Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Adult Echocardiography Certificate

An introduction to medical terminology, scanning techniques and procedures with hands-on experience in a lab setting. Emphasis is placed on the sonographic explanation of the normal adult heart.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Recall basic rules of medical terminology and remember the most common terms used in adult echocardiography. (C11, 12; F1, 2, 9)
  2. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the normal heart including basic hemodynamics and pressure values in the heart. (C11, 12, 13, 15; F1, 2, 9, 10)
  3. Discuss appropriate indications and limitations of the transthoracic echo examination. (C11, 12, 13; F9, 10, 11)
  4. Identify the basic hemodynamic equations used for the various heart chambers and valves of the heart. (C11, 12, 13; F9, 10, 11)
  5. Know the scanning planes and windows, and obtain standard images of a transthoracic adult echocardiographic examination. (C11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20; F8, 9, 10)
  6. Know and perform tissue Doppler and speckle tracking procedures. (C11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20; F8, 9, 10)
  7. Identify common normal values of M-mode, 2D, Spectral Doppler, and Color Doppler required for interpretation of the normal echocardiogram. (C11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20; F8, 9, 10)
Required Textbooks

Echocardiography – The Normal Examination and Echocardiographic Measurements  3rd edition. Bonita Anderson - Echotext. ISBN: 978-0-9923-2221-2

                    Adult Echocardiography Review 2nd Edition.
                     Carol Mitchell, PhD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT(R), ACS, FASE, FSDMS,

                     Bridgett Willey, MS, RDMS, RVT, RDCS, RT(R) Davies Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-9410-2281-1

Evaluation Standards

Assignments                                     20%

Lab Competencies                           30%

Quizzes                                               10%

Exams (Midterm & Final)              40%

Grading Standards:

  • A                    92-100%
  • B                     85-91%
  • C                     78-84%
  • F                     <78%

You must achieve a minimum of 78% or higher to pass this course. The components of your course grade are the Assignments (20%); the Lab Competencies (30%); the Quizzes (10%); and the exams  (40%) - Midterm & Final.

Absences

Attendance is the biggest predictor of your success. Attendance at every class is expected. You will be allowed to miss 2 class days (except for test days) and/or two lab days (if applicable) without it adversely affecting your grade. Every absence over the allotted days will result in your final grade being reduced by one letter grade. Three tardies of 1-14 minutes each count as one day absent. If you are more than 15 minutes late to lecture or lab it will constitute an absence. You are required to notify the instructor prior to any absence. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence.                

An exam missed because of an excused absence must be made up the day that you return to class. An exam missed because of an unexcused absence may not be made up, and you will receive a grade of zero (0) for that exam. Pop quizzes may not be made up under any circumstances.

All class and clinical assignments are due on their appointed dates at the designated time. Failure to submit an assignment on time will result in a grade of "0" to be given for the assignment. Although a grade of "0" will be given, the individual instructor reserves the right to ask for completion of the assignment. Failure to comply with request will result in incompletion of the course.                                            

Cell phones shall be stored on silent in your backpack, handbag, or purse. Cell phones may be accessed during breaks.                                                                                                  

A student shall retain all rights to work created as part of instruction or using College District technology resources.

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
SCANS

The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) identified Competencies in the area of Resources, Interpersonal, Information, Systems, and Technology; and foundation skills in the areas of Basic Skills, Thinking Skills, and Personal Qualities.  This course is part of a program in which each of these Competencies and skills are integrated.  The specific SCANS Competencies that are recognized throughout this course are noted at the end of the appropriate Competencies or task listed.