The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) has long supported efforts to create advanced sonographer career opportunities and we are pleased to recognize and commend those who have helped make significant progress in the development of advanced sonography.
Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) has taken the necessary steps to create and implement the new Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS) credential.
CCI President Ken Horton, ACS, RCS, RCIS, FASE stated, “In response to the ever evolving role of cardiac sonographers, CCI developed the Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS) credential to expand a career track for sonographers who practice at an advanced level. The ACS examination and designation will distinguish cardiac sonographers who are qualified to work in an advanced capacity.”
The SDMS is pleased to recognize the SDMS members who received the ACS credential during the pilot program:
David Adams, RDCS, RCS, ACS, FSDMS
Serena Bierig, MPH, RDMS, RDCS, RCS, CPHQ, ACS, FSDMS, FASE
Paul Braum, BS, RDCS, RVT, RCS, RVS, ACS
Merri Bremer, EdD, RN, RDCS, ACS
Joy Guthrie, PhD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RCS, RCCS, RVS, ACS, FSDMS
Jeffrey Hill, BS, RDCS, ACS, FASE
Kenneth Horton, RCS, ACS, FASE
Joseph Kreeger, RDCS, RCCS, ACS, FASE
Ricky Meece, RDCS, RCS, RCIS, ACS, FASE
Carol Mitchell, PhD, RT(R), RDMS, RDCS, RVT, ACS, FSDMS, FASE
Richard Palma, BS, RDCS, RCS, ACS, FASE
Margaret Park, BS, RDCS, RVT, ACS, FASE
Narayana Prasad, MD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RMSK, RCS, RVS, RCCS, ACS
Brad Roberts, RCS, ACS
Marsha Roberts, RDCS, RCS, ACS, FASE
Jason Walsh, RCS, RCIS, CCT, CRAT, ACS
Julie White, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, ACS, FASE
Tina Yost, RDCS, RVT, ACS
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can take the examination beginning November 2, 2015 and CCI is now accepting applications. Another pathway to qualify for the new ACS examination is to graduate from an advanced cardiac sonography educational program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Earlier this year, the SDMS Board of Directors voted to become a sponsoring organization of the Committee on Accreditation of Cardiovascular Sonography (CoA-ACS). The CoA-ACS serves, under the auspices of the CAAHEP, to promote and advance the quality of educational programs for advanced cardiovascular sonographers.
The Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Advanced Cardiac Sonography Program in Fresno, California is the first advanced cardiac sonography program in existence and they will begin accepting applications in late August with a start date of January 2016. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree (any subject), be a credentialed sonographer in adult echocardiography (RDCS or RCS), and have three years of clinical experience in an echocardiography lab to apply to the program. The objective of the educational program is to prepare graduates who are committed to improving lab quality and efficiency through preparing preliminary echo assessments, performing advanced echocardiograms, mentoring fellows, students, residents, and staff, developing and implementing educational plans, facilitating continuous quality improvement, and coordinating cardiac sonography research. Please note that this program is not yet accredited by CAAHEP, but plans to apply for accreditation.
“The need for the establishment of Advanced Cardiac Sonography programs has been recognized for many years. I truly believe there is a need for at least one Advanced Cardiac Sonographer in every cardiology department to ensure quality, efficiency, and clinical oversight. I am humbled by the tireless efforts of so many people who facilitated the establishment of accreditation and credentialing standards to provide this opportunity. This is one of many programs that will fill this very vital need in the future,” said Joy Guthrie, PhD., ACS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS an Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCSF-Fresno Echocardiography and the Immediate Past President of the SDMS.
“The hybrid design of our Advanced Cardiac Sonography program allows for working adults to complete the program with minimal residency requirements. The goal is to provide a formal educational pathway for credentialed cardiac sonographers to gain advanced knowledge and skills to become clinical and/or administrative leaders in their respective departments as well as assist them in preparing for the Advanced Cardiac Sonographer credential."
For more information on the ACS credential, please visit: www.cci-online.org/acs
To view the complete list of people who received the ACS credential during the pilot program, please visit: http://cci-online.org/sites/default/files/ACS Poster.pdf
For more information on the CoA-ACS, please visit: http://www.caahep.org/coa-acs
For more information on the CRMC Advanced Cardiac Sonography Program, please visit: www.communitymedical.org/acsp