Advanced Imaging Program

cedar valley college logo

For Veterinary Technicians

Run in conjunction with Cedar Valley College

*A Certificate of Completion will be awarded to those completing all phases of the program, and participants will receive 35 hrs* of CE for each week completed.

This program is designed to meet the growing demand for graduate veterinary technologists trained in imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and digital radiography. The curriculum is designed to provide the student with both classroom and clinical laboratory experience in the field of advanced imaging. The actual program will be comprised of four one-week sessions.

Program overview

The program is broken up into two sections, Advanced Ultrasound and Advanced Imaging.

VETT 1013: Advanced Ultrasound This course will be divided into three segments: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced techniques of ultrasound. During each segment the student will spend six 8 hour days at the education facility in lecture and lab. They will then return to their practice and complete the segment by working on case presentations which will be evaluated by instructors and at the education center, and outside specialists. Credit for the course will be given after successful completion of all three segments.

VETT 1020: Advanced Imaging This course will provide advanced training in digital radiography, and an introduction to MRI and CT. Students will spend six , 8 hour days learning advanced techniques for digital radiography, MRI, and CT. They will develop case studies for evaluation both in the classroom and after returning to their practice sites. These will be evaluated by the teaching staff of the education center.

Following successful completion of all 4 components of these two classes, students will receive an Advanced Imaging Certificate of Completion from Cedar Valley College.

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Course details and syllabus

Instructors:

June Boon, BA, MS; Jan Bryant, M.S., RDMS, RT; Sonya Gordon, DVM, DVSc., Dipl. ACVIM (Cardiology), Assistant Professor; Joyce Holt, BS, RDCS, Director of Education; Linda Luther, DVM, MVSc, Dipl. ACVIM (Internal Medicine); Matt Miller, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM (Cardiology), Professor; Anthony Pease, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVR

Office:

2409 C Avenue J, Arlington, TX 76006

E-mail:

education@soundvet.com

Class Times:

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 5 PM Monday through Friday
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Saturday

Required Texts and CD-ROM:

Other recommended texts:

Prerequisites:

(1) Applicants must be a graduate of a AVMA accredited veterinary technology program or have an AAS or BS degree in Ultrasonography. All such applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation* from a sponsoring veterinarian.

OR

(2) Applicants that are not graduates of one of the above programs will be considered if they have three years of full-time experience in a veterinary clinic, and they submit two letters of recommendation* from two veterinarians, one of which is the sponsoring veterinarian.

* Letters of recommendation should discuss the candidate's experience, and discuss aspects of their character and professional skills that would contribute to successful completion of the course.

Please mail letters of recommendation to:
Sound Technolgies, Inc.
2409 C Avenue J
Arlington, TX 76006

Registration:

Click here to go to registration page. Check the box next to the appropriate week under Vet Tech Program.

Cost:

$995 per week, 2007 program
$1125 per week, 2008 program

Course Description:

This is an in-depth course covering basic through advanced ultrasound of the abdomen and heart. The course specifically covers anatomy, physiology, physics, imaging artifacts, equipment, scan planes and image protocol, M-mode, normal and abnormal physiology, and pathophysiology of common canine and feline diseases.
The fourth week will cover computed and digital radiography, including physics and applications, digital imaging, PACS, DICOM, and networking. An introduction to nuclear medicine, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, including physics and applications will be presented. Case studies will be presented to illustrate use of the imaging modalities covered.

Course Rationale:

Imaging modalities currently comprise a substantial portion of comparative medicine, laboratory animal medicine, general veterinary practice, and veterinary specialty practice. There is a need for well-educated and competent technical personnel to assist in this arena. A competent technician trained in advanced imaging techniques will contribute to the practice of better medicine by allowing the veterinarian to spend more quality time with the patient. This training and contribution to the practice can lead to a satisfying role for the technician.

Course Objectives:

During the course, attendees will learn the principles and physics of imaging modalities, use of equipment, set up and capture image protocols for abdomen and cardiac ultrasound exams, as well as anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of common canine and feline diseases.

Grading:

The course grade will be determined on the basis of lecture exams, final ultrasound exams, a radiography and other-imaging mode exam, and grades from the laboratory which will include lab practicums and homework assignments. Each exam will be worth 100 points. The grading scale will be as follows:

100-90% of possible points =
89-80% of possible points =
79-70% of possible points =
69-60% of possible points =
59% and below =
 A
B
C
D
F

Students must pass both the lab and lecture to pass the course. Students must also pass the lecture and lab final exam to complete the course.

50+ case studies comprised of both abdomen and cardiac will be required between each of the 3 ultrasound teaching weeks for review with the instructors. 5 Cases each of both abdomen and cardiac will be reviewed by outside specialists between weeks 2 and 3 and 3 and 4.

Attendance Policies:

The Radiology and Special Topics course is an active participatory course. Students must be present in class, both lecture and lab, to demonstrate the hands-on technical expertise needed to complete the course. Absence for any reason is greatly discouraged. You are permitted 1 absence in lecture/lab without penalty. Any additional absence will result in a 5% deduction from your final grade for each absence. Roll will be called at the start of each lecture. Tardiness of greater than 5 minutes in lecture/lab will be considered an absence.

It should be noted by students that preparation for lecture and lab often includes time before and after the regularly scheduled class period. Students are expected to be in attendance at the time stated by the instructor for each laboratory period, regardless of whether this is within the regularly scheduled period for the lab or in addition to that period. If the instructor determines that a student has missed excessive classes/labs or is a danger to patients, the student will be dropped from the class. In addition, students must complete all items on the laboratory task check-off sheet. Failing to do so will result in a failing grade in the course.

Makeup exams and quizzes in the lecture of this course will only be given in cases of extenuating circumstances as determined by the course instructor. If the instructor determines that a makeup exam will be allowed, it must be made up within 1 day of your return to class. The exam may be of a different format than the original test. Except in extenuating circumstances, makeup exams must be scheduled in advance. Lab exams will be actively participatory and may not be made up unless specific arrangements are made with the instructor and the instructor consents to a makeup exam.

Academic Honesty:

Any incidence of cheating in lab or lecture will result in termination of the program for the student.

Withdrawal:

Students may withdraw from this course if they wish. The last day to drop will be the day prior to the beginning of each week onsite. 100% of that weeks fees will be reimbursed if you withdraw prior to the start of that week. If you have already begun that week’s training, no reimbursement is allowed. If you withdraw from the course prior to the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th week of onsite training, reimbursement is only available for that upcoming week, not for any past weeks the student has attended. Withdrawing from a course is a formal procedure that must be initiated by the student. If a student withdraws from the course by the specified date, a grade of “W” will be assigned. If a student stops attending class or fails to withdraw by the above date, a performance grade will be assigned by the instructor. Withdrawing from a course is a serious decision, and your instructor should be consulted before you take this action. Withdrawing may be accomplished through Counseling or the Registrar’s office.

Safety:

There are inherent dangers that exist when working with animals. You will be informed of these dangers as the class progresses. Any animal bites, scratches, or injury should be reported to a staff member, no matter how minor. You will need to follow instructions given by staff members and be prepared both psychologically and physically for any situation that may arise. Anyone not prepared will be asked to leave.

In addition to student safety, the safety of our animal subjects must also be considered. If an instructor feels that a situation involving an animal needs to be resolved in an expeditious manner, the animal’s health and well-being will be considered paramount. Though one of the purposes of the labs in this course is to teach students techniques for advanced imaging with animals, student instruction comes second to the health and well-being of the animals. Students can and will be removed from lab if animal welfare is considered in jeopardy by any of the course instructors. Negligent treatment of animals will be considered grounds for immediate dismissal from the class with a failing grade.

Class Policy:

All cell phones and pagers must be turned off when students are in the classroom and laboratory.

Students with Disabilities:

The instructor will make every effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Please register with Special Services and see one of the instructors during the first week of class so that we can work with you to ensure your success.

Disclaimer:

This syllabus will be followed unless time or circumstances dictate a change.

Financial Aid:

Financial aid will not be available for this course.

Religious Holidays:

Every effort will be made to allow for observance of religious holidays that occur during course lectures/labs.

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Skills and competencies to be developed or practiced (all are essential)

Office and Hospital Procedures and Client Relations

  1. Inform clients of animal preparation for advanced imaging exams i.e., NPO, permission to shave, sedation if required, etc…
  2. Read lab reports, x-ray results, history, and consult with veterinarian prior to imaging exam./li>
  3. Establish or use current clinic protocol for reading and storage of images.
  4. Maintain cleanliness of imaging equipment and any routine maintenance.

Communication

  1. Develop effective communication skills with veterinarians who order imaging exams.

Examination Room Procedures

  1. Determine and know temperature, pulse, and respiration for animal being imaged.
  2. Restrain animals for imaging.

Imaging Techniques

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Schedule

Week 1

  1. Identify and know proper use of probes.
  2. Sterilize and clean equipment using appropriate methods./li>
  3. Set up equipment for an exam.
  4. Prepare animal for imaging exams.
  5. Position patients.
  6. Knobology.
  7. Learn and practice technique for Basic abdominal ultrasound study.
  8. Identify anatomy of "Big 5" organs in the abdomen.
  9. Review normal cardiac physiology and anatomy.
  10. Learn and recognize anatomy from the right and left parasternal two-dimensional echocardiographic views of the heart.
  11. Use proper labeling and measuring techniques.
  12. Demonstrate computer skills needed to have cases evaluated between teaching weeks.

Week 2

  1. Knobology: Demonstrate setup of equipment and how to "tweak" an image.
  2. Know anatomy of all abdominal organs, recognition of normal vs. abnormal in the abdomen and heart./li>
  3. Become familiar with common canine and feline aquired cardiac diseases and their echocardiographic presentations:
    • Canine - DCM, CVD, masses and pericardial effusion
    • Feline - The cardiomyopathies
  4. Learn and practice right and left-sided views of the heart.
  5. Learn M-mode and practice image acquisition and measurement.
  6. Learn and practice protocols for the complete abdominal and 2-D/M-mode cardiac exam.
  7. Create reports for exams.

Week 3

  1. Knobology: Demonstrate how to "tweak" an image.
  2. Identify normal vs. abnormal ultrasonographic appearance of abdominal organs and the heart.
  3. Recognize normal color flow Doppler through the cardiac chambers, valves, and vessels, as well as normal spectral flow Doppler patterns.
  4. Describe the imaging planes appropriate for recording specific flow
  5. Practice acquiring Doppler views.
  6. Practice abdominal and cardiac (2-D, M-mode and Doppler) protocols for complete exams.
  7. Estimate pressure gradients within the heart using Doppler
    • e.g. Determine severity of pulmonary hypertension.
  8. Develop sub-exams for particular cases based on echocardiographic indication and/or abnormality, as well as abdominal indications and/or abnormality.

Week 4

  1. Setup of DR equipment for an exam.
  2. Imaging techniques and basic interpretation of thorax and abdomen.
  3. Understand PACS, DICOM, and networking.
  4. Introduction to Nuclear Medicine.
  5. Introduction to Computed Tomography.
  6. Introduction to Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
  7. Lab test.

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Logistics (hotel and seminar location)

Hotel:

A block of 25 rooms is reserved at Studio Plus, 2420 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX 76006. This is an extended stay hotel with a full kitchen and laundry facilities. Room rate will be $59.99 for a single, $69.99 for a double, plus 15% tax each night.

Call 817-649-0021 to register. Say this is for the Sound Technologies block. There will be a shuttle to the facility, but not from the airport. Take a cab or super shuttle to the hotel from the airport. The rate is around $23 for either. Shuttle phone # is 817-329-2000 or they can get on one just outside of baggage claim at the airport. Multiple restaurants in walking distance.

Seminar Location:

Sound Technologies Academy of Veterinary Imaging
2409 Avenue J, Suite C
Arlington, TX 76006

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*CE credit hours are subject to regulatory review by state and may change without notice. Course meets the requirements for noted number of hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB’s RACE approval; however, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education.