SVT Adopts Standards for Undergraduate Educational Programs in Vascular Technology

To provide vascular technology educators guidance in curriculum planning, the SVT Board of Directors has adopted on December 15, 2000, “Standards For Undergraduate Educational Programs in Vascular Technology.” Building on the recently adopted Scope of Practice for the Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional, the “goal of undergraduate educational programs in vascular technology should be to: offer the requisite knowledge, skill, and experience in vascular technology to prepare students to (1) perform patient assessments, (2) acquire and analyze data obtained using ultrasound and related diagnostic technologies, (3) provide a summary of findings to aid in patient diagnosis and management, and (4) use independent judgment and systematic problem solving methods to produce high quality diagnostic information and optimize patient information. Additionally, undergraduate educational programs should teach students how to communicate with patients and instill in them the respect for the dignity of patients.”

The statement contains guidelines for

• student assessment
• program assessment
• accreditation
• settings for class room instruction and clinical training
• admission policies
• administrative policies for:
  —student guidance & employment counseling
  —student records
• faculty and other personnel
• physical resources and equipment
• learning resources

In a section entitled “Course Plan,” SVT states, “Noninvasive vascular testing requires knowledge, communication skills, and problem-solving capabilities. Therefore, it is vital for an undergraduate educational program in vascular technology to include instruction in each of these areas to produce a competent professional. The course plan should include 12 months didactic and 12 months clinical education with a minimum of 1,680 clinical contact hours.” Also, clinical education “must include instruction and opportunity to gain practical experience in all types of vascular studies and must follow a planned curriculum in order to assure experience in all skills and techniques required.”
The statement recommends that “in order to offer a well-balanced education to students, undergraduate educational programs in vascular technology are encouraged to include instruction in” non vascular technology subjects such as Communications; Computer skills; Math; Science, including physics, human anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, and research methods; Sociology/psychology; Philosophy; and Management.

The statement was drafted by SVT’s Education Committee, chaired by Gail Size, MS RVT, and including:

• Cliff Araki, PhD RVT
• Terry Case, MEd RVT
• George Berdejo, BA RVT
• Donna Blackburn, RN MS RVT FSVU
• Eileen French-Sherry, BA RVT
• Paula Heggerick, RVT RDMS FSVU
• Joe Hughes, RVT RVS
• Janette Issacson, MS RVT
• Marsha Neumyer, BS RVT FSVU
• Terry Needham, BS RVT FSVU
• Kathy Palmieri, RN RVT
• Debbie Pirt, AS RVT