C4-ECHC, April 2, 2024 Page 1 of 5
Please contact the following numbers for counselor’s office hours: (915) 831-4636, (915) 831-4036, (915) 831-4155.
HEALTH CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, MATH & SCIENCE
Specialized Admissions Program Information Guide
For
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (ADULT)
ADVANCED TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION (C4-ECHC)
2024-2025 Catalog
Program Coordinator: James Williams, B.A.S., RDCS, RVT. Phone #: 915-831-4255
Office Location: RG Campus, RM J-659 E-mail: jwill248@epcc.edu
Dean: Souraya A. Hajjar, Ed.D., CHES, CHCO, MPH. Phone #: 915-831-4030
ECHO Program Medical Advisor: Lookman Lawal, M.D.
C4-ECHC - Program Counselors:
Office Location: RG Counseling Dept., 103 Montana Av., 3
rd.
floor
Program Map provides additional information regarding salary projections, employment opportunities, licensure requirements and
Educational milestones. Link: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Catalog/program-map?programID=941
Applicants for Specialized Admissions must satisfy minimum criteria in order to be eligible for ranking. The following is
required of all applicants:
Prior to ranking, the student must submit all previous college/university official transcripts (transliteration of all foreign coursework required).
PDF with a password protection.
Student must have a High School Diploma or GED. Submit official transcripts to:
El Paso Community College Admissions Office
P.O. Box 20500, El Paso, Texas 79998
Student must:
1. Be approved to take credit academic courses by EPCC
2. Have successfully completed TSIA2 Assessment Tests.
3. Complete an online Health Careers Orientation at: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/health-careers-orientation
4. Submit Specialized Admissions Application form, pay $ 10.00 fee at any EPCC Cashiers’ office, send receipt via email to
or hand carry to: VV Campus, 919 Hunter, Enrollment Services Center; Admissions and Registration Office.
5. A grade of a “C” or better is required for all academic and specialized courses listed under the degree plan.
EPCC Cumulative GPA of 2.8 is required.
“Effective Fall 2011, and based on new federal regulations, students are not allowed to repeat previously passed courses more than
once.” Students should meet with a counselor to determine how a repeat course (s) would impact his/her academic, prerequisite, specialized
admissions or transferability of courses. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the Office of Student Financial Services to inquire how
a repeat course (s) would impact their financial aid or veteran’s assistance.
PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
Students qualifying for Specialized Admissions must satisfy all of the following: General Requirements, minimum set TSIA2 scores,
Mandatory courses, and Pre-Program Specifics. Once all requirements are completed, ranking points are derived from the highest
TSIA2 scores and most recent G.P.A of ranking courses. Applicants who complete all ranking courses may be more competitive for
admission into their program of choice.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAM MAP
C4-ECHC, April 2, 2024 Page 2 of 5
Test Area Test Code TSIA2 SCORES
Math
PTMT
950
Reading & Writing
PTER
950
Essay
PTWE
6
TSIA2 Official Assessment scores are valid for two (2) years with the highest test score used for qualifying and ranking.
Posting of TSIA2 Assessment scores will take between 24 to 48 hours. Assessment Tests have to be completed at least 48 hours prior
to ranking date. Consult an ECHO Health Counselor for advice.
▲No mandatory courses are required.
▲No ranking courses are required.
Applicant must have an AAS degree from accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography program and credentials by the American Registry
of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
It is highly recommended that the applicant completes the Pre-Program Specific Requirements at least three (3) weeks prior to the ranking
date. The applicant must complete “Specialized Admissions” requirements for qualifying and ranking. There is a scheduled ranking date for this
program. Normal processing may take a few days or a few weeks depending on document type and individual circumstances. If documents have
been received but not processed then the student will be coded as ineligible for that ranking.
Applicants for Specialized Programs must also meet Pre-program Specific Criteria prior to qualifying for ranking. The
following is required of all applicants:
Background Check- (fee is required) Each student must complete a background check prior to enrolling in clinical courses. Background checks
are required prior to acceptance into most health programs or courses. Students are responsible for the costs. Currently, the approved vendor for
El Paso Community College is American Databank:
http://www.elpasoex.com/. Only background checks from American Databank are accepted.
You will receive a letter from the Dean of Health Career and Technical Education, Math & Science division to inform you of the status of
your background check. The student will not be able to go to the clinical areas/health care facilities until cleared.
***NOTE: If a student has not enrolled in a health-related program for one or more semesters, the student must redo the background check at
his/her own expense, for further information, please ask a Health Counselor or call the Program Coordinator.
There are two Levels of background checks: Level I applies to all students, and includes: (1) Social Security Number Verification. (2) Criminal
Search 7 years minimum or up to five criminal searches. (3) Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search. (4) Office of the Inspector
General (OIG) list of Excluded Individuals/Entities. (5) GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs. (6) U.S. Treasury, Office of Foreign
Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), and (7) State Exclusion List.
Level II is for students already licensed or certified in any area. Level II requires all of the Level 1 elements plus (1) License Verification, (2)
Certification Verification, and (3) Employment Verification, including reason for separation and eligibility for re-hire.
A positive criminal history will require proof of the official case disposition for clearance. Generally: Disqualifying criminal offenses include, but are
not limited to any felony conviction within the last 10 years, or two or more misdemeanors in crimes against persons, or families, such as
homicide, kidnapping, rape, sexual assault, assault, battery, aggravated robbery, theft. Any misdemeanor or felony conviction involving abuse,
neglect, or exploitation against a child, vulnerable adult or disabled individual. Felonies or two misdemeanors involving manufacture, importation,
delivery, or possession of controlled substances, including felony conviction of DWI or two misdemeanor DWI convictions. Deferred adjudication
for any felony is also a disqualifying event for enrolling into any of the Health Programs.
Please note that many professional licensure or certification agencies may have additional requirements. You should reference the requirements
for each agency.
TSIA2 MINIMUM REQUIRED ASSESSMENT SCORES FOR C-4 ECHC
C4- ECHC (ADULT) MANDATORY COURSES:
C4-ECHC (ADULT) RANKING COURSES:
PROCESSING OF PRE-PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
PRE-PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
C4-ECHC (ADULT) CERTIFICATE PRE-REQUISITE
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Check 2024-2025 El Paso Community College Catalog for Prerequisites
First Semester (Summer)
DSAE 1203 Introduction to Echocardiography Techniques
HPRS 1206 Essentials of Medical Terminology
Second Semester
DSAE 1264 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician I Prerequisite: DSAE 1203.
DSAE 1315 Principles of Adult Echocardiography
Prerequisite: DSAE 1203
DSAE 1340 Diagnostic Electrocardiography Prerequisite: DSAE 1203.
Third Semester
DMSO 1302 Basic Ultrasound Physics
DSAE 1265 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician II Prerequisite: DSAE 1264.
DSAE 2303 Cardiovascular Concepts
Prerequisite: DSAE 1315.
Fourth Semester (Summer)
DMSO 1242 Intermediate Ultrasound Physics Prerequisite: DMSO 1302
DSAE 1266 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician III
Prerequisite: DSAE 1265
DSVT 1200 Principles of Vascular Technology
Prerequisites: DMSO 1302 and DMSO 1441 or DSAE 2303.
Fifth Semester
DMSO 2351 Doppler Physics Prerequisite: DMSO 1242.
DSAE 1267 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician IV
Prerequisite: DSAE 1266.
DSAE 2304 Echocardiographic Evaluation of Pathology I
Prerequisite: DSAE 2303.
Sixth Semester
DSAE 1367 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician V Prerequisite: DSAE 1267.
DSAE 2337 Echocardiographic Evaluation of Pathology II
Prerequisite: DSAE 2304.
Official Ranking Date: March 3, 2025 to start program Summer of 2025
Program Begins: Summer.
Maximum Students Admitted: 7 Students.
Community Wide Orientation online at: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/community-wide-orientation
HIPAA online at: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/hipaa
Health Careers Orientation online at: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/health-careers-orientation
Online additional program-specific and career information: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health
Students who completed articulated or dual credit courses in health in high school should bring this to the attention of the counselor. College
credit may still be available.
ECHO website: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/echocardiography
Students are responsible for the following requirements AFTER accepting
a seat in the Program:
Must file a degree plan with the designated Health Counselor.
Current CPR Certification at a Professional Level. Must be from American Heart Association (AHA) CPR/BLS (only Health Provider training
POST-ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS
C4-ECHC CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION COURSES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The AAS in Echocardiography (Adult) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP),
9355-113th St. N, #7709, Seminole, FL 33775-7709; Phone: 727-210-2350; Website: www.caahep.org
Upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology, (JRC-CVT))
1449 Hill Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588-1032; Phone: 978-456-5594; Website: http://www.jrccvt.org.
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accepted). Military Training Network (AHA recognized) cards will be accepted. Hybrid AHA courses with live skills demonstration will be
accepted. This must remain current throughout the course of the program (Certification may not be older than two (2) years).
Community Wide Orientation (Must be renewed every year):
Website: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/Orientation/community-wide-orientation
Health Care Insurance (Evidence). Mandatory Healthcare insurance is required for students doing clinicals at healthcare facilities.
HIPAA Training (Must be renewed every year). Website: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/hipaa
Immunizations and Titers – The following must be completed.
• POSITIVE TITER required for Hepatitis B vaccination series of three and Titer (can take 4-6 months to complete). If a student has started
the Hepatitis B series by ranking deadline, he/she may be clear for ranking or registration with the understanding that the series have to be
complete in a timely manner prior to starting clinical courses. Documentation of starting the series must be on file.
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening required annually. **NOTE: It is highly recommended to complete all TB skin testing prior to receiving
the MMR and/or Varicella vaccines. MMR or Varicella vaccines could cause a false negative TB skin test result.
1. Individuals who previously tested negative, or have never tested, or are not sure if previously tested.
a. Initial 2 Step TB Skin Test-Effective January 1, 2018 for all students/faculty new to health programs:
I. Initial TB skin test (TST) administered and read 48-72 hours later.
II. If initial TB skin test is negative, a second TST must be administered no sooner than 7 days and no later than 21 days after
administration of the initial TST.
III. If initial TB skin test is positive, DO NOT ADMINISTER a second TST Individual needs Chest X-ray and annual TB
Assessment/Clearance (or equivalent document) from Health Care Provider.
2. TB Skin Test Positive (previously). Requires completed Annual TB Assessment/Clearance form.
• POSITIVE TITER required for each two doses - Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccinations (MMR) (completed) and Titer.
• POSITIVE TITER required for each two doses - Varicella Vaccination and Titer (completed).
• Tetanus/Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDAP) (completed) (expires after 10 years).
• Influenza is required (or completed declination form) (NOTE: If declined, will have to wear a mask in clinical) (done annually).
• Meningitis or Booster – (Effective January 1, 2012, a Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination is required for all entering students under the age of 22).
The term “entering students” includes new students to EPCC, transfer students, and returning students. Students must provide proof of an initial
meningitis immunization or booster to the Admissions and Registration Department at any campus. The meningitis immunization must be
administered at least 10 days before the start of the semester and must have been taken within the last five years).
(NOTE: If you have had the vaccination at an earlier date, you may start with a Titer, as the result will indicate if you need the vaccine.
If you have not had the vaccination and after vaccination is applied, you must wait 4-6 weeks for immunity to show up on the TITER.)
COVID-19 may be requested
Visit Admission and Registration EPCC web page for additional information. Website: https://www.epcc.edu/Admissions/immunization-law
A tracking system, COMPLIO, will assist students and coordinators alike to be compliant with immunizations, CPR, First Aid, physical, etc.
All health programs' students need to participate in this system, part of the American Databank, to keep their clinical data compliant and updated.
(Price and web registration will be provided). If you have any questions contact James Williams, Program Coordinator at:
jwill248@epcc.edu
COMPLIO Link: https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/Health/Documents/Background_Check_Substance_Abuse_Testing.pdf
Follow below example when inputting your Program required documents; students can find this information under the "Requirement
Explanation" button.
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Professional Practice Insurance (Liability Insurance) is required for all clinical and selected laboratory courses. This fee is paid during the time
of enrollment. Instructor may ask for proof of payment (your registration receipt) on the first day of class.
Physical Exam (current) completed by a Physician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant licensed in the United States (Not older than one
(1) year). Website: FFAA-1.pdf (epcc.edu)
Physical Technical Standards form (completed):
https://www.epcc.edu/Administration/InstitutionalEffectiveness/PoliciesandProcedures/FB-8.pdf
Program Orientation. “Admitted students will receive notification of Program Orientation following verified acceptance into the program.”
Substance Abuse Screening will be required for each student enrolling in health career programs with clinical components. For further
information, please ask a Health Counselor or call the program coordinator. ***NOTE: Students must re-take and pay for substance abuse test if
test was taken three months prior to the first clinical education course. Website: http://www.elpasoex.com/
Uniforms: In accordance with course syllabi; students must purchase their own uniforms. The program coordinator will provide students with
detailed information.
Transportation: Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus clinical/learning sites.
Textbooks and other course materials must be purchased at student’s expense in accordance with course syllabi.
CPR and First Aid Courses are available through the EPCC Continuing Education Division. Please see the current Continuing Education Course
Schedule or call 915-831-7820 for more information.
Our EPCC Rio Grande Border Health Clinic is located at the Rio Grande Campus, for information call: 915- 831-4016 or call 915-831-4017 for
Dental, Medical Sonography, Echocardiogram or Physical Therapy clinics.
The El Paso County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or
gender identity.
OTHER INFORMATION
This document is to be used with EPCC College Catalog, which provides complete information on courses as well as College
regulations and procedures. This is for informational purposes only and is not a binding offer or contract between the College and the
student. This document was revised September 2023 and is subject to change without prior notice.
