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ARRT Seeks Comments on Proposed Changes to Vascular Sonography (VS) Documents

Published on Mar 11, 2022

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is looking for help from working professionals in Vascular Sonography. We encourage you to review the proposed changes to the Vascular Sonography Examination Content Specifications and Clinical Requirements.

Our goal is to produce comprehensive, accurate, and fair documents that cover the knowledge and cognitive skills required of vascular sonographers. ARRT’s examinations are job-related. That is, we only include topics if knowledge of those topics relates directly to a clinical activity typically required in one’s job. A survey of possible tasks and procedures was sent to over 1,000 current vascular sonographers to determine these topics. Results from these surveys were used to update the content specifications and clinical requirements.

The ARRT Vascular Sonography Practice Analysis Committee (composed of subject matter experts from throughout the United States) began working on these documents in January 2021 and will complete work on them this spring. After that, ARRT’s Board of Trustees will review the proposed changes. The new vascular sonography documents have a scheduled implementation date of January 1, 2024.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE EXAMINATION CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS

Patient Care Section

  • Additional content was added to the sonographer ergonomics area. 
  • A section on handling and disposal of toxic and hazardous material was added.

Image Production Section

  • Treadmill was removed from the ABI/pulse volume recording equipment section.
  • Annotation and real time imaging were added to the criteria for diagnostic quality section.

Procedures Section

  • The following procedure was added: radial artery mapping. 
  • The following procedures were removed: arterial external iliac, venous pelvic varices, venous external iliac, palmar arch, upper extremity arterial digital, post-exercise testing, photoplethysmography, toe-brachial index (TBI), line position, and vein ablations.

The total number of scored questions remains the same at 175, but the number of questions in the Image Production and the Procedures sections changed.

SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CLINICAL COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

  • Ergonomic evaluation was added to the Mandatory Scanning Techniques.
  • Radial artery mapping was added as an elective study.
  • The following studies were removed: arterial external iliac, venous external iliac, palmar arch, toe-brachial index (TBI), post-exercise testing, photoplethysmography (PPG), post endarterectomy, and vein ablations.
  • Candidates must demonstrate competence in the nine mandatory studies listed on the following table. Candidates must also demonstrate competence for nine of the 17 elective studies. Up to three studies that are eligible for simulation may be performed on volunteers.
  • Appendix 1 lists the required and optional vessels to be demonstrated with each study.
  • Additionally, wording was updated for clarification and consistency.

SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • The procedures were reorganized into mandatory and optional studies. Appendix 1 lists the required and optional vessels to be demonstrated with each study.
  • Eight mandatory studies must be demonstrated with a total of 195 repetitions. The table lists the number of repetitions required for each study. At least 75% of the repetitions must be performed on patients.
  • A total of 100 elective studies must be demonstrated. The maximum number of repetitions for each study is listed on the table. At least 75% of the repetitions of each elective study must be performed on a patient.
  • The following studies were removed: toe-brachial index (TBI), post-exercise testing, photoplethysmography (PPG), and vein ablations.

REVIEW THE DOCUMENTS AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK

We invite you to review the documents below and provide feedback through an online survey (live until April 15, 2022). The survey is the official method by which we track feedback. The Vascular Sonography Practice Analysis Committee will review all comments and may make additional changes based on your feedback.

Note: Additions are in blue, and deletions are in strikethrough red in the drafts.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about how the proposed changes may affect your eligibility for certification and registration in Vascular Sonography, call 651.687.0048. Select the option for earning an ARRT credential.

Thank you for your contribution to this important project!