Non-DVM Certification Program Overview

General description of the Non-DVM Certification Programs in Echocardiography and Abdominal Ultrasound

The IVUSS certification program for non-DVMs in both veterinary echocardiography and abdominal ultrasound will be highly challenging and rewarding. There are two distinct certification programs for non-DVMs with one in veterinary echocardiography and one in veterinary abdominal ultrasound. This differs from the IVUSS DVM certification process that involves both echocardiography and abdominal ultrasound combined. A non-DVM candidate can pursue both programs in veterinary echocardiography and veterinary abdominal ultrasound. Successful completion of each program will earn the candidate the following distinctions:

• VCS (Cardiac) IVUSS:  Veterinary Certified Sonographer (Cardiac) International Veterinary Ultrasound Society
• VCS (Abdominal ultrasound) IVUSS:  Veterinary Certified Sonographer (Abdominal ultrasound) International Veterinary Ultrasound Society

The programs ​are​ ​designed​ ​for certified/licensed veterinary technicians/nurses (and equivalent for international candidates) and for non-veterinary candidates who hold a RDMS or equivalent certification. Qualified candidates ​who​ ​have​ ​developed​ ​an​ ​appropriate​ ​level​ ​of proficiency​ ​in​ veterinary echocardiography​ ​or veterinary ultrasound​ and would like to ​further​ ​their ​skills​ ​of​ ​image acquisition are encouraged to pursue certification. The programs are intended for those individuals who utilize veterinary echocardiography or veterinary abdominal ultrasound to obtain quality, diagnostic images for interpretation by veterinary specialists in radiology, cardiology, internal medicine or certified IVUSS veterinarians.

Each candidate will be required to have a mentor to help guide them through the process, including answering questions regarding each case to be submitted, and to make certain each candidate maintains an appropriate pace for completion. Mentors can be chosen by the candidate and will need to be approved by the Certification Committee. Mentors are expected to be actively involved with the candidate during the certification program, though they are not required to be a specialist or an IVUSS Certificate holder. An IVUSS Certificate holder can serve as a mentor if a candidate is unable to acquire an individual to serve as a mentor.

Three training tools will be used in each of the programs:  1) required coursework in ultrasound physics, and basic and advanced veterinary echocardiography or abdominal ultrasound, 2) the detailed presentation of written cases with full sets of images (called a “Case Book”) and 3) testing (written and practical). 

The Case Books of each program will involve submission of eight clinical cases. Details of the case selection are described in each program’s information. The cases will be reviewed by the Certification Committee, who may then require the applicant to complete additional training before further work in the program is permitted, may require adjustments to technique or thoroughness, or may permit the applicant to advance to the next case selection. 

The eight cases are broken down into categories required for each program with the focus of acquisition of complete echocardiogram or complete abdominal ultrasound images based on IVUSS standards. The abdominal ultrasound program will involve basic abdominal scans (4 case reports) and advanced abdominal scans (4 case reports). The echocardiography program will involve cases with cardiac pathology (8 cases reports). Details on case selection will be described in the Case Book section of each program. The case reports are written in a standard format of case history, imaging protocol, and complete, detailed descriptions of pathologic findings. The candidates will not be required to provide medical or surgical recommendations. The emphasis will be the detailed sonographic description of normal and abnormal findings. Cases that do not have the entire IVUSS standard images for an abdominal ultrasound or echocardiogram will not be accepted. The case discussions will be required to have at least five references. 

The Certification Committee will evaluate each case report for imaging technique, complete sonographic description of normal and abnormal findings. Once the case report receives approval from the committee it will be accepted. Three of the eight cases it will be reviewed by a board-certified radiologist or cardiologist for final comments and approval.

After the Case Book requirements are complete, the participant will be invited to take an online written final exam which involves ultrasound theory and practical case material. Once passed, a timed practical exam demonstrating the applicant’s ability to do an abdominal or cardiac ultrasound exam will be scheduled remotely, or if available, for the next annual IVUSS conference. 

The applicant has up to three years to complete the program, though each program could be completed in 2 years. Allowances are made based on the timing of when the written exam is passed and the availability of the practical examination.

Other than mentor advice, no outside consultation or advice is allowed in this program, including help from forums such as Sonopath, Veterinary Information Network, or the like, except through the Certification Committee. Any evidence of outside consultation or advice on cases or examination material will result in permanent discontinuation from the program.

Cost and timeline
The program must be completed within three years of the start date. Candidates can complete the program within two years, based on experience and completion of requirements. The examination can be taken after three years to complete the program, based on timing of written and practical examination. Program fees are as follows:

• Pay for applying to either program ($50)
• Pay for the normal abdomen or echo ($80)
• Pay for cases 2, 3, and 4 at one time ($80 each--$240 total)
• Pay for cases 5, 6, 7, 8 at one time ($80 each--$320)
• Any extra cases ($80 each)
• Pay for written test ($100)
• Pay for practical test ($150)
• Total for cardio or abdominal individual program of $940
• Payments made online and self-charged.
• Total for both programs $1880