Cardiovascular Credentialing International

Credentialing Cardiovascular Professionals

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Examination Overview

Courtesy Morrison Vein Institute and Compudiagnostics

RPhS Registered Phlebology Sonographer

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Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS)

Qualification Prerequisite

RPhS1Hold an active RVS or RVT credential plus six (6) months (full-time or full-time equivalent) of diagnostic ultrasound employment experience in venous disease at the time of application. AND 36 CEUs in last four (4) years (from date of application) documented in venous disease, ultrasound diagnosis, or vascular anatomy.

RPhS2An associate degree or equivalent college hours (62 semester hours) in health, science, natural science, nursing, engineering, or any primary science and one (1) year (full-time or full-time equivalent) diagnostic ultrasound employment experience in venous disease. AND 36 CEUs in last four (4) years (from date of application) documented in venous disease, ultrasound diagnosis, or vascular anatomy

RPhS3A baccalaureate degree in health, science, natural science, nursing, engineering, or any primary science and six (6) months (full-time or full-time equivalent) of diagnostic ultrasound employment experience in venous disease at the time of application. AND 36 CEUs in last four (4) years (from date of application) documented in venous disease, ultrasound diagnosis, or vascular anatomy

RPhS4Two years (full-time or full-time equivalent) employment experience in diagnostic ultrasound in venous disease at the time of application. AND 36 CEUs in last four (4) years (from date of application) documented in venous disease, ultrasound diagnosis, or vascular anatomy

Supporting Documentation

RPhS1Employment Verification Letter (from a supervising physician or credentialed lab director) AND Verification of status as “ACTIVE” from appropriate credentialing agency (example-copy of registrant card) AND CME Documentation

RPhS2Completion certificate and/or educational transcripts AND Employment Verification Letter AND CME Documentation

RPhS3Completion certificate and/or educational transcripts AND Employment Verification Letter AND CME Documentation

RPhS4Employment Verification Letter AND CME Documentation

This Examination Overview booklet is meant to assist you as a prospective candidate of the Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS) credentialing program. It provides an overview of the Qualification Requirements and Examination Content. For more details on CCI policies, the testing process, and procedures to submit an application, visit www.cci-online.org to download the Examination Application & Overview Booklet which contains the application. Examination fee is $350* USD and all exam fees include a $100 USD non-refundable filing fee. All applicants must meet the following criteria: 1) Have a high school diploma or general education diploma at the time of application; 2) Fulfill one (1) of the qualifications of the exam for which you are applying. See qualifications listed in the tables below; 3) Provide typed documentation to support the qualification under which you are applying. Required documentation for each qualification is listed below. CCI reserves the right to request additional information.

Qualification Requirements – Physician ApplicantsQualification Prerequisite

RPhS5Valid license to practice medicine at the time of application AND Hold certification through the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine or hold an active RVS, RVT, or RPVI credential AND Diagnostic ultrasound experience in venous disease indicated by performing or directly supervising a minimum of 150 venous studies within the two years prior to the application.

RPhS6Valid license to practice medicine at the time of application AND Diagnostic ultrasound experience in venous disease indicated by performing or directly supervising a minimum of 200 venous studies within the two years prior to the application.

RPhS7Valid license to practice medicine at the time of application AND Completion of a residency or fellowship that includes specialized clinical training in phlebology ultrasound performance and interpretation. Performance or direct supervision of a minimum of 200 venous ultrasound studies during the training program.

Supporting Documentation

RPhS5Copy of Medical License AND Verification of status as “ACTIVE” from appropriate credentialing agency (example-copy of registrant card) AND Notarized letter from a supervising physician, credentialed lab director, or office manager that verifies the number of venous studies performed or directly supervised and the period of time during which the studies were performed. (Physicians in solo practices may sign off on their own letters.)

RPhS6Copy of Medical License AND Notarized letter from a supervising physician, credentialed lab director, or office manager that verifies the number of venous studies performed or directly supervised and the period of time during which the studies were performed. (Physicians in solo practices may sign off on their own letters.)

RPhS7Copy of Medical License AND Completion certificate and/or educational transcripts AND Notarized letter from program director/supervisor that verifies the program’s length, the number of studies, and the period during which the studies were performed.

Qualification Requirements – Non Physician Applicants

*Price valid for applications received prior to December 31, 2017. Applications on or after January 1, 2018 will be $365 USD per exam.

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Regulatory and Compliance Standards (e.g. OSHA, HIPAA, informed consent, medical records)

Medical ethicsMedical terminologyGeneral anatomyCardiovascular anatomy and physiology (normal

and abnormal)Venous anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiologyVascular hemodynamicsVenous disease process and progression Diagnosis and treatment of lymphatic diseaseBasic math and statistical skills (formulas,

exponents, decimals, scientific notation)Basic pharmacology

History and physical • Vascular signs and symptoms

• Risk factors (family history, genetics)• CEAP classification• Pre- and post-treatment

Basic Life Support (BLS)Safety practices for patients and staff

• Universal precautions/infection control• Sterile procedure• Ergonomics

Ultrasound physics• Ultrasound instrumentation• Ultrasound modalities

(e.g., spectral Doppler, color Doppler, B-mode)

Vascular anomalies and normal variancesNonsurgical interventions (e.g., medications, risk

factor modification)• Sclerotherapy (visual and ultrasound-

guided)• Compression therapy• Physical therapy

Open-surgical venous proceduresMinimally-invasive venous procedures

• Thermal ablation• Phlebectomy

Other testing modalities (e.g., CT, MR, plethysmography)

Exam correlation with other imaging modalitiesComplications of venous treatment

Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS)

Knowledge ListThe list below describes general areas of knowledge needed in order to perform the tasks identified. This knowledge will apply across multiple tasks.

Task ListThe task list below describes the activities which a Registered Phlebology Sonographer is expected perform on the job. All examination questions are linked to these tasks.

Examination MatrixThis examination matrix is provided to illustrate the general distribution of questions and the relative weight or emphasis given to a skill or content area on the examination.

Content Category Approximate Percentage of Examination

A. Maintain Information, Facility, and Safety 6%

B. Patient Diagnosis 22%

C. Performance of Diagnostic Testing 35%

D. Conservative Treatment / Therapy of Patients 9%

E. Minimally Invasive and Invasive Treatment of Patients 27%

Total 100%

Duties and Tasks % of Exam

A Maintain Information, Facility, and Safety 6%1 Utilize Universal Precautions 2 Triage Patient Status 3 Inspect Electromechanical Equipment and

Perform Preventive Maintenance 4 Optimize Workspace 5 Facilitate Continuous Quality Improvement 6 Secure and Archive Patient Information

B Patient Diagnosis 22%1 Obtain Patient Demographic Information 2 Obtain Patient History 3 Perform Physical Exam 4 Establish Differential Diagnoses 5 Formulate and/or Assist in Formulating a Diagnostic Plan 6 Analyze Patient Data 7 Formulate and/or Assist in Formulating a Treatment Plan 8 Evaluate Post-Treatment Status

C Performance of Diagnostic Testing 35%1 Confirm Indications for Study 2 Position Patient 3 Select Appropriate Equipment and Optimize Settings 4 Select Appropriate Transducer and Optimize Frequency

Duties and Tasks % of Exam

5 Perform Study Protocol 6 Document Exam Findings 7 Store Test Images 8 Communicate Unusual or Abnormal Findings 9 Provide Patient Discharge Instructions

D Conservative Treatment/Therapy of Patients 9%1 Assist in or Provide Conservative Treatment(s) 2 Assist in or Provide Compression Therapy 3 Recognize Lymphedema and Facilitate its Treatment 4 Advise Patients on Physical Therapy Options

E Minimally Invasive and Invasive Treatment of Patients 27%1 Confirm Signed Informed Consent 2 Assist in or Perform Visual Sclerotherapy 3 Assist in or Perform Ultrasound Guided Procedures 4 Assist in or Perform Minimally Invasive Treatment

(e.g., phlebectomy, ablation, ligation) 5 Perform Pre and Post Operative Evaluation of Open Surgical Procedure

(e.g., venous bypass graft, endophlebectomy) 6 Consider the Use of Patient and/or Physician Reported

Outcomes Measures

Total 100%

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Sample Questions1. Pulsatility on pulse doppler is consistent with

a. AV fistula

b. Iliac occlusion

c. Patent foramen ovale

d. Great saphenous vein aneurysm

2. Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy

a. Is less effective than liquid sclerotherapy

b. Is commonly used for telangiectasia and reticular veins less than 2mm in diameter

c. Is frequently associated with neurologic side effects

d. Is effective in the treatment of incompletely ablated saphenous veins

3. Spectral Doppler reveals phasic venous flow in the right common femoral vein and aphasic flow in the left common femoral vein. What is the MOST LIKELY pathologic finding?

a. Left iliac vein stenosis

b. Right iliac vein stenosis

c. Left femoral vein stenosis

d. Right femoral vein stenosis

4. When performing a venous Duplex Ultrasound exam, the sensitivity and specificity in detecting reflux are increased when the patient is in what position?

a. Supine

b. Standing

c. Decubitus

d. Trendelenburg

5. 2D/Greyscale imaging is used during a venous duplex ultrasound to_____________.

a. Check for reflux

b. Visualize vessels and possible echogenic material within the vessels

c. Check for vein patency

d. Detect decreased or absent flow

Answers: 1. a 2. d 3. a 4. b 5. b

Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS)RPhS ReferencesThe references listed below are intended as recommended resources when preparing for examination. You may have previous or later editions of these or other references available that also present acceptable coverage of the subject matter. Any general text in cardiovascular techniques and evaluation, and cardiac patient care and management may be used. It is not necessary to use all of the texts identified. They are provided as suggestions only. CCI does not endorse or recommend any third-party review course or material.

1. Bergan, John J., and Cynthia K. Shortell. Venous ulcers. Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press, 2007.

2. Caggiati, A, Bergan, J., Gloviczki, P, et al. Nomenclature of the veins of the lower limb: Extensions, refinements, and clinical application, J of Vasc Surg 2005; 41: 719-24

3. Caggiati, A, Bergan, J., Gloviczki, P, et al. Nomenclature of the veins of the lower limb: An international interdisciplinary consensus statement, J of Vasc Surg 2002; 36: 416-22

4. Fronek, Helane. American College of Phlebology: Fundamentals of Phlebology Venous Disease for Clinicians Venous Disease for Clinicians, 2nd ed. London: Royal Society of Medicine Press, 2007.

5. Goldman, Mitchel P., John Bergan, and Jean-Jerome Guex. Sclerotherapy treatment of varicose and telangiectatic leg veins, 5th ed. Edinburgh: Mosby, 2011.

6. Netter, Frank H., and Carlos A. G. Machado. Netter’s atlas of the human body, 4th ed. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barron’s, 2006.

7. Ridgway, Donald P. Introduction to vascular scanning: a guide for the complete beginner, 3rd ed. Pasadena, Calif.: Davies, 2004.

8. Shadeck, Michael. Duplex and Phlebology. Idelson-Gnocchi Publishers, 1994.

9. Size, Gail P, Lozanski, Laurie, Russo, Troy. Inside Ultrasound’s Vascular Reference Guide, 1st ed. Inside Ultrasound, Inc., 2013.

10. Weiss, Robert A., Craig Feied, and Margaret A. Weiss. Vein diagnosis and treatment: a comprehensive approach. New York: McGraw-Hill, Health Professions Division, 2001.

11. Zwiebel, William J., and John S. Pellerito. Introduction to vascular ultrasonography, 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders, 2005.

12. Joseph Zygmunt; Olivier Pichot; Tracie Dauplaise. Practical Phlebology: Venous Ultrasound, 1st ed. CRC Press, 2013.

An online self assesment examination is available for purchase for self-evaluation purposes.

For more information, visit www.cci-online.org.

Publication Date: July 2017. This document supersedes all documentation previously released.