How to Study to Successfully Pass the RVT Exam

Transcription

1 How to Study to Successfully Pass the RVT Exam Janette Wybo, BAS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT Program Coordinator Providence Hospital School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Resources: The Vascular System, Kupinski, Lippincott, 2013 Diagnostic Ultrasound, Hagen-Ansert, Mosby, 2011

2 Objectives Upon completion of this learning activity, it is my hope that the participants will be able to: Determine your learning style Discover formula to succeed in becoming RVT! Discuss the various resources that can be matched with your learning style Learn from examples the detail of information needed to successfully pass the RVT exam.

3 As the presenter I have no affiliation or financial gain with any of the products presented I do not endorse any products My goal is to provide information Participants need to investigate the products and decide for themselves what will help them succeed. I am an ARDMS Item Writer for the VT exam.

4 First Step Get Informed ARDMS - RVT (Registered Vascular Technologist) must be graduate of an accredited vascular sonography program OR work full time for 12 month completing vascular exams (not volunteering). Must submit a clinical verification form signed by (physician or RVT). Recommended to complete 800 vascular exams (ardms.org) CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International to become a RVS (Registered Vascular Specialist) (cci-online.org)

5 Qualifications (RVS) Two years of full-time or full-time equivalent work experience in vascular ultrasound. The applicant must have performed a minimum of 600 vascular ultrasound studies at the time of application. It is recommended, but not required, that the applicant have experience in the following areas: Carotid duplex ultrasound, Peripheral arterial duplex, Transcranial Doppler, Venous duplex ultrasound, Peripheral arterial physiologic, Visceral vascular duplex ultrasound.

6 CCI Qualifications for Accredited General Sonography Program A graduate of diploma, associate, or baccalaureate academic program in health science (including, but not limited to, cardiovascular technology, ultrasound, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, or nursing) AND ONE year full-time work experience in vascular ultrasound AND performance of a minimum of 600 vascular ultrasound studies in their career, which is defined as work experience and/or clinical experience gained during a formal educational program. In the employment verification letter, supervisor or DR. must confirm number of studies performed during applicant s employment.

7 Qualifications for Vascular Accredited Program Qualification Requirements Completion certificate and/or educational transcripts Student verification letter from program educational Director cci-online.org

8 ARDMS - Do you need to take the SPI exam? If you took your ARDMS physics exam before fall of 2009 YES you need to take SPI exam Must pass SPI examination and VT exam within 5 years to become a RVT. I recommend taking the SPI exam first. There will be physics on your VT exam Higher pass rate than VT SPI 81% for 1 st time takers (overall 72%) VT 65% for 1 st time takers (overall 59%) There is HOPE!

9 SPI two hour multiple choice questions - cost $200 ARDMS vs. CCI VT three hour ~170 multiple choice questions - cost - $250 Total exam cost $ day wait to re-take exam Yearly renewal $75 Required CMEs 30 credits every 3 years in any category Pass rate RVT59-65% Three hour ~170 multiple choice questions with SPI Exam cost $ day wait to re-take exam $150 renewal fee every 3 years Required CMEs 36 credits every 3years with renewal fee of 30 credits must be cardiovasular Pass rate RVS 53% Decide what s best for you long term

10 My Formula for Success for Physics Exam 1. Become informed on what you need to know 2. Good resources 3. Put in the time (quality studying) 4. Strive for comprehension 5. Use two resources for review questions 6. Take one ARDMS practice exam Remember, you did it once you re even better equipped to do it again. We had 23 sonographers who passed SPI in last 6 months!

11 ARDMS has new type of test questions: SPI /physics exam Advance Item Type (AIT) with semi-interactive control questions that are worth either 2, 1 or 0 points in completing these questions. Designed to assess candidates in actual practice. Great tutorial that every registrant should look at before taking the SPI exam. tions (Handout)

12 Advance Item Type with Semi-Interactive Control Questions Sonographers either love or hate these questions.

13 You passed PHYSICS! Congratulate yourself! Celebrate! BUT, then focus on the next BIG task

14 Use Same Formula for Success 1. Become informed on what you need to know 2. Find good foundation resources 3. Put in time (quality and quantity) 4. Strive for comprehension! 5. Use two resources for review questions Review book + on-line review 6. Take one ARDMS practice exam We had 3 sonographers who passed VT on their first attempt in the last 6 months!

15 ARDMS Content Outline Anatomy & Physiology [20%] Cerebrovascular Venous Peripheral Arterial Abdominal/Visceral Pathology [19%] Cerebrovascular Venous Peripheral arterial Abdominal/Visceral Patient Care [4%] Communication Integration of Data [10%] Cerebrovascular Venous Peripheral Arterial Abdominal/visceral Protocols [33%] Cerebrovascular Venous Peripheral Arterial Abdominal/Visceral Physics & Instrumentation [5%] Artifacts Imaging instruments Quality assurance/ Statistics Treatment [7%] Cerebrovascular Venous Peripheral arterial Abdominal/visceral Other [2%] Traumatic injury Miscellaneous conditions/tests NOTE Percentages are approximate

16 ARDMS Content Outline for Exam Item Writers Vascular Technology (VT) Tasks Anatomy & physiology 20% Cerebrovascular normal anatomy Cerebrovascular normal anatomy Evaluate the cerebrovascular vessels Cerebrovascular hemodynamics Evaluate the cerebrovascular vessels for normal perfusion Venous Venous normal anatomy Evaluate the veins of upper extremities Evaluate the veins of lower extremities Evaluate the central venous system Venous hemodynamics Evaluate the effects of limb augmentation maneuvers on venous flow Evaluate the effects of respiration on venous flow Peripheral arterial Peripheral arterial normal anatomy Evaluate the upper extremity arteries for obstruction Evaluate the lower extremity arteries for obstruction Peripheral arterial hemodynamics Assess pressure changes following exercise Assess segmental pressure gradients Abdominal/visceral Abdominal/visceral normal anatomy Evaluate the abdominal/visceral vessels Abdominal/visceral hemodynamics Evaluate the abdominal/visceral vasculature for perfusion Cont (Handout)

17 Most sonographers do not do all the VT exams Abdominal Visceral including transplants Cerebrovasclar Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Peripheral Arterial (Upper and Lower Extremity Doppler 2D and color duplex Segmental pressures Peripheral Venous (Upper and Lower Extremity Doppler 2D and color duplex Know intra-operative and post surgical complications Draw from your experiences and become informed enough to understand it.

18 ARDMS exam has new HotSpot Questions Hotspot item question types display image and question that require examinee to indicate correct answer by using cursor to mark directly on image. Hotspot questions require a higher level of thinking and processing than when answering a conventional multiple choice question.

19 New ARDMS HotSpot Question Answer see red X mark in image above

20 Deciding What is a Good Resource? Review the source before purchasing or ask for recommendations You can rent many textbooks on amazon.com (Good thought for Physics) Decide on a resource based on what best fits your learning personality Find what best clicks for you!

21 Learning Style Inventory Visual Learners love reading, benefits from charts, tables Auditory Learners love talking aloud, benefits from tapes, auditory reviews Kinesthetic or Tactile Learners love hands-on, benefit from observing exams Take the test and see what you learn about yourself! None are better than others! (Handout)

22 Good Resources I recommend getting a good textbook and READ it (especially if you have not received formal vascular training. Important to have a depth of knowledge Don t attempt cursory knowledge by just looking at review books to try to get by to pass the exam. The exam questions will have two close answers in which one answer is better than the other if you have the knowledge. Can t guess your way through this one

23 Put in Quality and Quantity Time Organize how you are going to study Go through exam outline and write out a plan Make the plan realistic An 8 Week Plan takes 10 Weeks Study 3 nights a week for 2 hours over 4 weeks, then study 4 nights for 2-3 hours for 4 weeks Tell those closest to you and ask for their support Study with a Buddy - don t have whine/wine sessions Many RVTs had little or no resources and passed

24 Let s Talk About ALL the Resources Find What Fits for You.

25 SDMS* Resources One location for variety of resources NCER (National Certification Exam Reviews) $50 - $70 Review book with webinar* SPI (Physics) and VT (Vascular Technology) Outline format with review questions at end of each section Members access to twelve webinars with CME credits SDMS membership $85 year Trusted source*

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27 1, 2, 3 Steps to Success daviespublishing.com around for 30 years Step 1 Education textbook Step 2 Test preparation review book Step 3 Flashcard study system Many also receive CME credits Cost Bundle Price: $ Boast to have a 90% success rate

28 Other Resources Anatomy and Physiology Textbooks Scanning Protocols Reference Guides Scanning Techniques DVDs Venous and abd vascular Benefit go at your own pace Cost Varies ~ $50 - $175 Life is a Test Pass it!

29 Pass or come back for Free! esp-inc.com Weekend reviews Instructor-led lectures that teach and review material and prep for exam Cost $275 - $450 for one - two courses + travel expenses and lodging Benefit network with others, take-home course book is a good resource

30 esp-inc.com Quiz Cards $59 Other Resources X-Zone purchased for specific time frames for practice Q and A s 2 hours $39 5 days $79 15 days $109 Benefit challenging questions (on-line)

31 What if you need hands-on? gcus.com Offers on-site/hands-on and other educational products Cost Varies $1, for upcoming peripheral vasc weekend course

32 Other Resources Scanning Technique DVDs Ultrasound Evaluation for Calf Vein Imaging: 48 minutes Price: $99.00 Vascular Textbook Zweibel and Pellerito Copyright 2005: Cost $119 Ultra P.A.S.S. Flash cards: Price $57 "Preparation Agenda for Study Success"

33 On-Line Study Course (Burwin Institute) burwin.com Web based study with on-line instructor Receive a course book that takes you step by step through the material with mandatory tests ed to an instructor who provides feedback. Benefits more details with ability to ask questions with your on-line instructor. Cost for VT Course $450

34 Local Resources for Success Liz Lawrence, RDMS, RDCS, RVT holds study groups at her house for small groups. Benefit - one on one small study group Cost $300 for 10 week course (3 hours per week) Contact Liz via or phone (Handout)

35 Are You a Lone Wolf? Buy a used review book on Amazon $70 Used SDMS book for $20. Borrow a review book from someone who passed it already. You ve promise not to spill coffee on it! Use free on-line flash cards Cost gift card for the friend from Starbucks after you do spill coffee on their book.

36 Why is it all necessary? Important to gain knowledge to carry onto your career. Benefit your patients. Improve your technical and diagnostic abilities. Understand the WHY of what you do so well. Build your confidence. Current standard of competence! In 2017, Medicare reimbursement will be tied to exam being performed/reviewed by a RVT.

37 Let s look at ways to digest all the information and do some sample questions These questions do not represent exam questions I have submitted as an Item Writer for the ARDMS, but as a sonographer/educator who has practiced vascular sonographer for 30 years.

38 Scanning Technique Common Femoral and Great Saphenous Veins How do you direct the transducer to image the great saphenous vein from the common femoral vein? A. Direct the transducer more medially B. Direct the transducer more laterally

39 Lower Extremity Venous Anatomy

40 Anterior Accessory SV is directly over CFV Alignment sign anterior accessory saphenous vein (AASV) aligned over CFV/CFA, whereas the GSV lies more medially.

41 What best describes the location of the greater saphenous vein as it course superiorly from the ankle? A. Medially B. Laterally C. Posteriorly D. Centrally

42 Dig for Good Resources

43 What is the relationship of the CFA to CFV? Look for relationships to help you understand.

44 What vessel is posterior to the proximal Rt common iliac artery? A. Lt internal iliac artery B. Rt internal iliac artery C. Rt common iliac vein D. Lt common iliac vein

45 Find Clues Basilic vs. Cephalic Vein

46 Note When You Come Across Things That are Unique i.e. Subcalvian Vein Compression is not used Portion obscured by clavicular shadow Limited visualization

47 Paget-Shroetter syndrome Venous thrombosis associated with compression of subclavian vein at thoracic outlet - AKA effort thrombosis Typical patients are young, athletic, and muscular males

48 Stump the Stars Question! What is correct patient positioning for evaluation for Paget-Shroetter Syndrome? A. Upper body elevated 40 degrees B. Upper body lowered 20 degrees C. Patient should lie flat D. Patient upright

49 Seek Out Great Resources

50 Cherish Great Resources

51 Look for Possible Hot Spot Questions! Place an X on inspiration for Doppler of subclavian vein. X X

52 Learn all you can not just to pass the exam, but to benefit your practice and patients. Stay positive!

53 The best teachers in the world, teach nothing, but inspire their students to learn thanks for your attention.

54 Who wants a Handout?