Advancing the Profession: The Rise of the Advanced Practice Sonographer

In this powerful episode of Sonographers After Dark, Lara sits down with Joy Guthrie, PhD., ACS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, FSDMS, FASE, to discuss the evolution of advanced practice sonography and what it truly means to elevate our profession.
Joy shares the story behind launching one of the first Advanced Cardiac Sonography programs in 2016—and how it expanded to include Advanced Perinatal Ultrasound and Advanced Vascular tracks. Designed for experienced sonographers with at least three years of clinical practice and a bachelor’s degree, these hybrid programs combine online coursework with immersive on-campus residency. The result? Graduates who return to their institutions with increased responsibility, new job descriptions, and higher compensation.
Together, Lara and Joy explore:
• The shift toward advanced roles in cardiac, vascular, and perinatal imaging
• Why many “advanced” roles aren’t labeled that way—but function at a higher clinical level
• How accreditation and positions like Technical Director have reshaped expectations (often requiring ACS-level expertise)
• The development of the CAAHEP Pathway program for advanced practice
• Gaining physician buy-in and aligning with collaborative, extender-style practice models
• Practical application tips for competitive advanced program admission
• The unique challenges of pediatric echocardiography training and why hands-on experience is non-negotiable
This episode is more than a conversation—it’s a roadmap for sonographers who are ready to expand their scope, elevate patient care, and help define the next generation of our profession.
If you’ve ever wondered what the future of advanced sonography looks like… this is it.
#SonographersAfterDark #AllAboutUltrasound #iheartecho #LoveUltrasound #LoveEcho💜

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Watch the full episode here or listen on your favorite platform:
Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio

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