Ultrasound Education

Schools by State
for Sonographers:

AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA IA IL KS KY LA MA MD MI MN MO MS NC NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT WA WI WV WY

Career Highlights for
Sonographers

Training generally required for this career includes: Associate degree.

Jobs and Salary
Median Salary (2008)	$61,980
Unemployment Vs. Other Jobs	Very Low
Jobs (2006)	46,000
Job Growth (2006-2016)	19.1%
Jobs (2016 forecast)	54,000

Flexibility
Working Part-Time	17%
Self-Employed	1%

Education of Current Workers
Bachelor Degree or Higher	25%
Some College	68%
High School or Less	7%

Relevant Job Titles

(Supplied by experts and industry contributors for this career category)

Cardiac Sonographer
Cardiac/Vascular Sonographer
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Echo Tech (Echocardiographic Technician)
Registered Diagnonstic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Sonogram Technician
Sonographer
Sonography Technician
Ultra Sound Technician
Ultrasonic Tester
Ultrasonographer
Ultrasound Technican
Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound Technologist
Ultrasound Tester

Information Sources

BrainTrack's information on colleges and careers is drawn from many sources, including government databases, BrainTrack's own research, and results from original data analysis algorithms.

Ultrasound Technician Job Description

Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.

Ultrasound technicians (also called diagnostic medical sonographers) use imaging technology to help medical practitioners diagnose and treat patient health problems. An ultrasound machine uses sonography to bounce high frequency sound waves off of specific areas within the body. The resulting images can be used to assess and diagnose conditions. Ultrasound technicians are trained in using this technology to capture images of babies during mothers' pregnancy, and other organs.

The responsibilities of an ultrasound technician typically include:

Preparing patients for procedures
Selecting correct equipment settings for requested tests
Helping patients move into specific positions for the best imaging
Holding and directing imaging devices to specific anatomical locations
Examining images during procedures for specific cues that indicate healthy or unhealthy areas
Evaluating images for quality and saving good ones for doctors' review
Taking measurements and analyzing results before submitting reports to doctors
Maintaining medical equipment and patient records
Overseeing sonography or diagnostic imaging departments and purchases of equipment

Ultrasound technicians may choose to specialize in one or more of these areas:

Obstetric and gynecologic sonography of female reproductive organs
Abdominal sonography of the kidneys, gallbladder, liver, kidneys, pancreas and spleen
Neurosonography of the brain
Breast sonography
Vascular sonography of blood vessels
Cardiac sonography of the heart

While most ultrasound technicians work in hospitals, some work as a contract employee and travel to different facilities within an area. They may use portable equipment to visit patients who do not have access to the technology otherwise.

Ultrasound Technician Degrees and Ultrasound Technician Schools

Ultrasound technicians can get a degree or certification in diagnostic medical sonography. Two-year associate's degree programs are most popular, and are offered through vocational schools, colleges and universities. Four-year bachelor's degrees are also available through colleges and universities. Two-year certification programs are offered through some hospitals. One-year certification programs do exist, but are not accredited and are intended for current workers in the healthcare industry who are continuing their education.

Organizations such as the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredit college, university and some hospital programs.

Program applicants with experience in health care or a science background are preferred by most schools.

Ultrasound Technician Classes

For a degree or certification in diagnostic medical sonography, coursework is usually divided between class time and clinical hands-on practice. Classes usually include:

anatomy and physiology
technology and instrumentation
patient care
medical record keeping
introductory physics
medical ethics

Online Ultrasound Technician Classes and Programs

There are a few CAAHEP accredited online diagnostic medical sonography programs available, providing a convenient and flexible solution for busy students. When evaluating these programs, find out how much clinical time is required, and what kind of job placement services they offer. These may be far more limited than campus-based programs.

Ultrasound Technician Requirements

Completion of an accredited two-year degree or certification program in diagnostic medical sonography is preferred by most employers who hire ultrasound technicians. State licensure is not required, but many employers hire Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) who have been certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

How to Evaluate Ultrasound Technician Schools

Aspiring ultrasound technicians should consider asking the following questions when evaluating programs in diagnostic medical sonography:

Accreditation - Has the program been accredited by the CAAHEP or other accrediting body? Has an online school been accredited by a distance-learning oversight organization?
Focus - Are curricula more focused on learning the technology or learning how to work in a medical setting with patients and doctors? Which is needed more by the evaluating student?
Practical experience - How much importance is placed on supervised clinical experience? Are there plenty of desirable opportunities?
School and class size - What is the average class size for most courses? What kinds of financial aid are offered (scholarships, loans, work study, grants, etc.)? Does it seem like a large part of tuition is going to amenities, such as special services or facilities, that may not be utilized by the evaluating student?
Graduate success - Of those who graduate from the program, how many become ARDMS certified? How many find and keep employment?

Relevant Schools That Respond Quickly to Info Requests Through This Site

School names link to detailed profiles. Use the Info from the School link to contact the school directly for more information. You may request information from as many schools as you like.

School	Campuses	Awards	Info
ATI College of Health	FL	Diploma	Info From School
Argosy University	MN	Associate	Info From School
Baker College Campus	MI	Associate	Info From School
Kaplan College	CA	Certificate, Diploma	Info From School
Sanford-Brown College	MO	Associate	Info From School
Sanford-Brown Institute	NJ, NY, GA, FL, TX	Associate, Certificate, Diploma	Info From School
Western Career College	CA	Associate, Certificate	Info From School

Listed below are some of the careers in the US with the most job openings and/or fastest growth, according to US government statistics and BrainTrack's own analysis. BrainTrack's profiles for these careers overview responsibilities, degrees, areas of study, career requirements, online study options, and how to evaluate relevant schools. Each profile also lists relevant US schools including those in each state.

Engineering and Technology