Absaraka, ND
The Ultrasound school in Absaraka directory below includes 28 local universities, colleges and schools in the Absaraka, North Dakota, which offer CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography programs as of 2015. There are a few schools offering accredited online ultrasound programs for students who prefer distance education. The programs include general sonography programs, cardiac sonography programs, vascular sonography programs and Pediatric Cardiac sonography programs. The school directory is updated in Oct 2015.
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Ultrasound Technician: What You’ll Do
Ultrasound technicians, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, are responsible for operating equipment that produce and record images or conduct tests. These images are then used by physicians to make a diagnosis.
Most people are familiar with the role of an ultrasound technician as it relates to pregnancy, but sonograms are also used to examine breast tissue, brain and spinal cord and muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints and organs in the abdominal cavity.
Like other allied health careers, specialization is a possibility with sonography. Cardiac sonographers produce imaging of a patient’s heart, heart chambers, valves and vessels. A vascular sonographer is similar to a cardiac sonographer, but they focus primarily on blood vessels and blood flow.
An ultrasound technician’s job requires more than just producing an image. You’ll interact with patients by preparing them for the procedure. You’ll also need a keen eye; ultrasound technicians must be able to recognize normal and abnormal images. Analyzing diagnostic information and providing it to the physician is a regular job task.
Ultrasound technicians work primarily in hospitals, physician’s offices and laboratories, but before you can get there, you’ll need to earn an ultrasound technician education.
What are the Different Job Titles?
A sonographer is the same thing as an ultrasound tech. There is no difference. In fact, depending on their place of employment and special area of practice, they can also have job titles such as:
- Diagnostic medical sonographer
- Ultrasound technologist
- Ultrasound technician
- Ultrasonographer
- Diagnostic cardiac sonographer
- Cardiac sonographer
- Echocardiographic technician
- Vascular sonographer
How to Become an Ultrasound Technician in Absaraka?
Sonographers usually earn at least an associate degree or a postsecondary certificate in Absaraka, ND. They may also earn professional ultrasound certification or state licensure related to a specialty. High school students interested in sonography should take human anatomy, physiology and mathematics courses. The final level of education that sonographers need depends on their career goals.
- Certificate program. Sonography certificate programs in Absaraka provide sonography training to people who already work in related healthcare jobs, such as nursing. Sonography certificates can be earned in as little as one year.
- Associates degree. Associate degrees in sonography in Absaraka are sufficient for entry-level positions. Associate degrees can be earned in two years.
- Bachelors degree. A bachelor’s degree in sonography in Absaraka enables sonographers to become consultants or department heads. Students with a bachelors degree can also apply to a medical school. Students with an associates degree can earn a bachelors degree within two years. Otherwise, students usually complete a bachelors degree program in four years.
- Graduate degree. Graduate degrees in ultrasound technology in Absaraka are appropriate for students that want to teach at the university level. Advanced degrees equip students to perform specialized research and to publish their findings in medical journals. Most master’s degree programs take at least two years to complete.
- On-the-job training. Sometimes, nurses or radiologists learn sonography on-the-job. In these cases, continuing education courses can supplement experiential knowledge. Most states require sonographers to earn medical continuing education (CME) credits throughout their careers in order to retain their ultrasound technician certification.
Ultrasound Technician Career Overview in Absaraka
Education Associate’s degree is most common; certificate and bachelor’s degree programs also available Certification Professional certification may be required or preferred by some employers Projected Job Growth (2011-2024) in Absaraka 49% Median Salary (2015)* (Absaraka) $65,174 Find A School How do I Choose an Ultrasound Technician Program in Absaraka?
Accreditation – The accrediting body for medical sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health/Education Programs (CAAHEP). The CAAHEP has accredited 150 programs, including those offered by colleges and universities, as well as some hospital training programs. Though attending an accredited program is not the only way to become a medical sonographer in Absaraka, it does automatically qualify graduates to sit for the certifying exam and is universally recognized by employers.
Admissions Requirements – Make sure to research the admissions requirements of programs that interest you. Vocational, associate and bachelor’s programs may specific courses in math, health, and/or sciences.
Career Goals/ Specialization – Because specialization is so common in sonography, be sure that your program of choice offers your desired specialty. Vascular and cardiac sonography are two particularly specialized programs that not all schools offer.
Curriculum – Look over the program curriculum and make sure that yours provides plenty of hands-on experience. Because sonography is a very hands-on, technical profession, this might be the most important part of your education.
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Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for diagnostic medical sonographers, which include ultrasound technicians, are projected to increase by 49% between 2012 and 2022 (www.bls.gov) in Absaraka. This growth is attributed to the fact that health care providers prefer ultrasound imaging as a safer alternative to radiology. The BLS also noted that the median annual wage for diagnostic medical sonographers was $68,514 in Oct 2012.
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