Ultrasound techs use ultrasound to develop images of internal organs and body parts.
Ultrasound technicians are trained in the use of ultrasound as a means to diagnose medical conditions. The equipment sends high frequency sound waves to an area of the patient's body. This causes an echo, which produces an image of the tissues, abdomen, breasts or other area inside the body that may need medical attention. Ultrasound technicians are also known as sonographers and vascular technicians. They need a formal education for the job and can find it at several ultrasound technician programs in the San Francisco area.
Lincoln University
Lincoln University is in Oakland, 13 miles from San Francisco. The school offers a certificate program for the ultrasound technician position and an associate of science degree program for diagnostic imaging. The degree program has two concentrations: diagnostic sonography and echocardiography. The certificate program takes 80 weeks to complete while the degree program takes two years. Prerequisites for the degree program include classes in science and math. Both programs take 71 credit units for completion. Courses include abdomen and small parts, advanced echo imaging, physical principles of ultrasound and clinical coursework.
Lincoln University
401 15th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
888-810-9998
lincolnuca.edu/index.php?pageId=362
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences is 18 miles outside of San Francisco in neighboring Richmond. The school offers a two-year sonogram program with concentrations in general and cardiac sonography. To be admitted to the program students must already possess at least an associate's degree in an allied health field such as radiologic technology, or have completed 60 credit hours in college coursework. Prerequisite classes include science, math and medical terminology. Core classes for both concentrations include patient care and ergonomics, ultrasound physics and instrumentation, introduction to abdominal, pelvic and cardiovascular sonography and medical and legal ethics. Other required classes are specific to each concentration, such as advanced OB/GYN for the general concentration and advances in echocardiography for the cardiac concentration.
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program
938 Marina Way South
Richmond, CA 94553
510-231-5055
kpsahs.org
Foothill College
Foothill College is 39 miles from San Francisco in the town of Los Altos Hills. A certificate of achievement program is offered in diagnostic medical sonography. Students will spend six quarter terms in the core degree program, which requires 96 credit hours for graduation. Prior to beginning the program students should be certified in CPR and have completed an associate or bachelor's degree in an allied health program such as nursing. Prerequisite studies include math, science and English. Core curriculum includes sectional anatomy, diagnostic medical sonography procedures and applications, six classes in critique and pathology, three classes in diagnostic medical sonography and two classes in obstetrics. Clinical courses require students to work 32 hours per week in clinical practice.
Foothill College
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
650-949-7304
foothill.fhda.edu/programs/programs.php
Tags: degree program, Allied Health, Allied Health Sciences, diagnostic medical, diagnostic medical sonography, Foothill College, Health Sciences
