Ultrasound technicians, also called sonographers, are medical professionals that use diagnostic medical sonography to capture images of certain parts of patient's bodies to assist in diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Completion of a certificate or associate degree is required. A Certified Ultrasound Technician has completed a certification examination administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. A variety of programs for ultrasound technicians are located around the country that prepare individuals to sit for the certification exam.
Northeast U.S.
Bradford Institute has a campus located in Elizabeth and Paterson, New Jersey. It offers a one-year ultrasound technician certificate program. The program is intended to provide ample education for students to perform general and vascular diagnostic ultrasounds that will be interpreted by physicians. The curriculum meets the standard of the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine and includes classroom instruction, laboratory components, case students, practice sessions and clinical experiences.
Middlesex Community College located in Bedford, Massachusetts, offers a diagnostic medical sonography Associate in Science degree. The program enables students to gain a solid understanding of the field including traditional and modern techniques. Students also develop and hone critical thinking skills, clinical skills, ethical practices, and oral and written communication abilities to successfully interact with patients and other health care professionals. The curriculum includes classroom instruction as well as an extensive clinical portion. The program also includes general education requirements.
Midwest U.S.
Central Ohio Technical College offers a diagnostic medical sonography technology program at the Associate of Applied Science level. Students can select the general or cardiovascular option. The general option emphasizes sonography of abdominal, obstetrical and gynecological regions. The cardiovascular area focuses on cardiac and vascular sonography. The degree requires general education courses, sonography courses and rotations in clinical settings. The college has four campuses in Newark, Pataskala, Knox and Coshocton, Ohio.
Argosy University Twin Cities in Eagan, Minnesota, offers an diagnostic medical sonography associate degree. The Associate of Applied Science program is designed to prepare individuals to work as part of a health care team and to professionally and ethically interact with patients. The curriculum includes general education courses, program-specific classes and a six-month clinical training requirement. Students are required to choose a specific focus: general sonography, vascular sonography or echocardiography.
Southern U.S.
Pitt Community College is located in Winterville, North Carolina. It offers a medical sonography Associate of Applied Science program. The program provides students with the knowledge and clinical abilities to perform a variety of sonography procedures and develop patient interaction abilities. The curriculum includes classroom instruction, laboratory components and clinical experiences. Besides program coursework, general education requirements are also required.
Alvin Community College in Alvin, Texas, offers an associate degree and certificate program in diagnostic cardiovascular sonography (DCVS). The Associate of Applied Science degree option enables students to pursue careers in vascular technology or echocardiography by enabling them to develop and hone necessary clinical abilities. Students can choose the non-invasive vascular technology focus or the echocardiography focus and general education prerequisites are required. The Advanced Technical Certificate program is an abbreviated form of the associate degree program that is intended for students who have a degree in an allied health care-related area. Students pursuing the certificate program select pediatric echocardiography, diagnostic cardiovascular sonography-vascular technology or diagnostic cardiovascular sonography-echocardiography.
Western U.S.
West Coast Ultrasound Institute in Beverly Hills, California, offers a diploma program in diagnostic medical sonography. It provides training in a variety of sonography areas including vascular ultrasound, obstetric and gynecology ultrasound and abdominal ultrasound and superficial structures. Students also learn patient assessment and interaction techniques. The program consists of classroom lectures, laboratory components and externship rotations at clinical sites.
Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado, offers an associate degree and certificate program in diagnostic medical sonography. It prepares individuals for careers in diagnostic medical sonography that focus on abdominal and OB/GYN sonography. Both the Associate of Applied Science and Certificate of Completion program require general education courses, and core requirements. The core requirements include laboratory and clinical observation and internship components.
Tags: diagnostic medical sonography, medical sonography, general education, Applied Science, Associate Applied, Associate Applied Science, associate degree