Ultrasound technicians can expect healthy job growth in their field.
Obtaining certification to become an ultrasound technician can take anywhere from one to four years, depending on your experience, previous education and the ultrasound specialty you wish to pursue. Dallas, Texas, is an excellent city in which to learn become an ultrasound technician, given the large concentration of hospitals and clinics. Ultrasound technicians, otherwise known as diagnostic medical sonographers, should expect "faster than average employment growth," according to the 2010 Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
El Centro College
Located in downtown Dallas, El Centro College is part of the greater Dallas Community College System and offers three ultrasound programs from which to choose, including diagnostic medical sonography, echocardiology technology and pediatric echocardiology. All are collectively referred to as specialized imaging programs and share the same application but have different entrance and graduation requirements. All applicants to an imaging program must complete the 34-hour specialized imaging core curriculum---which includes courses in anatomy and physiology, college algebra, Pharmacology, speech communications, and introductory courses to the health professions--prior to their application. The diagnostic medical sonography program requires an additional 38 hours; the echocardiology and pediatric echocardiology programs, an additional 36 hours. Students can obtain an associate degree upon completion, or a certificate if they have previous significant experience in health care and/or have a bachelor's degree in a related discipline. The El Centro program is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Allied Health Programs and is the first to be accredited as such in the state of Texas.
Imaging Admissions
Health Occupations Admissions Office
El Centro College/Paramount
301 N. Market St.
Dallas, TX 75202
972-860-5003
elcentrocollege.edu
Sanford-Brown College-Dallas
Sanford-Brown College-Dallas is a for-profit vocational training institution located near downtown Dallas that offers associate's degrees and certificates in various health care professions, including cardiovascular sonography and diagnostic medical sonography. Students enrolled in the former receive an associate's degree after completion of a comprehensive curriculum that includes both hands-on training and rigorous academic coursework in cardiovascular science, telemetry, echocardiography and holter monitoring, and EKG technology. Diagnostic medical sonography students receive a certificate that will allow them to work as general sonographers or ultrasound technicians. Like the cardiovascular program, students take basic foundation courses in anatomy and physiology as well as advanced classwork, laboratory work and practical clinical training.
Sanford-Brown College-Dallas
1250 W. Mockingbird Lane
Suite 150
Dallas, TX 75247
888-317-6333
sanfordbrown.edu
Keith Mauney & Associates Ultrasound Training Institutes
Founded by Keith Mauney, formerly of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center's Clinical Vascular Laboratory, Keith Mauney & Associates Ultrasound Training Institutes offers health care professionals focused ultrasound training at its site in Dallas. The goal is to provide allied health providers already working in the health care field a comprehensive training program that takes less time than a formal degree program but that gives them the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to perform the procedure at their clinical sites. Courses are offered throughout the year and take anywhere from two to seven days, depending on the course. Registry review courses are also available for those who need additional assistance in studying for their certification exams. In addition, the Institutes offer on-site training and ultrasound support.
Keith Mauney & Associates Ultrasound Training Institutes
4620 Colleyville Blvd., #102
Colleyville, TX 76034
972-353-3200
kmaultrasound.com
Tags: health care, Keith Mauney, medical sonography, Associates Ultrasound, Associates Ultrasound Training, Centro College, diagnostic medical
