Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Trade Schools in Dallas
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the structure of soft tissue such as the pregnant uterus, kidneys, gall bladder and other organs per physician order. There are currently two Diagnostic Medical Sonographer programs in Dallas, Texas, that are accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Allied Health Programs.
El Centro College
El Centro College offers an Advanced Technical Certificate and an Associate degree option to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Applications are accepted by December 31st of each year. Ten students are accepted each June based on admission as a full-time student to El Centro College, a personal interview, recommendation letters, an information session attendance, HESI scores and the Imaging Core Curriculum GPA.
After completion of the certificate or associate degree option, graduates may take the national certification exam provided by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Classes are held five days a week during daytime hours. Classes are focused on pathology, medical ethics, patient positioning, medical terminology, imaging principles, ultrasound physics, patient care procedures, clinical experience related to anatomy and physiology, skills lab and lectures.
El Centro College Considerations
Applicants to the Certificate option should have at least a current Associate's Degree in an allied health field or a bachelor degree with a science discipline. Applicants must have completed two of the three following courses prior to acceptance: College Algebra, Composition I and either Introduction to Speech Communication or Fundamentals of Public Speaking.
Applicants for the Associate's degree must have completed Composition I, College Algebra and Anatomy and Physiology I or Applied Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
Approximate cost for the Associate's degree program for in-county residents is $6,367.39.
The address and telephone number for El Centro College is:
801 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75202
Telephone 214-860-2000
Sanford Brown Institute
Sanford Brown Institute offers a Certificate program. Requirements for admission to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program include a high school diploma or GED, personal interview, a minimum score of 165 on the CPAt entrance exam including a minimum numerical score of 44 and completion of 48 semester credit hours of postsecondary education.
After completing the 70 semester hour credits of the certificate option, graduates may take the national certification exam provided by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Classes are focused on on-campus lecture and skills lab as well as off-campus clinical experience. The Sanford Brown Institute offers day and evening classes.
Sanford Brown Institute Considerations
Applicants must have completed a minimum of six semester credits in math, chemistry and human biology. According to the Sanford Brown Institute 2008-2009 catalog, approximate cost for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is $37,413.
The address and telephone number for Sanford Brown Institute is:
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program
1250 West Mockingbird Lane
Suite 150
Dallas, TX 75247
1(888) 317-6333
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer was between $48, 890 and $67,670. Most sonographers are employed by hospitals, but jobs are available in doctor offices, diagnostic and medical laboratories and mobile imaging services. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers can specialize in obstetrics and gynecologic sonography, abdominal sonography, neurosonography, breast sonography, vascular sonography and cardiac sonography.
Tags: Diagnostic Medical, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Medical Sonographer, Brown Institute, Sanford Brown, Sanford Brown Institute
