Educational pathways to becoming an ultrasound technician (or sonographer) can include on-the-job training, military training or educational programs. Ultrasound technician training programs may offer an advantage in finding employment: employers prefer education from an ultrasound technician training program, and prefer registered technicians. Registered technicians have passed national certification examinations offered by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

Ultrasound technician training programs generally last from one to four years, depending on the certificate or degree sought. A diploma program that balances classroom and clinical (hands-on) training can last 18 months. Prerequisite classes may include math, English, general human anatomy and physiology courses. Core classes for ultrasound technician training can include sonography of specific body areas.

Employment for ultrasound technicians or sonographers is expected to increase by approximately l8 percent between 2008-2018, faster than average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2009 diagnostic medical sonographers made a mean annual wage of $63,640 (BLS).

Ultrasound Technician Training: Realities of the Career

Nearly 60 percent of all ultrasound technicians work in hospitals, working with patients to help doctors diagnose illness. Ultrasound works by directing high frequency sound waves into specific body areas by use of a handheld device called a transducer. The resulting sound images help doctors make diagnoses.

In addition to working with patients, ultrasound technicians:

Obtain patient histories
Analyze technical information
Adjust and maintain diagnostic equipment

Ultrasound technician training offers several specialties:

Obstetric and gynecologic
Abdominal
Neurosonography
Breast sonography

If working one-on-one with patients and as part of a medical team appeals to you, check out the opportunities ultrasound technician training can offer.

Emily Kerr is a Northern Nevada freelance writer who writes about education. Her background is in journalism, and she writes about her passions.

ARDMS American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers • http://www.ardms.org • http://www.ardms.org/default.asp?contentID=966 • Career Ladder Beyond the Entry Level Staff Radiologist • http://www.tmcc.edu • http://www.tmcc.edu/x-ray/career/ • TMCC • Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program • http://www.radtech.ucsd.edu • http://www.radtech.ucsd.edu/Rad2/Ultra.htm • UC San Diego • Diagnostic Medical Sonographers • http://www.bls.gov • http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm • Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009 • Diagnostic Medical Sonographers • http://www.bls.gov • http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm • Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 • Radiology Science Programs UC San Diego • http://www.radtech.ucsd.edu • http://www.radtech.ucsd.edu • So You Want to be a Sonographer • http://www.sdms.org • http://www.sdms.org/career/career.asp • Ultrasound (Diagnostic Medical Sonography) • http://www.newbridgecollege.edu • http://www.newbridgecollege.edu/programs.cfm

Schools are listed in alphabetical order by state then city.

Carrington College California	[Citrus Heights, CA]
Programs: Dental Assisting Health Care Administration Massage Therapy Medical Assisting Pharmacy Technology Surgical Technology Ultrasound Technology Request More Information >

American Career College - Norco Campus

[Norco, CA]

American Career College (ACC) is one of the largest and most respected vocational training schools in the country. With campuses in Los Angeles and Orange County, ACC can provide you with the skills to become a Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Biller/Health Claims Examiner, Optical Technician, Dental Assistant, Vocational Nursing, Computerized Business Specialist, or Surgical Technician. The best part? ACC can provide you with the skills you need in less than a year.
Programs:
  Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound)
  Massage Therapy
  Medical Assistant
  Pharmacy Technician
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Programs vary by campus. Program lengths vary by session and schedule. Financial aid available to those who qualify. ACC cannot guarantee employment. American Career College is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. To view our catalog, visit americancareercollege.edu/pdf/catalog.pdf. To view ACC's required outcome disclosures, visit http://americancareercollege.edu/cpl/disclosures.html

Sanford-Brown Institute - Landover

[Landover, MD]

Prepare for career success at Sanford-Brown Institute. Choose from a wide variety of health care program areas including Massage Therapy, Cardiovascular Technology, Medical and Dental Assisting and Surgical Technology. Convenient campus locations across the country include campuses in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Program availability differs by location.
Programs:
Certificate - Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound
Certificate - Medical Assistant
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Sanford-Brown Institute - Iselin

[Iselin, NJ]

Prepare for career success at Sanford-Brown Institute. Choose from a wide variety of health care program areas including Massage Therapy, Cardiovascular Technology, Medical and Dental Assisting and Surgical Technology. Convenient campus locations across the country include campuses in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Program availability differs by location.
Programs:
  Certificate - Advanced Massage Therapy
  Certificate - Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound
  Certificate - Medical Assistant
  Certificate - Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
  Certificate - Surgical Technology
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Sanford-Brown Institute - Garden City

[Garden City, NY]

Prepare for career success at Sanford-Brown Institute. Choose from a wide variety of health care program areas including Massage Therapy, Cardiovascular Technology, Medical and Dental Assisting and Surgical Technology. Convenient campus locations across the country include campuses in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Program availability differs by location.
Licensed by the New York State Education Department
Programs:
  Diploma - Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound
  Diploma - Medical Assistant
  Diploma - Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
  Diploma - Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
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Sanford-Brown Institute - White Plains

[White Plains, NY]

Prepare for career success at Sanford-Brown Institute. Choose from a wide variety of health care program areas including Massage Therapy, Cardiovascular Technology, Medical and Dental Assisting and Surgical Technology. Convenient campus locations across the country include campuses in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Program availability differs by location.
Programs:
  Certificate - Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound
  Certificate - Medical Assistant
  Certificate - Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
  Certificate - Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
Request More Information >

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