The process of becoming an ultrasound technician is one that requires fairly significant education. There are really no short cuts to it, not ones that are recommended anyway. So if you want to pursue this career path, it’s best to go about it right. You want to find ultrasound technician schools that are worth your time and money. They are not all created equally, so take your time and consider some of the following suggestions in your search for the right learning institution.
Degree Type
One important consideration is the type of certification or degree you’re after. There are three main categories here – programs of one year or less, 2 year programs that result in associate’s degrees, and 4 year Bachelors degree programs.
In the first category you need to exercise the most caution. There are small career schools and online academies that promise big job opportunities if you complete a 9 month or 1 year program. The reality is that often these programs are not thorough enough in the topics they cover and often not accredited by the professional organizations such as CAHEEP. They may promise that if you do a year of “in the field” work after completing their programs you will be qualified to sit for the ARDMS certification exam. You may then find that getting hired for and completing a year’s worth of actual work is hard to do with the modest educational credentials the programs offer.
Often one year type programs are better for people who are already in the allied health fields and wish to expand their areas of expertise. It’s not that they can’t work for a beginner, but use caution and pay attention to the advice concerning accreditation below.
Associate’s degree programs, which generally last 2 years, in ultrasound are usually a better starting point. There are a number of accredited ultrasound technician schools that offer these programs, which are popular with beginners that don’t want to go the whole 4 year route right off the bat. Look into community colleges, larger 4 year colleges and universities, and even reputable online programs for 2 year programs.
Bachelor’s degree programs are a still more thorough route toward steady employment and good pay in the field. There are a multitude of good, reputable 4 year colleges that offer these degrees, so you’re in a good position to find ones that will suit your needs in your area. Search online for these programs or simply call local state or private colleges and ask whether it is offered. Do background research on schools you are considering.
Accreditation
As mentioned above, a good guide to the quality of an ultrasound technician school, whatever program length and certification level you are pursuing, is whether it is accredited. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAHEEP) is the main organization that accredits sonography and other allied health programs. A very good starting point in your school search is to get on CAHEEP’s website – they have state by state listings of accredited schools.
Investigate Schools Known for Ultrasound Education
U.S. News and World Report rates the following universities as the top ultrasound technician schools in the country: Newman University, the University of Oklahoma, and Seattle University. Of course you don’t have to take their word for it, and there are a lot of other factors involved, but checking out which schools are considered the crème de la crème of the field can at least give you a benchmark to measure other schools against.
Consider Online Schools
This wouldn’t seem to be the best option considering how “hands on” this career is, but sometimes time or distance constraints make online education the best choice. There are some reputable online ultrasound technician schools to be found if you take your time and look.
Some schools that are well known for their online programs include Kaplan University, Devry, and the University of Phoenix, though there are many others. Again, check for accreditation and generally research a school’s background (you can even use those online review sites to see whether students are satisfied with the schools) before signing up for anything.
There are many good programs out there in sonography/ultrasound and this is a growing field with plenty of work. Do your homework, so to speak, and select a program that’s reputable and right for you, you’ll be glad you did when it comes time to hunt for a job.
Helpful links/professional organizations:
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAHEEP)
caahep.org
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)
ardms.org
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
arrt.org