Ultrasound Technician Schools
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Ultrasound technician schools prepare students with sufficient knowledge and practical skills to work in an ultrasound center or at a hospital's sonography department. In ultrasound technician schools, students will learn how to handle patient registration, appointment scheduling, operation of systems and performing ultrasound procedures. Generally, the courses provided by ultrasound technician schools should include sufficient theory and practical knowledge to enable students to take and pass the national certification examination.
Ultrasound technician schools usually offer two-year associate degrees and four-year bachelor degrees. However, education can also be obtained from technical schools, vocational colleges and hospitals that offer programs of study and on-the-job training for potential technicians. Other ultrasound technician schools provide a one-year program that allows you to earn a certificate. Although ultrasound techs are not required to have licensure by the state they work in, voluntary registration can increase marketability, prove competency and increase one’s salary.
Aside from classroom lectures, ultrasound technician schools require all students to undergo a three- to six-month hands-on, unpaid and supervised clinical training. Once you have completed the credits for lectures and internship, the ultrasound technician schools will conduct a comprehensive examination and award those with at least 70% score with a certificate of completion or diploma.
Other ultrasound technician schools provide programs for ultrasound specializations. After completing a medical-related course or obtaining a one-year certificate, two-year associates degree or four-year bachelor's degree in sonography, you can pursue specializations, such as echocardiography, breast sonography, neurosonography, abdominal sonography, mammography and OB/GYN sonography.
Upon completing programs from ultrasound technician schools, majority of jobs are available in hospitals. However, you can also obtain employment from private doctor's offices and medical laboratories. With an educational background, you can expect to earn $53,000 annually. According to studies, the demand for ultrasound technician jobs is growing and is expected to increase until 2014.
