Healthcare has been one of the most popular career choices in history. As the population continues to grow and replenish, the need for healthcare remains constant. There will always be a demand for people to enter the healthcare workforce, especially as the population ages, the workforce ages as well. The turnover of workers is a constant fact if you decide on entering this particular field, meaning that sonography jobs will always be available all over the country.
A little background on sonography
Sonography is one of the oldest and safest diagnostic procedures used today. It uses sound waves in medical imaging, sending the waves through the body and back, creating the images. Sound waves have been studied and proven to have no risk at all, making the procedure very safe for all patients. By 2013, there were 58,250 sonographers employed in the US. They were earning $67,170 annually on average.
Getting educated in sonography
Students should know where to find online sonogram technician programs that are accredited by CAAHEP if they plan on studying or starting a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer. There are only 212 accredited by CAAHEP in the entire country, with more and more schools being added each year. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is very transparent with the schools they accredit, all of them being listed on the CAAHEP website.
The best paying states for sonographers in the US are California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Rhode Island. There are 10 accredited sonography schools in California, 4 in Washington, 5 in Alaska, and 2 in Rhode Island accredited by the CAAHEP. While Oregon is the second highest paying state, there are still no accredited schools in the state.
The best paying states for sonographers in the US are California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Rhode Island. There are 10 accredited sonography schools in California, 4 in Washington, 5 in Alaska, and 2 in Rhode Island accredited by the CAAHEP. While Oregon is the second highest paying state, there are still no accredited schools in the state.
Degree or certificate?
Discussions on whether it is better to take an associate or bachelor degree or a certificate program has been around since educational programs started becoming shorter and shorter. Arguments exist for shorter programs since getting certified is all the same whether or not you have a degree or a certificate. However, degree programs typically offer better training because of the longer training period. Requirements for the two programs are also quite different.
- People who are already healthcare providers and professionals or have previously studied allied health subjects can opt for a faster educational track. They last between 12 and 18 months, including both clinical and didactic training. Certificate programs will usually allow allied health providers to skip many general education classes because they are already graduates of allied health programs.
- Degrees can either be 2 years of 4 years long. They have the typical curriculum structure of other associate or bachelor degree programs, with subjects on sonography equipment, medical terminology, and specialty sonography.
The ARDMS examination
The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography holds period examinations to become certified sonographers. There are two examinations that sonographers need to pass, one for Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) and the other for the specialty the sonographer wants to practice. While certification is not mandatory, most employers will require their employed sonographers to have an ARDMS certificate. Licensure is only mandatory in several states, including Oregon, New Mexico, West Virginia, and New Jersey.