Schooling Options: Become a Sonographer in Vermont

Looking ahead to 2014, skilled Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will find many employment opportunities as the health care industry relies more on high-tech, non-invasive procedures to meet patient needs.

5 Steps to Becoming a Sonographer in Vermont

Step 1: Decide the type of degree and the preferred concentration Step 2: Find a school with a sonography program accredited by the CAAHEP and that offers the chosen degree and preferred concentration, whether that is general, cardiac, pediatric cardiac or vascular Step 3: Evaluate each school in terms of location, prerequisites, admission requirements and program quality Step 4: Complete coursework and clinical training to become an ultrasound technician Step 5: Become a certified sonographer by passing the ARDMS exams students will sit for the ARDMS exams

What to Learn in an Accredited Sonography Program?

It is essential to choose a CAAHEP-acrredited program, which has been reviewed by professionals for the quality of the coursework, clinical training and faculty.

Typical courses for an accredited sonography program include:

Fundamentals of pathophysiology Organ systems Kinesiology Diagnostic imaging SD/4D imaging Contrast imaging Biomedical sciences Anatomy Molecular imaging Health care administration

Depending on the program, clinical training is completed at the medical center where the program is offered or at a clinic affiliate of the school. Some programs will allow students to complete clinical training at a facility of their choice, though the school must approve the selection. For students attending out-of-state schools or an online sonography school to complete coursework, this can be an important program feature.

Options for Schooling

As of 2014, Vermont does not have a CAAHEP-accredited program, so students must find an out-of-state program or an online program. Many students prefer to find a school close to home, and Vermont is fortunately in a populated area of the U.S. Vermont is bordered by New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The three states have CAAHEP-accredited programs, and all three states are within easy driving distance of Vermont.

It is also possible to take an online sonography program. The CAAHEP lists three qualifying schools with accredited distance education programs. However, it is only the coursework that can be completed online. Clinical training must be completed at an approved medical center. The three programs are:

Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas - Bachelor's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography; Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan - Associate degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Bachelor's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography; Bachelor's degree in Diagnostic Imaging

Salary and Career Outlook for Sonographers in Vermont

Vermont is small state, but statistics show the average annual wage is excellent at $72,490 as of May 2012 per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a wage that is 9.2 percent higher than the national average wage of $66,360. The long term employment projections for the period 2010 to 2020 are also excellent.

It is expected that the number of jobs will grow by 30.5 percent over the ten years. Burlington, Vermont is the largest city in the state and the pay ranges from $54,098 to $76,920. In the nonmetropolitan area of southern Vermont, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earn an average salary of $74,950.

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