The diagnostic medical sonography diploma programs prepare students to work as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. A sonographer or ultrasound technician is a specialized healthcare technologist or technician who uses high-tech medical equipment to create ultrasound images of soft tissues, organs and blood flow systems in the body. The images are produced through high frequency sound waves without the use of any radiation. Sonographers can earn a sonography diploma with a general concentration or specialize in cardiac or vascular systems.
Advantage of Sonography Diploma Programs
The sonography diploma programs are different from sonography degree programs in that fewer credits must be earned. However, this is only because the diploma programs require applicants to have already earned an Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree. The programs may even have different options based on the degree already earned. For example, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Professional Plus (DPP) diploma program may accept people who have a Bachelor's degree in a field that is not Medical Imaging. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Professional (DMP) diploma program may be designed for students who already have an Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or diploma in a Medical Imaging field like Nuclear Medicine or Radiologic Technology.
There are two main advantages of the diagnostic medical sonography diploma programs. First, students primarily take classes and complete necessary clinical training directly related only to ultrasound technology. Second, the programs give students additional professional training that qualifies them to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, expanding career options.
However, diploma students, like any medical sonography student, should attend a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Earning accreditation means the program has been evaluated and reviewed as to how well it prepares students to take the ARDMS examinations and earn certification. Earning ARDMS certification is necessary for program graduates who want to have the greatest number of employment opportunities. Most employer look for ARDMS registration when culling job applicants.
What to Expect from Sonography Diploma Programs?
Prerequisites: CAAHEP accredited diploma programs have stringent admission requirements for quality assurance reasons and because they receive many applications for each session. The requirements to apply may include graduation from an accredited two-year Allied Health program or a Bachelor's degree from any accredited program. The Specialized Diploma in Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs qualify students who meet the program entrance requirements, which vary from school to school, to work as an ultrasound technician.
Length: It takes 12 to 18 months to complete, depending on how the program is structured, previous degree earned and prior clinical training or experience.
Tuition Fees and Costs: Tuition and other costs, like fees and books, can vary significantly from school to school. The cost of attending a two-year institution is much less than attending a four-year educational facility. Other factors influencing the cost of education include whether the school is private, public, for-profit and/or non-profit.
For example, in a special study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics for the period 2011-2012, the annual average total cost of attendance for full-time students living off-campus, while attending two-year institutions, was $15,526 at a public in-state facility; $29,301 at a private nonprofit; and $27,362 at a private for-profit. The rates at four-year facilities can run as much as 40 percent more. Since the cost of education continues to rise in 2014, most students obtain some kind of financial aid as ultrasound scholarships, grants and loans.
Curriculum: Students can choose a sonography concentration that includes general, cardio or vascular, and the selection will determine the curriculum. Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonographer responsibilities focus on detecting and assessing conditions associated with the heart. Vascular Diagnostic Medical Sonographers detect and assess conditions associated with the vascular system, including aortas, arteries and veins. Program requirements may vary from school to school, but every CAAHEP accredited program meets minimum nationally established quality standards.
Tips on finding the Best Diploma Programs
As of 2014, there are 15 programs in 10 states offering diplomas in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Following are some more tips for finding suitable programs:
After selecting preferred qualified programs, review the school websites
Never hesitate to contact program faculty to ask specific questions
Inquire about the program's clinical affiliates to ensure locations are accessible
Make sure program start date fits personal needs
Research the faculty experience and qualifications
Ask the program counselor how many graduates find employment in their chosen concentration and if the schools provide job search assistance
Consider sonography diploma programs at schools offering scholarships
Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earned average annual wages of $67,170 or $32.29 per hour as of May 2013. The projected job growth of 22 percent for the period 2012-2022 is faster than the average of all occupations in the nation. Since most sonographers earning a sonography diploma have an Allied Health degree or extensive work experience, they are adding skills that can lead to wage increases. The sonography diploma also expands career options.
During the 10-year period, the number of job openings is projected to be 35,300 positions, but this number is likely to go up. As the national healthcare program expands, there is increasing emphasis on using outpatient, non-invasive medical procedures as opposed to surgery or other invasive techniques. Sonographers will be in increasing demand because they can work in all medical settings, do not use hazardous materials during imaging and can play an important role in wellness as well as diagnosing illnesses.
You can find all accredited sonography diploma programs on the website UltrasoundTechnicianCenter.org.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_J_Parmley
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8580632
Advantage of Sonography Diploma Programs
The sonography diploma programs are different from sonography degree programs in that fewer credits must be earned. However, this is only because the diploma programs require applicants to have already earned an Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree. The programs may even have different options based on the degree already earned. For example, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Professional Plus (DPP) diploma program may accept people who have a Bachelor's degree in a field that is not Medical Imaging. The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Professional (DMP) diploma program may be designed for students who already have an Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or diploma in a Medical Imaging field like Nuclear Medicine or Radiologic Technology.
There are two main advantages of the diagnostic medical sonography diploma programs. First, students primarily take classes and complete necessary clinical training directly related only to ultrasound technology. Second, the programs give students additional professional training that qualifies them to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, expanding career options.
However, diploma students, like any medical sonography student, should attend a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Earning accreditation means the program has been evaluated and reviewed as to how well it prepares students to take the ARDMS examinations and earn certification. Earning ARDMS certification is necessary for program graduates who want to have the greatest number of employment opportunities. Most employer look for ARDMS registration when culling job applicants.
What to Expect from Sonography Diploma Programs?
Prerequisites: CAAHEP accredited diploma programs have stringent admission requirements for quality assurance reasons and because they receive many applications for each session. The requirements to apply may include graduation from an accredited two-year Allied Health program or a Bachelor's degree from any accredited program. The Specialized Diploma in Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs qualify students who meet the program entrance requirements, which vary from school to school, to work as an ultrasound technician.
Length: It takes 12 to 18 months to complete, depending on how the program is structured, previous degree earned and prior clinical training or experience.
Tuition Fees and Costs: Tuition and other costs, like fees and books, can vary significantly from school to school. The cost of attending a two-year institution is much less than attending a four-year educational facility. Other factors influencing the cost of education include whether the school is private, public, for-profit and/or non-profit.
For example, in a special study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics for the period 2011-2012, the annual average total cost of attendance for full-time students living off-campus, while attending two-year institutions, was $15,526 at a public in-state facility; $29,301 at a private nonprofit; and $27,362 at a private for-profit. The rates at four-year facilities can run as much as 40 percent more. Since the cost of education continues to rise in 2014, most students obtain some kind of financial aid as ultrasound scholarships, grants and loans.
Curriculum: Students can choose a sonography concentration that includes general, cardio or vascular, and the selection will determine the curriculum. Cardiac Diagnostic Medical Sonographer responsibilities focus on detecting and assessing conditions associated with the heart. Vascular Diagnostic Medical Sonographers detect and assess conditions associated with the vascular system, including aortas, arteries and veins. Program requirements may vary from school to school, but every CAAHEP accredited program meets minimum nationally established quality standards.
Tips on finding the Best Diploma Programs
As of 2014, there are 15 programs in 10 states offering diplomas in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Following are some more tips for finding suitable programs:
After selecting preferred qualified programs, review the school websites
Never hesitate to contact program faculty to ask specific questions
Inquire about the program's clinical affiliates to ensure locations are accessible
Make sure program start date fits personal needs
Research the faculty experience and qualifications
Ask the program counselor how many graduates find employment in their chosen concentration and if the schools provide job search assistance
Consider sonography diploma programs at schools offering scholarships
Salary and Job Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earned average annual wages of $67,170 or $32.29 per hour as of May 2013. The projected job growth of 22 percent for the period 2012-2022 is faster than the average of all occupations in the nation. Since most sonographers earning a sonography diploma have an Allied Health degree or extensive work experience, they are adding skills that can lead to wage increases. The sonography diploma also expands career options.
During the 10-year period, the number of job openings is projected to be 35,300 positions, but this number is likely to go up. As the national healthcare program expands, there is increasing emphasis on using outpatient, non-invasive medical procedures as opposed to surgery or other invasive techniques. Sonographers will be in increasing demand because they can work in all medical settings, do not use hazardous materials during imaging and can play an important role in wellness as well as diagnosing illnesses.
You can find all accredited sonography diploma programs on the website UltrasoundTechnicianCenter.org.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_J_Parmley
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8580632
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