Looking to get into Ultrasound Tech.

ek9cusco · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: SJ - California

I've search around and was refered to this forum from a Radiologist that works with my bro in the hospital.

I live in California (northern CA to be exact) and wasn't able to find any school nearby that offers that. One I did find is a long commute for me, which I'm willing to live with the high gas price.

However, I understand that this program requires extensive hands-on training, so the school I found need applicants that are willing to do full time 40hr week.

I'm a single income parent and currently working. It just feels like the chance of me getting into Ultrasound Tech is very slim. Sad

I saw some online program offering, but i don't think they are accredited for me to take my license later on, thus waste of money.

Also, this school requires some of the pre-req to be min. of 2yrs of a certain program and some even require 2yr of radiology tech course. so i'll be looking at a 4yr program then.

Can someone give me some pointers?

Thanks,
Ray
_________________
newbie looking for help and advise to change careers from semiconductor industry to healthcare industry.

hjhogle · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject:

THere is no healthcare profession which requires hands-on skills which will allow you to train online or without a *significant* investment in hands-on training.

Do you want your neurosurgeon to learn his surgery skills online or from a book prior to your operation?

You will not be able to become a sonographer without spending quite a bit of time in a clinical environment scanning patients.

I went to the CAAHEP site (Commision on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs - they're the ones who actually accredit programs in CVT, RT, RDMS, etc). Did a search for Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs and found 7 accredited programs in CA.

Cypress College - Cypress, CA
Foothill College - Los Altos Hills, CA
Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences - Richmond, CA
Loma Linda University - Loma Linda, CA
Merced College - Merced, CA
Orange Coast College - Costa Mesa, CA

There are other programs out there. But they are not accredited by CAAHEP. Although some sonographers will tell you that doesn't matter, the time is coming when certification by someone like ARDMS will be required to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer.

Good luck, whatever you decide.
hjh, RT

ek9cusco · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 3 Location: SJ - California

hjhogle · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject:

From my earlier posting -

"There is no healthcare profession which requires hands-on skills which will allow you to train online or without a *significant* investment in hands-on training.

Do you want your neurosurgeon to learn his surgery skills online or from a book prior to your operation?

You will not be able to become a sonographer without spending quite a bit of time in a clinical environment scanning patients. "

While you might be able to do some academic requirements online, you will not be able to train as a sonographer online.

hjh, RT

flmiata · Joined: 28 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

you could always try Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences:

http://onlineimaging.fhchs.edu/

they have both Rad and Dms online, accrediated programs. My sister loved the experience she had in the Rad program.