(found 1 school, updated in March 2017)
Oregon offers adventures throughout the state to please every outdoors person. There is the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast, the splendor of Mount Hood, and the breathtaking scenery of the Willamette Valley that entice people to participate in numerous physical activities that include hiking, bicycling and camping. It is not surprising that in 2016 there were many students choosing a career in the health care industry, which was a thriving and important contributor to Oregon’s economy. In 2017, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will find they are key professionals who can help deliver quality health care to residents in cities and non-metropolitan areas as the national health care program expands.
Sonography Education
Students can choose to earn a certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography or a two or four year degree. The diagnostic medical sonography certificate programs are usually designed for people who are already working in a health care field and can prove experience. The Associate’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography or the Bachelor’s Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography are composed of two components – classroom and clinical training. It is very important for students to choose CAAHEP-accredited programs, which ensure students complete the coursework and clinical training needed to pass the ARDMS exams leading to credentials in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Salary and Job Outlook for Sonographers in Oregon
The salary for new or inexperienced Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Portland is $85,950. The salary is higher than the national average of $71,750. However, the highest pay ultrasound technologists earn in Portland in May 2016 was $103,890, whereas the national salary for the top end of the scale was $99,100. Like most states, the city of employment influences wages. Eugene is the next largest city after Portland, and statistics indicate that an ultrasound technologist earns a median salary of $82,330 with a low-high range of $68,570 to $100,760. | See Job Openings
Oregon has many employed Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. As of May 2016 there were 690 positions filled at an average salary of $84,160, meaning many of the positions are close to the top of the state scale. Oregon’s projected job growth for ultrasound technologists for 2014 to 2024 is at 25.7 percent which is approximately 30 average annual openings. Healthcare industry employment is projected to grow by 6.5 percent for the 2014 to 2024 decade. The number of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer positions should grow fast and sonographers have more career choices in ultrasound sonography.
Best Paying Regions in Oregon
Here are the 3 top paying regions in Oregon in terms of annual median wages:
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA: $89,820
- Salem: $89,030
- Eugene: $82,330
Options for Sonography Schooling in 2017
Oregon Institute of Technology
Address: 3201 Campus Drive
Zip: 97601
City: Klamath Falls
Website: www.oit.edu
Contact Person: Robyn Cole (general sonography), Barry Canaday (cardiac sonography) and Christopher Caster (vascular sonography)
Contact Email: robyn.co[email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]
Contact Phone: (541) 885-1918, (541) 885-1929 and (541) 885-1993
Program: Bachelors Degree Programs in General Sonography, Cardiac Sonography and Vascular Sonography
Accreditation: CAAHEP Accredited
Program Length: (4 years)
Program Credits Diagnostic Medical Sonography – 192 credits; Echocardiography – 195 credits; Vascular Technology – 197 credits
Application Deadline: May 8, 2017
Program Start Date: Fall
Main Courses: Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Introduction to Medical Imaging, Medical Terminology, Homan Anatomy and Physiology, Applications of Abdominal Sonography, Pelvic Sonography, Breast Sonography, Musculoskeletal Sonography, Sonographic Pathology, Obstetrical Sonography, Fetal Echo & Neonatal & Pediatric Sonography, Obstetrical Pathology, Physics of Medical Imaging, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Patient Care, Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation, Lab, Externship; Echocardiography – Human Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Medical Imaging, Medical Terminology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Echocardiography, Physics of Medical Imaging, Pathophysiology, Echocardiography, Cardiographic Methods, Invasive Cardiology, Stress and Transesophageal Echo, Pediatric Echocardiography, Cardiopulmonary Patient Management Practices, Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation, Lab, Externship; Vascular Technology – Introduction to Medical Imaging, Medical Terminology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Physics of Medical Imaging, Vascular Anatomy, Pathophysiology, Cerebrovascular Disease, Peripheral Arterial Disease, Peripheral Venous Disease, Abdominal Vascular Disease, Special Circulatory Problems, Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation, Lab, Externship
Estimated Tuition, Fees and Costs: Tuition: $192.77 per credit hour; Matriculation Fee: $300; Health Service Fee: $150 per term; Other costs including building fees, incidental fees, lab fees, books and supplies, background checks and so on
Financial Aid: Grants and loans including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Oregon Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan and Federal Direct Loan Programs; Scholarships including Presidential Scholarship, Klamath County Recognition Scholarship and Oregon Tech Foundation Scholarship
Online Schooling
Oregon has only one CAAHEP accredited sonography program, but that should not stop anyone who wants to become an ultrasound technician. There are two distance education programs accredited by the CAAHEP.
The two schools offering CAAHEP accredited online ultrasound programs for the 2017 school year are:
- Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas – Offers a certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a general, cardiac or vascular concentration
- Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan – Offers a certificate in vascular sonography and an Associate degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a vascular, cardiac or general concentration
Bordering States
Students can also attend school in another state. In fact, Oregon residents have many opportunities to find schools with CAAHEP-accredited sonography programs in the bordering states of California, Idaho, Nevada or Washington. The big selection of programs in the same region as Oregon makes it easier for students to find a school in 2017 that meets their needs.
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