Utah has a diverse health care industry that is dedicated to meeting the goals of the Affordable Care Act. Ultrasound technologists will play a critical role in ensuring quality health care services are deliverable in Utah. In 2018, the health care industry in Utah will accelerate its efforts to find professionals interested in helping all people access the medical services they need to maintain good health.
How to Become a Sonographer in Utah?
Becoming a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Utah requires completing coursework and doing clinical internships that provide hands-on training and experience with patients. How long it takes to complete the program depends on the ultrasound certificate or degree pursued.
Students will need to meet prerequisites to be eligible for admission to any particular ultrasound program. After completing the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, the final step before looking for employment is to sit for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification exams. Earning the ARDMS credential is critical to increasing employment opportunities and for maximizing starting wages.
Sonography Education in 2018
There are not any schools in Utah with CAAHEP-accredited sonography programs in 2018. However, students can pursue a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography by attending a school in another state or completing an online program.
Study in a Traditional Accredited Ultrasound School
Utah is bordered by the five states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming. Each one of these states has programs accredited by CAAHEP and offering a certificate, an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
The ideal way to find accredited programs in other states is by first visiting Accredited Ultrasound Technician School Directory. The web page offers a complete list of accredited ultrasound technology schools by state and by city. Contact information is also provided to make it simple for students to get more information.
By attending a school in another state, students can earn the certificate or degree that will enable them to pursue ultrasound careers in Utah.
Take an Accredited Online Sonography Training Program
There are also accredited online sonography programs. The CAAHEP lists three schools offering online coursework to earn a certificate or degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. The two schools in 2018 are:
- Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas – Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan – Certificate in Vascular Sonography, Associates Degree in Vascular, Cardiac and General Sonography
- State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri – Associates Degree in Vascular, Cardiac and General Sonography
When selecting an ultrasound technician program, bear in mind that it is possible to choose a program with a general, pediatric cardiac, cardiac or vascular concentration. Not every school offers every concentration, and that can influence the choice of schools. There are so many opportunities to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer that every student should be able to find the right program in the right location offering the right degree.
How About Career Outlook for Sonographers in Utah?
An annual employment growth rate of 44.3 percent in Utah for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers equates to 30 new positions created annually for the years 2014 to 2024. Inexperienced ultrasound technicians can expect to earn an average of $26.10 per hour or $54,300 annually per the statistics. In 2017, the median annual wage was $76,130, and that was higher than the national median rate of $71,410. However, the industry projections for Utah list healthcare as one of the fastest growing sectors and as having the largest projected number of jobs added between now and 2024. One of the facts to take note of is that there is a cluster of cities around Salt Lake City, the largest city in Utah, employing sonographers. For example, Provo is about 45 miles from Salt Lake City, and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in 2017 earn a median salary of $76,100. Ogden is about 38 miles from Salt Lake City, and sonographers earn a median salary of $75,650 in 2017. | See Job Openings
As the national healthcare efforts continue over the coming years, it is likely that Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will find new opportunities in 2019 that were not anticipated at the time the projections were originally developed.
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