Ultrasound Technician Schools in California (Top Sonography Programs)

There are many specialties that ultrasound technicians can work in, and the demand for these professionals is strong in California.

They play a very important role in diagnosing patients, and this means that the ideal candidate should know how to communicate.

Ultrasound Technician Salary

There are a series of factors influencing the salary of this technician, with experience and type of certification being the most important.

Additionally, the best places to work for are the general medical and surgical facilities, if you want a better income.

Speaking another language can also increase your chances of getting hired and your paycheck.

Regional Salary in California

Certification Requirements

At a state level, ultrasound technicians don’t need a certification to carry out their duties, however, employers are likely to prefer those who received a diploma from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

The easiest way of receiving certification is by enrolling in an accredited training program.

These vary in duration, and they can also award different credentials: certificates, diplomas, associate’s and even bachelor’s degrees.

Most training programs also include clinical practice, between 500 and 1,600 hours.

These programs are not free of charge, but student loans and scholarships are available to those who qualify.

At the end of any of the programs, students are expected to take an exam and to pass it, and after that, they receive their credentials.

The test can be modified for the following specialties:

• Abdomen
• Breast
• Fetal Echocardiography
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pediatric Sonography

Those who can’t enroll in any program can also accumulate 12 months of actual work experience and then sit through the exam.

Course Requirements

There are certain topics that sonographers need to study, depending on the field they want to operate in.

Ultrasound Tech Training

The ultrasound, or sonographer, technicians can monitor various parts of the body.

They need to study:

• Introduction to Ultrasound Physics
• Pelvic Sonography
• Neonatal Sonography
• Obstetrical Sonography
• Sonography Physics
• Abdomen Scanning
• Cross-Sectional Imaging
• Ethical Choices in Healthcare

MRI Tech Training

MRI techs work with the latest technologies and machines created to investigate body parts.

The purpose is to take as many pictures as possible and recreate a 3D image of the patient’s organ.

Future professionals need to learn about:

• Applied Radiographic Technology
• Principles of MRI Technology
• Introduction to Radiation Science Technologies

Radiology Tech Training

Radiology is closest related to MRI.

For this specialty, students need to learn about:

• Venipuncture
• Radiographic Pathology
• Fundamentals of Radiographic Imaging
• Ethics in Medical Imaging

Echo Tech Training

Echocardiographers need to take good images of the patient’s heart, and they need to study among others:

• Patient Preparation for an EKG
• Cardiovascular Anatomy
• EKG Interpretation
• Echocardiography

Vascular Sonography Training

This specialty is more precise than the previous ones, as the technician needs to take pictures of the blood vessels.

Students have to learn about:

• Vascular Technology
• Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
• Topics in Medical Sonography
• Ethics and Healthcare

Extra Information

Depending on their previous education, not all candidates may be accepted in all specialties.

The educational programs above will also include subjects like math, science, medical terminology, and anatomy.

It could be a good idea to start with a shorter program, to enter the field faster, and then later to choose a specialty.

Ultrasound Technicians by State