One of the largest employers in Delaware is the health care industry.
Ultrasound technicians work in the state’s hospitals, clinics, and private medical offices.
The demand for these professionals is expected to grow as well.
At a national level, an ultrasound tech earns on average $76,367 per year, but in Delaware, the median salary is $80,185 per year.
Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Wilmington | $81,407 |
Dover | $81,283 |
Newark | $81,346 |
Middletown | $81,158 |
Bear | $81,315 |
Hockessin | $81,407 |
Smyrna | $81,193 |
Milford | $81,484 |
Claymont | $81,407 |
Seaford | $79,803 |
Article Table of Contents
Certification Requirements
According to the law in Delaware, the certification for these technicians is not mandatory, however, employers will prefer candidates that do possess a diploma for the field.
Those who wish to obtain a certificate as an ultrasound technician can enroll in educational programs that award an associate or bachelor’s degree.
These programs last between 2 and 4 years, but the training that lasts for a shorter amount of time also exists.
To be accepted, these programs must meet the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines.
To get the diploma, future techs must pass the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination, as this is the most asked credential in this field.
Accumulating 1 year of work experience as an ultrasound technician is another way of qualifying to take the above exam.
Ultrasound Specialties and Training
There are several specialties within the ultrasound medical investigation field.
They use different machines and methods of looking at a patient’s organs, to help doctors decide on a diagnose, monitor pregnancies, or the body’s response to treatment.
In most of these specialties, the technician uses the machine to take pictures of the body part being investigated.
The training program has the following components:
- Common subjects
- Subject-specific to the specialty
- The clinical practice that vary from field to field
- Learning how to use specific machines
Among the common classes, students will find:
- Anatomy
- Physiology,
- Communication,
- Healthcare Ethics,
- English
- Technology
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Delaware Technical Community College | Riverside MAC, Suite 101, 700 West Lea Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802 |
Delaware Technical Community College | 21179 College Drive Owens Campus, Georgetown, DE19947 |
Harris School of Business | 97 Commerce Way Suite 105 Dover, DE 19904 |
Harris School of Business | 1413 Foulk Road, Suite 100 Foulkstone Plaza Wilmington, DE 19803 |
Ultrasound Tech Courses
Ultrasound technology is used for many different purposes, and ultrasound machines can be found in most hospitals and clinics.
Specific classes for this specialty are:
- Survey of Sonography
- General Imaging Sonography
- Sonography Scan Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology
Sonography Tech Coursework
This field is extensively used to help diagnose the patient.
The technicians need to know how to navigate the human body with a special wand.
Their training includes about 1,000 hours of clinical training and the following topics:
- General Imaging Seminar
- Ethics and Medical Law in Sonography
- Health Physics
- Fundamentals of Medical Sonography
MRI Technology Classes
MRI technology is the latest discovery in the sonographic and ultrasound field.
The MRI machine takes many pictures of the same body segment and then creates a 3D image of it.
Students will learn more about:
- Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Imaging Procedures
- Introduction to MRI Technology
- MRI Pathology
Radiology Technology Programs
Xrays play an important part in finding the case of an illness, but safety is important.
For this field, the subjects include:
- Radiographic Theories and Fundamentals
- Introduction to Patient Care for Radiology Technicians
- Radiographic Imaging
- Radiographic Clinical Education
Vascular Sonography Training
Blood vessels can be really small but can cause serious damage.
The technician must be very precise when investigating them.
The classes for this specialty have topics such as:
- Abdominal Vascular Ultrasound
- Advanced Vascular Testing
- Professional Skills in Vascular Sonography
- Vascular Research
Echocardiography Training
When something physical affects the heart, an echocardiograph can help in restoring its health.
In school, future techs will study:
- Echocardiography Principles and Instrumentation
- Echocardiography Clinic
- Sonography Physics
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart
Extra Info
Students from any of these specialties may qualify for a scholarship to help them pay the tuition.
Knowing how to communicate with a variety of people is a strong skill of anyone considering working in the medical field.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Ultrasound Technician