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The ultrasound technology is very helpful in medicine, as it provides doctors with images of the patients’ inner organs.
These images are obtained using sound waves, and they’re mostly used for identifying illnesses or monitoring the results of treatments.
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Employment and Salary
In Georgia, the employment opportunities for ultrasound technicians are expected to grow by 26% by 2026.
The field of sonography has several specialties and the income varies from specialty to specialty.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $75,541 |
| Augusta | $71,004 |
| Columbus | $68,994 |
| Macon | $70,936 |
| Savannah | $71,387 |
| Athens | $75,006 |
| Roswell | $75,256 |
| Warner Robins | $70,722 |
| Albany | $70,197 |
| Alpharetta | $75,149 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 60 | $58,920 | $28.33 | $95,020 | $31,450 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 60 | $73,090 | $35.14 | $99,560 | $50,740 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,310 | $84,460 | $40.6 | $100,920 | $65,180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 140 | $71,900 | $34.57 | $92,930 | $53,150 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 90 | $69,260 | $33.3 | $84,030 | $57,960 |
| Gainesville, GA | 80 | $83,340 | $40.07 | $97,860 | $64,510 |
| Macon, GA | 90 | $65,670 | $31.57 | $93,590 | $39,330 |
| Rome, GA | 40 | $74,620 | $35.88 | $90,500 | $56,920 |
| Savannah, GA | 110 | $76,130 | $36.6 | $89,170 | $63,120 |
| Valdosta, GA | 40 | $67,620 | $32.51 | $78,430 | $59,480 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 40 | $66,300 | $31.87 | $85,900 | $50,270 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Credential Requirement
The State of Georgia doesn’t mandate ultrasound techs to earn a certificate to work in this field.
Choosing to obtain the diploma through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or ARDMS makes a candidate more desirable in the eyes of any employer.
The easiest way of being allowed to take this exam is by first enrolling in a training program that received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Other candidates might find it easier to first work full time for 12 months in a clinic and then sit through the exam.
The educational programs teach students how to use the various devices and also how to interpret the images they obtain.
Clinical experience is also included in these classes, and the hours range from 500 to 1,500, depending on specialty.
Obtaining an associate’s, bachelor’s or masters’ degree is possible in this field, though these programs will be longer.
Physiology, anatomy, patient care, and ethics, medical terminology, and psychology are among the core classes of the field and all specialties will have them.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Altierus Career College | 1750 Beaver Ruin Rd #500, Norcross, GA 30093 |
| Athens Technical College | 800 U.S. Hwy 29 North, Athens, Georgia 30601 |
| Augusta University | 1120 15th St, Augusta, GA 30912 |
| Augusta University | 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904 |
| Chattahoochee Technical College | 980 S Cobb Drive Dr SE, Marietta, Georgia 30060 |
| Columbus Technical College | 928 Manchester Expy, Columbus, Georgia 31904 |
| Darton State College | 2400 Gillionville Rd, Albany, Georgia 31707 |
| Fortis College | 2140 S Cobb Dr, Smyrna, GA 30080 |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | One Maurice Culberson Drive, Rome, Georgia 30161 |
| Georgia Regents University | 1120 Fifteenth St, Augusta, Georgia 30912 |
| Georgia Southern University | 11935 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31419, |
| Grady Health System Professional Schools | 80 Jesse Hill Jr Drive, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College | 621 NW Frontage Rd, Augusta, GA 30907 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College | 175 Tom Hill Sr Blvd, Macon, GA 31210 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College | 1800 Box Rd, Columbus, GA 31907 |
| Ogeechee Technical College | One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd, Statesboro, Georgia 30458 |
Ultrasound Tech Coursework
The ultrasound training programs are among the shortest in the state, as they last for a maximum of 70 credits.
The classes include the following topics:
- Small Parts Sonography
- Abdominal Sonography
- Cross-Sectional Anatomy
- Professional Aspects of Sonography
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Courses
Specialists from this medical field need to have an in-depth anatomy knowledge, and how the body works.
Students will learn about:
- Medical Terminology
- Learning Lab
- Physics and Instrumentation
- Foundations of Sonography
MRI Tech Programs Classes
MRI technology is a pretty new addition to the medical investigation and in high demand.
This type of investigation is not without risks.
Future professionals will study:
- Sectional Anatomy
- Survey of Medical-Surgical Diseases
- Radiation Protection
- Radiographic Positioning
Radiology Tech Coursework
The classes for this field must cover the safety measures, along with the following topics:
- Radiologic Physics and Principles
- Special Imaging
- Methods of Patient Care
- Cross-Sectional Anatomy
Vascular Sonography Coursework
Taking good images of blood vessels can be difficult.
Specific classes to this field include:
- Vascular Clinical Education
- Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation
- Sonography Topics
Echo Tech Programs
These technicians use non-invasive medical methods to take good images of the heart.
Among the classes, students will find:
- Cardiac Pathophysiology
- Introduction to Cardiac Sonography
- Foundations of Cardiovascular Anatomy
- Pediatric Echocardiography
Other Aspects
This field is for those with very good communication skills.
Candidates must also know how to keep good written records.
Some of the students might qualify for scholarships that can help pay the tuition, as most schools would accept these.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound Technicians by State