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Mississippi is probably known for the river bordering it.
The state has been investing in its healthcare system, and nowadays most medical facilities across the state use digital technologies.
The demand for ultrasound technicians is growing slowly, making this a good career path to consider entering.
These professionals help doctors diagnose their patients or to monitor them through treatments or pregnancies.
This field of medical investigation has several specializations and these influence how much the technician earns.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $68,297 |
| Gulfport | $67,149 |
| Southaven | $70,662 |
| Biloxi | $67,684 |
| Hattiesburg | $66,729 |
| Tupelo | $64,423 |
| Olive Branch | $70,484 |
| Meridian | $67,673 |
| Greenville | $67,890 |
| Horn Lake | $70,626 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 50 | $68,140 | $32.76 | $78,690 | $59,630 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 50 | $65,260 | $31.38 | $77,150 | $54,910 |
| Jackson, MS | 200 | $72,700 | $34.95 | $82,180 | $53,790 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Becoming Certified
Legally, no ultrasound technician is required to have a license but most employers will prefer hiring who has at least a certificate in this field.
The easiest way of earning this credential is by enrolling in a medical sonography program that received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health.
When the training program is completed, the students are eligible to take the ARDMS exam and only if they pass they’ll receive a certificate.
Their certification is recognized across the nation.
The exam is held at the Pearson Vue testing centers.
These programs can help the technician to become further specialized, like becoming a vascular ultrasound technician or fetal echocardiography technician.
Depending on how far you want to advance in your career, you can also strive to obtain an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.
Pathophysiology and ultrasound physics are among the topics students will have to learn about.
Additionally, they can’t graduate without completing 6 months of clinical training.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blue Cliff College | 12251 Bernard Pkwy, Gulfport, MS 39503, |
| Hinds Community College | 1750 Chadwick Drive Jackson, MS 39204 |
| Itawamba Community College | 602 W Hill Street, Fulton, Mississippi 38843 |
| Jones County Junior College | 900 South Court Street, Ellisville, Mississippi 39437 |
It’s important to know that there are other organizations that award certifications in this field:
- Cardiovascular Credentialing International,
- The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
These certifications are issued only after passing an exam.
To take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the candidate has to accumulate a minimum of 800 hours of clinical training.
The tests to obtain the certification will cover topics such as:
- general ultrasound principles,
- patient care,
- breast sonography,
- neurosonography.
Some programs are not accredited, and this means the candidate will have to meet additional requirements.
These are:
- Completing an internship at an approved medical facility – at least 60 credit hours
- Accumulating 12 months of employment
The certification has to be renewed every 2 years.
This can only be done if the technician completes 24 credits of continuing education courses before the deadline.
Extra Information
It’s possible that different employers will have different criteria to meet, especially when it comes to education and diploma.
Ultrasound technicians use their skills and special equipment to take images of or record data of the person’s organs.
These images and data are needed by doctors to decide upon a diagnose, monitor the body’s response to treatment, and more.
Some of the procedures are non-invasive, while others pose serious risks to both patients and medical personnel conducting the investigation.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound Technicians by State