In North Dakota, oil extraction and a relatively low population point to high employment.
The job outlook for ultrasound technicians is positive, thus now being a good time to consider entering this profession.
These technicians use special machines to take pictures of their patient’s organs, for diagnosing or treatment purposes.
Article Table of Contents
Salary Expectations
Ultrasound technicians can specialize in many different areas.
This means their salary can depend on the specialization, but not only.
The median salary in North Dakota is similar to that at the national level.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Fargo | $71,647 |
Bismarck | $71,182 |
Grand Forks | $66,699 |
Minot | $70,036 |
West Fargo | $71,647 |
Williston | $70,036 |
Dickinson | $70,036 |
Mandan | $71,182 |
Jamestown | $70,269 |
Wahpeton | $70,502 |
Regional Salary in North Dakota
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bismarck, ND | 60 | $78,150 | $37.57 | $96,030 | $66,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Certification Requirements
Those who want to enter the ultrasound field in North Dakota, need a license.
Usually, this is obtained with an application, paying a fee, and filing the required documents.
The license is valid for 2 years.
They can obtain a certification after passing the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.
To take this exam, it’s necessary to complete a training course, at an accredited institution.
This is the main requirement to be met, and the once chosen most often by a majority of candidates, however other methods do exist.
Degrees such as Associate’s and Bachelor’s are available to these students if they’re willing to spend 2 or 4 years studying.
Certificates and diplomas are awarded to those who want to start working as soon as possible.
Their education will last for around 1 year.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Minot State University | 500 University Ave W, Minot, ND 58707 |
North Dakota State University | 1340 Administration Ave, Fargo, ND 58105 |
Sanford Medical Center | 3148 Fiechtner Dr S Fargo, ND 58103 |
University of Jamestown | 6000 College Ln, Jamestown, ND 58405, |
University of Mary | 7500 University Dr, Bismarck, ND 58504 |
Ultrasound Tech Courses
For this field of expertise, the candidates have to be familiar with the following subjects:
- Clinical Sonography
- Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound
- Ultrasound Equipment
- Anatomy and Physiology
Courses Offered in Sonography Programs
Many people mistake ultrasound and sonography technologies, but they use different types of machines.
Some of the subjects for this field are:
- Sectional Anatomy
- Legal Aspects of Healthcare
- Diagnostic Imaging Fundamentals
- Medical Imaging in Healthcare
MRI Tech Coursework
Those who want to work with the latest technologies should have classes like these:
- Radiography Clinical Education
- Imaging Procedures
- Introduction to Radiologic Sciences and Healthcare
- Principles of Medical Imaging
Vascular Sonography Classes
The precision needed to investigate small veins and structures around them is usually taught in school.
As such, these are some of the topics covered during the training:
- Peripheral Vascular Procedures
- Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound
- Vascular Physics and Hemodynamics
- Venous Ultrasound
Radiology Tech Coursework
Radiology can be used in several medical settings, thus giving many career options.
The training will include topics such as:
- Radiographic Procedures with Laboratory Experience
- Radiation Protection
- Medical Ethics
- Pharmacology for Radiographers
Coursework Requirements in Echo Tech Programs
Helping discovering what is wrong with a patient’s heart is what echo techs do.
They need to learn more about subjects like:
- Cardiac Principles and Testing
- Echocardiography
- Patient Care for Imaging Professionals
- Noninvasive Vascular Testing
Extra Information
Each of the above fields has further specializations and those seeking to improve their skills in a specific niche can significantly increase their income as well.
Clinics and hospitals are the main employers for all these professionals, though other settings do exist.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Ultrasound Technician