The field of diagnostic medical imaging has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by advances in technology and an aging population. As a result, the demand for skilled sonography professionals has increased, making it an attractive career option for those interested in healthcare. Ivy Tech Community College offers a comprehensive sonography program that prepares students for a successful career in diagnostic medical imaging.
What is Sonography?
Sonography, also known as ultrasound technology, is a diagnostic medical imaging modality that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body's internal structures. Sonographers, or ultrasound technologists, play a critical role in patient care by producing high-quality images that help physicians diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions.
Ivy Tech Sonography Program
Ivy Tech Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography that prepares students for a career in sonography. The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience needed to succeed in this field.
Program Curriculum
The Ivy Tech sonography program curriculum includes both classroom and clinical instruction in the following areas:
- Anatomy and Physiology: Students learn about the structure and function of the human body, including the circulatory, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems.
- Sonography Principles: Students learn about the principles of sonography, including sound waves, frequency, and amplitude.
- Sonography Techniques: Students learn various sonography techniques, including abdominal, obstetric and gynecologic, vascular, and musculoskeletal sonography.
- Patient Assessment: Students learn how to assess patients and prepare them for sonography procedures.
- Sonography Equipment: Students learn about sonography equipment, including transducers, ultrasound machines, and imaging software.
- Clinical Experience: Students participate in clinical internships, where they gain hands-on experience in sonography procedures and patient care.
Program Benefits
The Ivy Tech sonography program offers several benefits, including:
- Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
- Clinical Experience: Students gain hands-on experience in sonography procedures and patient care through clinical internships.
- Job Placement: Graduates of the program are eligible to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certification exam and have excellent job placement rates.
- Transfer Opportunities: Students who complete the AAS degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography may transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree in a related field.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Ivy Tech sonography program can pursue a variety of career opportunities, including:
- Sonographer: Sonographers work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, producing high-quality images of the body's internal structures.
- Sonography Educator: Sonography educators teach sonography students in academic programs and provide continuing education for sonography professionals.
- Sonography Researcher: Sonography researchers conduct studies and gather data on sonography techniques and equipment.
- Sonography Administrator: Sonography administrators manage sonography departments in hospitals and clinics.
Salary and Job Outlook
The salary and job outlook for sonography professionals are excellent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for sonographers was $75,380 in May 2020. The BLS also predicts that employment of sonographers will grow 19% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Conclusion
The Ivy Tech sonography program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience needed to succeed in the field of diagnostic medical imaging. With excellent job placement rates and a strong salary and job outlook, graduates of the program can pursue a variety of career opportunities in sonography.
Gallery of Sonography Images
FAQs
What is sonography?
+Sonography, also known as ultrasound technology, is a diagnostic medical imaging modality that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body's internal structures.
What is the Ivy Tech sonography program?
+The Ivy Tech sonography program is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program that prepares students for a career in diagnostic medical sonography.
What are the career opportunities for sonography professionals?
+Graduates of the Ivy Tech sonography program can pursue a variety of career opportunities, including sonographer, sonography educator, sonography researcher, and sonography administrator.