Ultrasound Technician Schools and Programs in Kansas

Ultrasound machines are used for examining the inside of a patient's body without having to physically penetrate the skin. Thanks to sonography, medical professionals can get a detailed look at the heart, blood vessels, prostate, abdomen, breasts, and female reproductive system. Increasingly, ultrasound is also being leveraged to catch and treat vascular disease, heart disease, and other major ailments before they become lethal.

Students in ultrasound technician programs learn how to use these machines to send high-frequency sounds through patients' bodies and make sense of the results. If you enjoy technology and love helping others, this could be a great career path.

Kansas Ultrasound Technician Schools

Before considering any sonography schools in Kansas, students should make sure they are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). All three of the institutions below meet this important standard:

• Labette Community College: Before being eligible for their Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, students must be an ARRT (or registry eligible) or have at least an associate degree in a health science program from an accredited institution that involved direct patient care. Applicants must have also passed college algebra with at least a "C" grade.
  
  
• University of Kansas Medical Center: After 18 months (five academic semesters), graduates of KU's ultrasound program receive their certification and have the advantage of having worked directly with patients at the Kansas University Medical Center campus in Kansas City.
  
  
• Washburn University: The faculty at Washburn has more than 70 years of experience in the ultrasound field, and students can take their Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program online.

Upon graduating from one of these programs, most students are ready for the workforce. However, many decide to pursue ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) certification beforehand.

What to Expect from Kansas Sonography Programs

Sonography degree programs help prepare graduates to work as ultrasound technicians by giving them direct experience with the most advanced sonography machines and real-world experience working with actual patients. While programs may share the same set of foundational courses, specific curriculum will differ depending on the program specialization.

Below are some examples of the types of courses students may take on their path to earning a sonography degree:

• Sonographic Sectional Human Anatomy
• Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
• Gynecologic Sonography
• Vascular Technology

As we mentioned above, most programs also include actual patient care. This serves as both a means of instruction and a way of testing a student's abilities.

Kansas Ultrasound Technician Licensing and Certification

Though it's not required, many ultrasound technicians take the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) exam through the ARDMS. To be eligible, applicants need a degree in ultrasound technology and a transcript that shows they completed 60 hours of coursework and clinical education.

Sonography graduates may also have an easier time beginning their career if they are registered with an accredited medical organization like the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). However, on top of an ultrasound technology credential, this requires a degree in one of the following:

• Radiography
• Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Radiation Therapy

Note that in order to be eligible for certification and registration by the ARRT, professionals need to apply within three years of graduating from an accredited institution such as the ones listed above. This used to be a five-year rule, but it's been modified in recent years.

Resources for Ultrasound Technicians in Kansas

The ARDMS website contains a wealth of information for prospective ultrasound professionals, and includes valuable resources like:

• How To Apply Guide
• Clinical Verification Forms
• Application Submission Checklist

The entire website is worth going through. Aside from the resources directly related to your education, there is also great information about preparing for a career as an ultrasound technician.