The principal responsibilities of ultrasound technicians involve conducting tests or generating images by operating medical imaging equipment and technology. These images are then used to assist physicians in diagnosing the medical conditions of their patients.

Ultrasound technicians' job duties typically include maintaining and operating diagnostic imaging equipment, analyzing and reviewing diagnostic imaging results, preparing patients for procedures by taking medical history, and recording findings.

New York Ultrasound Technician Schools

Below is a list of New York schools that offer sonography programs aimed at prospective ultrasound technicians. Check out a brief overview of each institution and learn more about their program offerings.

  • Hudson Valley Community College: Serving 13,000 students each semester, Hudson Valley Community College is the second-largest institution of higher learning in the Capital Region of New York state. It offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and has a faculty of over 650 full- and part-time members.

  • LIU Brooklyn: LIU Brooklyn has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio and is one of the top schools for health professional majors. It also offers 250 different academic programs and over $100 million in scholarships every year.

  • New York Medical Career Training Center: The New York Medical Career Training Center is a 2-year private facility that specializes in preparing students for a career in the medical field. Aiming to provide the necessary skills for placement in top hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, and pharmacies, this institution offers fast, affordable, and top-of-the-line classroom experiences.

  • Rochester Institute of Technology: Founded in 1829 as a 4-year not-for-profit private institution, Rochester has a student body of over 15,000 and has been recognized for education quality and value in U.S. News & World Report for over 30 years.

  • Hunter Business School: With a strong focus on practical, hands-on training, the private 2-year Hunter Business school has a student body of under 1000 and offers small class sizes, flexible schedules, and convenient locations.

  • Trocaire College: Founded in 1958, Trocaire College is a private career-oriented Catholic college that offers both Associate and Bachelor degrees with a focus on health care professions. State-of-the-art facilities and laboratories that include computer centers are one of the many perks this institution has to offer.

  • Upstate Medical University: Recognized as the region's largest employer with almost 9,500 employees, Upstate Medical University is the only academic medical center in Central New York. It focuses on the most prevalent human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, and serves 1.8 million people through the associated Upstate University Health System.

  • Western Suffollk BOCES: Western Suffolk BOCES focuses on a comprehensive learning environment, enabling students to learn a variety of trades from administration to mechanical repair to design, as well as the supplementary skills that aim to make a transition to any profession as successful as possible.

What to Expect from New York Sonography Programs

Most sonography degree programs include courses in anatomy, applied sciences, and medical terminology. Coursework over the span of the program will generally depend on the chosen specialty, which can range from breast and abdominal sonography to vascular and cardiovascular sonography. While programs may share some of the same foundational courses, each will likely include more focused classes tailored to the specific specialization.

Here are a few examples of course topics commonly found in sonography degree programs:

  • Doppler Physics
  • Clinical-Diagnostic Sonography
  • Vascular Technology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Instrumentation

In-field clinical components are also common aspects in many programs and require candidates to study under experienced sonographers in a hospital, imaging laboratory, or physician's office while earning institutional credit.

New York Ultrasound Technician Licensing and Certification

Although New York does not legally require the formal licensing of ultrasound technicians, certification is a significant part of any prospective sonographer's resume. In most cases, employers will prefer hiring professionally certified diagnostic imaging employees, due in part to many insurance companies and Medicare typically only covering procedures conducted by certified technicians. Certification is offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Credentialing International and is recognized nationally.

Gaining certification requires candidates to pass an exam as well as graduate from an accredited program. Many employers additionally prefer hiring graduates of sonography schools that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

There are many different certification specialties for sonographers to choose from, such as cardiovascular sonography or vascular sonography, both of which are offered by the CCI. ARDMS offers certifications in concentrations like breast, abdomen, and pediatric sonography, as well as vascular and musculoskeletal sonography. Many sonographers have at least one certification in a specialty, but earning multiple certifications is also common.

Resources for Ultrasound Technicians in New York

Sources:

  1. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2016-17 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm, accessed October 2, 2016
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Metro Areas Rated for Popularity for:
Sonographers

Listed below are metro areas ranked by the popularity of jobs for Sonographers relative to the population of the city. Salary data was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov

Metro Area
Jobs
Annual Median Salary
Syracuse190$73,380
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls240$77,810
Rochester410$72,800
Utica-Rome140$76,030
Binghamton80$80,570
Albany-Schenectady-Troy290$72,550

Sources:

1.
Dr. Dorothy Miller, Argosy University, interview with the author July 13, 2015
2.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Registered Nurses, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm
3.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, 2014, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

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