Diagnostic medical sonographers, sometimes referred to as ultrasound technicians, use ultrasonic imaging equipment to produce pictures that may be for diagnosing medical conditions. Sonographers may work under the supervision of physicians in hospitals, clinics, private medical practices, governmental agencies, or other health care facilities. Because they interact with patients during diagnostic procedures, they must have strong interpersonal as well as technical skills.

Ultrasound Technician Schools in Ohio

Ohio has multiple schools throughout the state that offer either a diploma, certificate, associate degree, program or bachelor's degree program in diagnostic medical sonography. Here are brief summaries of those programs.

  • Bowling Green State University: The Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program at BGSU is a 24-month program that results in an associate degree. The program includes both in-class coursework and a clinical internship component that runs throughout the program. Applicants must complete prerequisite courses in English composition, math, physics, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology before acceptance into the program.
  • Cincinnati State Technical and Community College: The program at Cincinnati State confers an associate degree and typically takes three years to complete. Participants complete a year of prerequisite coursework before applying for selective admission to the DMS program in their second year. Participants may pursue cardiac/vascular or abdominal/obstetric/gynecological sonography tracks.
  • Central Ohio Technical College: COTC's DMS program results in an associate of applied science degree and typically takes two years to complete. Like many AAS programs, however, this school's program requires that students complete courses in medical terminology, math and physics before they can be accepted into the program.
  • Cuyahoga Community College: The AAS degree program at Tri-C includes specialty tracks in echocardiography, vascular technology and abdominal/obstetric/gynecological sonography.
  • Kettering College: The DMS program at this school is a four-year bachelor of science program in abdominal sonography, OB/GYN sonography, echocardiography or vascular technology. Admission is selective, and applicants must complete all prerequisite courses before they apply to the sonography program.
  • Mercy Medical Center: The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Mercy Medical Center in Canton is a hospital-based, 12-month program that offers a diploma in ultrasound. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for certification exams.
  • Ohio State University: The Department of Radiologic Science and Therapy at OSU offers a four-year bachelor's degree program in DMS designed to prepare graduates for professional certification.
  • University of Findlay: This program offers three different specialty tracks, as well as program options that culminate in a bachelor of science degree, an associate of arts degree, or a certificate of achievement.

What to Expect from Sonography Schools in Ohio

Participants in sonography programs should expect to receive hands-on clinical training, as well as coursework in a range of science, technology, and general education subjects, including:

  • Biology
  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Terminology
  • Communications
  • English Composition

Diagnostic medical sonography programs are typically selective, and the admissions process is competitive. Some schools may require that applicants complete significant prerequisite coursework before applying to the sonography program.

Ohio Ultrasound Technician License

Ohio does not have a requirement that sonographers be licensed to work in the state, but in order to qualify for employment and practice professionally, sonographers must be certified. The Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) certification is administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) for graduates of programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Graduates of accredited programs who have completed a clinical internship may sit for certification exams.

Resources for Ultrasound Technicians in Ohio

Sources:

  1. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Bowling Green State University, http://www.firelands.bgsu.edu/majors-programs/diagnostic-medical-sonography.html
  2. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, http://www.cincinnatistate.edu/academics/degrees-and-certificates/diagnostic-medical-sonography-cardiovascular
  3. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Central Ohio Technical College, http://www.cotc.edu/Academics/Pages/DMS -- -Additional-Information-.aspx
  4. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cuyahoga Community College, http://www.tri-c.edu/programs/health-careers/diagnostic-medical-sonography/index.html
  5. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Kettering College, http://kc.edu/academics/sonography-ultrasound/programs-goals-outcomes-technical-standards/
  6. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Mercy Medical Center, https://www.cantonmercy.org/sonography
  7. Radiologic Science and Therapy, Ohio State University, https://hrs.osu.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/radiologic-science-and-therapy
  8. Diagnostic Medical Sonography, University of Findlay, https://www.findlay.edu/healthprofessions/sonography/
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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
Columbus410$68,990
Lima60$63,240
Springfield30$66,810
Akron200$67,220
Cleveland-Elyria640$69,150
Canton-Massillon100$59,260
Toledo150$61,990
Dayton280$76,490

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