How to become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

How did you become an ultrasound tech? / diagnostic medical sonographer?

• I am doing all my research for this job. I am lost on where to start though if you have any information on how to get started/ schools you went to i would appreciate this very much. I ...show more

• Answer:

  Go to the CAAHEP website - they have a list of all the schools with DMS/Echo/Vascular programs that are accredited by CAAHEP. Once you find schools in your state (assuming you're staying in state), then do your research on these programs. Call the director for an appointment to meet with him/her. Let them know you're interested in pursuing a career in Sono and would like to sit down with them to talk about the admissions process and the program itself. Generally speaking though, you would need to have taken college level Physics and A&P, but programs vary. Why? Because some are Associate programs (college degree), some are Bachelor programs (college degree) and some are Diploma programs (which may require a prior college degree). Most of the sonographers I know went to a trade school for Sono; even 20-30 years ago, most of the DMS programs were trade school only. You have to make sure the school is accredited otherwise it's not worth your time. I live in NY and there's only 2 (I believe) programs that are college degree programs and are VERY difficult to get into. A lot of facilities prefer an employee who has a Bachelor degree and even more important is that you have your RDMS (or RDCS or RVT). Doesn't matter where you got your degree or diploma from (as long as it was accredited) but you need to have your Registry done (or be eligible to take it).