At Caris College, we offer accredited sonography courses in Indiana. Over the course of the program, you will study anatomy and physiology, receive training on specialized equipment, and learn how to scan and produce diagnostic images. Start your new career as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in as little as fifteen months.
When we hear the term ultrasound, we typically associate it with pregnancy. However, ultrasound technology can be used to examine other parts of the body as well. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a type of medical imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound), to produce images of organs, tissues and blood flow. The imagery has proved to be especially useful in the heart and blood vessels. More and more, we see sonography being used to help detect common heart issues, from heart disease to early signs of a stroke or heart attack.
The field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, as well as the technology used in the field, has grown significantly over the past three decades. With an increased number of procedures being done with ultrasound, it is the Sonographer’s job to adapt the ultrasound technology to the specific procedure, inform the patient, produce and interpret the images. Sonographers also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular field. While obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound is the most common in the field, others may choose to specialize in neurological (brain), breast, cardiac, musculoskeletal, vascular, or abdominal sonography.
Why become a sonographer? The field has seen major growth in the last few years (about a 44 percent increase in demand) and is expected to continue in the future. With employment opportunities in both urban and rural areas, there are various places for technologists to work, although typically these areas of employment include clinics, hospitals, private physician offices, and imaging centers. According to the 2018 Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Salary and Benefit Survey Report, the base salary for sonographers is $73,133 annually, but factors such as accreditation and location may also affect the pay scale.