Ultrasound Technician Schools in California

Guide to California Ultrasound & Sonographer Degree Programs

If you are thinking about a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer, you had better be ready for a fast paced career with plenty of patient contact.  Some qualities you must possess to become successful as an ultrasound technician are an interest in helping others, good listening skills, technical skills, ability to focus on a task, keen eyesight, patience, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.  The main focus of a career in sonography is to interact with patients, collect relevant data, and perform ultrasounds to gather images that are used by physicians to help make diagnoses. A sonographer’s job will also likely include tasks such as scheduling patients, maintaining ultrasound equipment, and ordering routine supplies for the equipment.

In the state of California training programs for ultrasound technicians can range in duration from one to four years.  Sonographers who want to advance their careers in this field will require ongoing educational training to keep up with the rapid changes in the technology used to perform ultrasound testing.  Ultrasound technicians can specialize in performing diagnostic testing on specific parts of the anatomy.  Common specialty areas include the abdomen, the breasts, the female reproductive system, or the vascular system.  To further establish credentials as a diagnostic medical sonographer, many professionals in this career will chose to go through a rigorous certification process to become a registered diagnostic medical or cardiac sonographer.

Accredited training programs in California will be able to offer financial aid packages to qualified students.  Many schools will help prospective students fill out financial aid applications and even assist in finding programs to obtain the necessary funding to pay for courses.

California Ultrasound & Sonographer Job Outlook and Salary

Thankfully, for those interested in becoming an ultrasound technician, this is a field with an expected rate of growth that is much higher than that of non-health related occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a 19 percent increase in employment opportunities for ultrasound technicians and sonographers through the year 2016.  Diagnostic medical sonographers can find full and part-time employment in a variety of settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, public clinics, and mobile imaging services.

An ultrasound technologist in California can expect to earn somewhere between $64,000 and $89,000 depending on years of experience, degree achieved, and the employment setting.   Those working in the more populated areas such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego can expect to earn a higher salary as compared to sonographers working in more rural areas. Full time ultrasound technicians typically receive excellent benefits packages, including vacation, retirement, disability, and healthcare benefits. Sonographers can also expect to have options when it comes to work hours, although the average full-time employee will work around 40 hours per week.  Ultrasound technicians working in hospital settings may be asked to work on rotating shifts, evenings, and/or weekends.