Ultrasounds help doctors monitor pregnancies and diagnose medical conditions.
A job as a sonographer allows you to help people in the medical field without having to complete years of schooling and many in-depth classes. Graduates of these programs can find jobs with obstetricians, hospitals and other medical offices. Several programs are available for those in Chicago who are looking to enter the field.
PCCTI
With two campuses, one in Chicago, PCCTI is a training institute that offers a diagnostic medical and vascular sonography/ultrasound program. The facility offers up-to-date ultrasound equipment to help students prepare for working in any medical facility. Courses cover anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and sonography. For admission to the cardiology program, students must have an associate's degree in a specific field, such as health, natural science, nursing or engineering. Those who seek American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography accreditation need a bachelor's degree in a health patient-care field.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago offers a clinical program in diagnostic medical sonography. Students must have completed three years towards a bachelor's degree at Benedictine University, Lewis University or Elmhurst College, have earned a complete bachelor's degree from another institution or have completed a two-year degree in a patient-care field to be considered for the program. Upon acceptance, students go through an 18-month program to become a sonographer. The program runs five days a week for eight hours a day, with clinical rotations for hands-on training.
Triton College
For admission to the Triton College sonography program in River Grove, 24 minutes west of Chicago, a student must have completed high school algebra, biology, chemistry and physics. Students choose from two program choices: an associate's degree in diagnostic medical sonography, which requires five semesters, or a diagnostic medical sonography certificate program, taking three semesters to complete. Graduates of the associate's program can work as full-fledged sonographers. The certificate program works well for those who want to cross-train in several areas to become more marketable in the medical field.
Harper College
Students who wish to attend Harper College in Palatine, 41 minutes northwest of Chicago, for a medical sonographer associate's degree must first attend an imaging technology information session to learn more about the program. Prospective students should have completed algebra, biology, chemistry and physics in high school. Enrollment is limited, so it is important to apply as soon as possible. Applicants must also pass an entrance examination.
Tags: have completed, associate degree, bachelor degree, diagnostic medical, medical sonography, must have
