There are various program in and outside New York City where you can train to be an ultrasound technician.
Get training as an ultrasound technician, also called a diagnostic medical sonographer, in the state of New York. You can specialize within the field as a cardiac or vascular diagnostic medical sonographer, if you wish. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these professionals have an average salary of $60,000 per year.
Instructions
1. Decide which type of ultrasound technician you want to be. There are cardiac, general and vascular technicians.
Contact clinics and hospitals to shadow a technician for a day or part of a day to understand the job function, typical hours and work environment.
2. Choose a training program. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs website lists all the accredited programs in the state of New York. Schools offering programs in diagnostic medical sonography include New York University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hudson Valley Community College, Long Island University, the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center and the Western Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
3. Learn about the educational requirements for the program before starting school. For instance, the certificate program at Long Island University only requires that students have a high school diploma before starting the program. On the other hand, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, which offers a bachelor's degree, has more extensive requirements. Pre-requisites for SUNY Downstate Medical Center include anatomy and physiology I and II with labs, general chemistry I with a lab and various other courses. Check if your program requires CPR training.
4. Get shots and a physical exam before you start the program. Many hospitals and clinics require shots for illnesses such as Hepatitis B. Even if your program does not require that you do this before classes begin, it is best to do so anyway in case you have a bad reaction to the vaccination or your physical exam uncovers some health problem which prevents you from entering the program.
5. Enroll in a program like the diagnostic medical sonographer program at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York if you want to get a certificate. This school has a specialized program for those interested in vascular and cardiac diagnostic medical sonography. The program lasts 12 months, and graduates earn a certificate.
Matriculate into a program like the one at SUNY Downstate Medical Center or Rochester Institute of Technology if you want to obtain a bachelor's degree and do not mind spending the extra time in school.
6. Complete all your coursework, including labs and clinical internships, if required.
7. Obtain certification by taking an examination administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. You can apply, get testing materials and find a testing center on the organization's website. New York does not require licensing for ultrasound technicians, but your job prospects may improve if you are certified.
Tags: diagnostic medical, Downstate Medical, Downstate Medical Center, Medical Center, SUNY Downstate, SUNY Downstate Medical
