Having in mind the fact that diagnostic medical sonography is a rapidly growing healthcare profession, there are many reasons why you can start considering it a good career choice for yourself or your children.
These reasons include high salary, short education and training period, and high job availability, as well as a stable career after graduation.
Sonographers do much more than just imaging internal organs as they need to cooperate with other members of the healthcare team and their patients and evaluate the images they capture.
In order to be successful in the field, you will need more than just technical knowledge, so it is suggested that you attend a sonography program available throughout Colorado which is home to many two-year and four-year colleges with diagnostic medical sonography programs.
A new career in medical imaging can be achieved by obtaining your degree at an accredited program, which is designed to give you the knowledge which will make you competitive over other job candidates.
We have included all the data you need so as to learn how to become a sonographer in Colorado and we believe that it can help you meet your long-term career goals.
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Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Colorado
The primary accrediting body for sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
So that a school can become accredited by CAAHEP, it has to meet the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines.
This includes passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit.
By gaining accreditation, the school has proof that it provides high-quality education to its students who prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.
Why is it important to finish a recognized and accredited Colorado DMS program?
Well, this is one of the ways to earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam.
The students should think about passing both of these exams, being that they will allow them to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
Another reason why you should enroll in a CAAHEP accredited program is that you become eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo semi-annual $1,000 scholarship.
The following school offers sonography programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as of August 2020 and students can enroll in an Associate’s degree or certificate in diagnostic medical imaging.
The University of Colorado Hospital – At this school, you can enroll in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program of Denver which offers a unique hospital-based structure.
It is a one year accelerated program and during these studies, students will be provided with an advanced didactic curriculum and will be exposed to a high volume of ultrasound exams.
Most degree programs are completed within two years, and you will be able to earn an Associate’s Degree.
You can also go to school longer and receive a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.
This kind of advanced education is usually for individuals who wish to advance their career and increase their salary.
Most programs have a similar starting curriculum that includes courses like Anatomy and Physiology, Communication, Healthcare Ethics, English, and Technology.
Furthermore, students will attend courses that are specific to the route you choose and some of the things they will choose are how to operate the equipment and technology they will be using and the specific tasks they will be performing.
Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Colorado
Even though Colorado does not require ultrasound technicians to receive licensure or certification, the majority of employers do require or prefer professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) when hiring ultrasound technicians.
In order to be eligible to take the ARDMS exam, you must meet their prerequisites, meaning that you need to graduate from a CAAHEP accredited school.
The second way to qualify for the exam is 12 months of full-time clinical experience.
Applicants must apply online, pay all fees, and submit all of the required documentation by the deadline provided in order for ARDMS to determine eligibility.
Documentation required with the application is the following:
- Copy of an official transcript from a two-year allied health education program
- Copy of education program certificate, certification, or license.
- Letter from a supervising physician, ARDMS-Registered sonographer/technologist, or the educational program director indicating a minimum of 12 months of full-time clinical/ vascular experience.
- Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each appropriate specialty area(s).
- Copy of non-expired government-issued photo identification (ID) with signature.
Once you meet the prerequisites, you can earn professional certification by the ARDMS if you take and pass their exam.
There are many testing locations throughout Colorado listed below:
- 1259 Lake Plaza Dr #245, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- 4251 Kipling St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
- 5660 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80111
- 4290 W 10th St, Greeley, CO 80634
Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In Colorado
Gaining education and certification is just the first step towards your new career.
The next important thing is finding a satisfying job, which should not be such a big problem.
CareerOneStop predicts that job availability for ultrasound technicians will increase by 45.6% in the years to come.
Furthermore, you would like to have a stable salary and you can expect that the average annual salary for sonographers in Colorado is $78906, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
However, conditions in your area may vary, as the salary you earn depends on a number of factors.
These include the level of education and experience, geographic location, and type of employer.
You should have in mind that outpatient care centers tend to pay the most while larger imaging centers and hospitals also tend to offer competitive benefit programs in addition to the base salary.
All these factors can affect which facility you will choose to work in.
The difference in salaries among various types of sonographers in Colorado:
- Ultrasound Technician Salary in Colorado – 46% expected job growth by 2026, $81,450 per year
- Vascular Sonographer Salary in Colorado – 47% expected job growth, $71,410 per year
- MRI Technologist Salary in Colorado — 27% expected job growth, $78,060 per year
- Cardiac Sonographer Salary in Colorado – 47% expected job growth, $71,410 per year
- Radiology Tech Salary in Colorado — 25% expected job growth, $63,750 per year
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Ultrasound Technicians in Colorado
City Name Salary Denver $77,991 Colorado Springs $76,757 Aurora $77,939 Castle Rock $76,774 Fort Collins $75,076 Arvada $77,991 Pueblo $71,521 Westminster $77,991 Boulder $79,125 Thornton $77,991 Regional Salary in Colorado
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Boulder, CO ** $106,280 $51.1 $126,880 $92,020 Colorado Springs, CO 230 $95,820 $46.07 $114,700 $82,430 Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO 780 $99,540 $47.86 $120,850 $80,920 Fort Collins, CO 130 $101,280 $48.69 $122,210 $85,460 Grand Junction, CO 50 $90,590 $43.55 $112,020 $68,840
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
