Ultrasound Technician Schools in Kentucky (Become a Sonographer)

If you want to get informed about the career of a sonographer, we are here to help you.

As an ultrasound technologist, you will need to be able to utilize imaging equipment for ultrasound and sonograms, meet patients’ needs, and assist with the diagnosis of medical conditions.

This means that not everyone can become a sonographer, as you will need to complete certain courses, such as medical terminology and physiology before you even enroll in the college sonography program.

You can choose between an associate’s degree in ultrasonography, which requires two years of coursework, and a bachelor’s degree in ultrasound technology, which requires four years of coursework.

Subjects may include ultrasound physics, vascular ultrasound, and pathophysiology.

You will also need to complete about six months of clinical training before you can graduate.

If you think that you can meet all the above-mentioned requirements, then you are ready to start your journey towards a lucrative and rewarding career as a sonographer in Kentucky.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Kentucky

Accreditation is the first thing that you need to pay attention to when choosing a degree program for yourself or your child.

When a school becomes accredited, it means that it has demonstrated the ability to pass a series of guidelines and program reviews.

The primary accrediting body for sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

If a school you have chosen for your future education is accredited by CAAHEP, it has actually met their DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines and can provide high-quality education to you.

One of the reasons why you should successfully complete a recognized Kentucky DMS program is that students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam.

In case you pass both of their exams, you will be allowed to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.

Furthermore, currently enrolled or accepted students to a CAAHEP accredited program are also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo semi-annual $1,000 scholarship.

These are Kentucky schools that have been accredited by CAAHEP and offer degrees or certificates in diagnostic medical sonography:

• Hazard Community and Technical College – One Community College Drive Hazard, KY 41701
• Morehead State University – 316 West 2nd Street CHER 210H Morehead, KY 40351
• West Kentucky Community and Technical College – 4810 Alben Barkley Drive Paducah, KY 42001

Kentucky’s colleges are doing their best to meet the needs of modern students, so they offer ultrasound technology programs that will help prepare you for a successful career in the medical field both online and on-site.

Furthermore, medical centers across Kentucky are continuing to grow as sonography technology and new techniques develop and they are in constant need of skilled and certified sonographers.

How long your education will last depends on which level of education you want to reach.

You will need one year to earn a certificate, two years to earn an Associate’s degree, or four years to earn a Bachelor’s degree.

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Kentucky

Even though Kentucky does not require that diagnostic medical sonographers have a specific license or certificate, more and more people decide to get on.

This is due to the fact that many states are discussing moving towards requiring certification and employers tend to give preference to certified sonographers.

So, certification is something to consider if you want to stand out from other potential job candidates.

The most highly regarded certification is provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

If you are ready to earn ARDMS certification, you can do this by taking and passing their exam.

Only qualified people who meet their prerequisites will be allowed to sit for the exam.

You can take the exam at one of the two testing locations in Kentucky:

• 9400 Bunsen Pkwy #220, Louisville, KY 40220
• 2720 Old Rosebud Rd, Lexington, KY 40509

The American Registry for Diagnostic-Medical Sonographers offers this examination that covers various subjects, including proper communication, protection techniques, and record keeping.

Once you are ready to apply for an ARDMS examination, you should log in to MY ARDMS and choose Apply Online under the Application Center.

Then, you need to complete the online application form and submit payment.

It is important to gather the required supporting documentation and submit it within 21 days of applying online by uploading it into your MY ARDMS account.

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In Kentucky

Sonography is becoming increasingly popular because of the high salary, short education and training period, and the fact that job availability is expected to increase by 19.1% by 2026 in Kentucky.

If we take into consideration the data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), sonographers in Kentucky make a mean annual salary of $87207, but the salary may range depending on numerous factors.

The level of education and experience and type of employer can affect how much money you will earn.

For example:

• Ultrasound Technician Salary in Kentucky – 43% expected job growth by 2024, $60,570 per year
• Echo Tech Salary in Kentucky – 44% expected job growth by 2024, $45,850 per year
• Vascular Sonographer Salary in Kentucky – 44% expected job growth by 2024, $45,850 per year
• MRI Technologist Salary in Kentucky — 24% expected job growth by 2024, $62,260 per year
• Cardiac Sonographer Salary in Kentucky – 44% expected job growth, $45,850 per year
• Radiology Tech Salary in Kentucky — 21% expected job growth by 2024, $49,760 per year

Also, different employers offer distinctive wages.

Outpatient care centers tend to pay the most unlike larger imaging centers and hospitals that tend to offer competitive benefit programs, but the base salary.

An Associate’s Degree is required to become an entry-level sonographer, but we suggest earning a Bachelor’s Degree so that you can get higher paying job positions.

By gaining certification, you can make yourself even more marketable to potential employers.

In case you specialize in a certain sector of sonography, including abdominal sonography, breast sonography, neuro-sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, and obstetric sonography, you will increase your potential to further your career and gain a higher paying position.

Geographic location can also affect your salary as a sonographer and the table below provides the average salaries in some major cities of Kentucky.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Kentucky