Ultrasound Technician Schools in North Dakota (Become a Sonographer)

Diagnostic medical sonographers are people who use special equipment to image the inside of the body.

Later on, physicians use those images to detect, diagnose, and treat disease, making these professionals a very important part of a healthcare team.

As a sonographer, you will be involved in the process of providing care for patients so you will need to have more than just technical skills.

It is a fact that nowadays medical imaging is a popular career choice due to the rewarding nature of the work, combined with a relatively short educational and training period, but not everyone can become a sonographer.

So as to make your research shorter and easier, we have gathered all the much-needed information related to this profession, both prior and after becoming a certified sonographer.

In our article, you will find the sonography programs in North Dakota that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and you will also learn more about the licensing and accreditation requirements.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in North Dakota

So as to become a sonographer in North Dakota, you will need to meet the minimum education required.

To be a practicing sonographer you will need to possess at least an Associate in Science degree which can be achieved after two years of full-time attendance.

You will be offered clinical, hands-on learning as part of this program and upon finishing the accredited program, you will make be eligible to sit for a national certification exam.

This kind of degree is enough for entry-level sonography positions, but if you wish to reach higher levels, you will need to advance in your knowledge and skills.

We have emphasized the fact that a program you choose to attend should be accredited, as it means that the school has met the standards set by an outside agency, related to the quality of the instruction at that institution.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the primary accrediting body for sonography and other medical imaging programs and the following school has three sonography programs – General, Vascular, and Cardiac – that have been accredited.

• Sanford Medical Center – 3148 Fiechtner Dr. S Fargo, ND 58103 (701) 234-4984
  Email: stefanie.anderson@sanfordhealth.org
• Programs offered:
  • Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences with tracks in:
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Echocardiography
• Job placement scores: 100% for the class of 2019
  ARDMS pass rate: 100% for the class of 2019

The program is offered in partnership with North Dakota State University.

The length of your studies highly depends on the level of education you are eager to achieve:

• Certificate programs: Typically one year, 30 credits, and several hundred hours of clinical experience
• Associate’s degree programs: Approximately two years, 60 credits, and over 500 hours of clinical experience
• Bachelor’s degree programs: Four years, 120 credits, and over 600 hours of clinical experience

The successful completion of this recognized N. Dakota DMS program is the direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.

Courses that students take while attending this program are:

• Clinical Sonography
• Obstetrics/Gynecology Ultrasound
• Ultrasound Equipment
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Sectional Anatomy
• Legal Aspects of Healthcare
• Diagnostic Imaging Fundamentals
• Medical Imaging in Healthcare

By comparing programs in different specialties, you can find an option that makes full use of your skills and interests.

Most universities and colleges are concentrated in the more populous areas of the state where you can attend classes on campus, but there are online ultrasound options available as well.

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in North Dakota

Since March 2015, North Dakota became the third state that requires practicing Sonographers to possess a state license.

You will need to get acquainted with North Dakota’s licensing requirements, fees, and applications and all the information can be found on the state’s website at http://www.nd.gov/.

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the primary organization offering certification for sonographers, and you will need to pass its tests in order to be awarded that certification.

The test is administered by Pearson Vue and you can use its search tool to help you find the nearest testing center.

In order to take the ARDMS exam, people have to meet prerequisites, that is, to either graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or gain 12 months of clinical experience.

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

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

The required supporting documentation must be submitted within 21 days of applying online by uploading it into your MY ARDMS account.

Documentation required with the application is:

• Copy of an official transcript from a two-year allied health education program with a state-specific number of credits.
• 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

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In North Dakota

Having in mind the fact that diagnostic medical sonography is one of the highest-paid professions available with just an associate’s degree, many people decide to become sonographers.

They also find it attractive due to the fact that they can find work in the state’s general medical and surgical hospitals, in physicians’ offices, or diagnostic imaging centers.

According to statistics offered by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), sonographers in North Dakota earn a median salary of $87022.

However, your earning potential will be highly influenced by the level of education you possess:

• Ultrasound Technician Salary in North Dakota – Expected growth of 34%, $68,190 per year
• Echo Tech Salary in North Dakota — Expected growth of 34% between 2014 and 2024, $46,720 per year
• Vascular Sonographer Salary in North Dakota – Expected growth of 34%, $46,720 per year
• MRI Technologist Salary in North Dakota — Expected growth of 15%, $60,620 per year
• Cardiac Sonographer Salary in North Dakota – Expected growth of 34%, $46,270 per year
• Radiology Tech Salary in North Dakota — Expected growth of 14% between 2014 and 2024, $53,040 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017)

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in North Dakota