Ultrasound Technician Schools in South Carolina (Become a Sonographer)

You have finished high school but you are still not sure which college to enroll in.

Your desires are related to medicine, but you are also interested in technology.

You want to help people with diseases, while at the same time earn enough money for a living and have a stable career for your future.

If this is a description of you, you are in the right place.

We have decided to gather all the information you need to become a sonographer, as this is an ideal profession for people who want to get involved in both medicine and technology.

The medical industry as a whole, and sonography, in particular, is seeing strong job growth across the state, especially nowadays as the population ages.

The need for diagnostic imaging increases and creates new opportunities for those individuals looking to get into this field.

Our suggestion for these people in enrollment in the CAAHEP accredited ultrasound technician schools in South Carolina, that offer degree or certificate programs for diagnostic medical sonographers.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in South Carolina

In case you are ready to be a part of this growing field, you should start your journey by attending ultrasound technician schools in South Carolina, being that a degree in your chosen field will help you stand out from the competition.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a school to attend, such as costs, financial aid, programs, and how near it is to your place, but above them all, the accreditation should be at the top of the list.

The following schools have programs offering degrees or certificate programs in Sonography that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as of June 2020:

• Greenville Technical College – PO Box 5616 Greenville, SC 29606-5616
• Horry Georgetown Technical College – Grand Strand Campus 743 Hemlock Ave Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Each of these schools has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit, and this is a kind of proof that the education provided there is of the highest standards.

The successful completion of South Carolina DMS programs will allow its graduates to take and pass the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in South Carolina

South Carolina, as the majority of states, has no specific requirements for diagnostic medical sonographers to practice in the state.

However, we suggest that you start thinking about getting a certificate, being that most employers prefer or even require their ultrasound techs to carry a professional certification, just to make sure they hired the best professionals.

You should consider gaining this as you begin to consider your education and career path, so as to make yourself more attractive and stand out from other candidates when applying for the job.

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the primary organization offering certification for sonographers, but the license is given only to those who pass one of their tests.

In South Carolina, you can sit for this exam at three testing centers available.

Interested applicants can find the nearest location on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the testing company Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.

In order to sit for the exam, you must meet one of the prerequisites and that is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

There are other requirements as well, such as 12 months of full-time clinical experience, but this is difficult to get if you do not already possess a certificate.

There are also many already employed sonographers who sit for this exam so as to improve their earning potential or get a better position.

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

Carolina Sonography Scholarships

SC Needs-Based Grant Program – Up to $2,500 – So as to be eligible for this award, students must be enrolled in a first-year, degree-seeking program.

LIFE Scholarship Program – Up to $4,500 –  This is a merit-based program for students enrolled in their first post-high school degree program. No application required.  The college will automatically determine eligibility.

SDMS Foundation Sonography Student Scholarship Program – $2,500 – Designed for a deserving sonography student who has been accepted or is currently enrolled in an educational program in diagnostic medical sonography or cardiovascular technology that is accredited by CAAHEP.

Rural Health Information Hub – varies – Variety of scholarships for individuals from rural areas of S. Carolina, or who are willing to work in S. Carolina.  Applies to a variety of technical courses and careers. You should refer to the RHIB website for qualifications and application assistance.

Medical Imaging Organizations for South Carolina Sonographers

• South Carolina Society for Vascular Ultrasound
• South Carolina Radiological Society
• South Carolina Hospital Association

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In South Carolina

The mean annual salary for sonographers in South Carolina is $86744 per year.

Ultrasound techs who are just starting out in their career can expect to earn entry-level salaries that are around $76818 per year, while experienced professionals can reach up to $100098.

Your income cannot be exactly determined, as it can vary based on numerous factors, from the level of education and experience you have, whether or not your possess ARDMS certification, your geographic location within the state, and the type of employer.

You should have in mind that large imaging centers and hospitals tend to employ the most sonographers, but the salaries are not that great.

What is more important for aspiring sonographers is that job growth is expected to be 26% by 2026.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in South Carolina