Ultrasound Technician Schools in South Dakota (Become a Sonographer)

Ultrasound technicians, sonographers, and ultrasound technologists are all terms that describe a highly specialized and trained allied health professional who are significant members of a healthcare team.

Performing pregnancy ultrasounds, abdominal, small parts, cardiovascular, gynecologic, and musculoskeletal sonographic imaging are just a few of the possible specializations they have, and their career opportunities are vast.

The ultrasound technologist’s job is to use specialized equipment that emits high-frequency sound waves that travel into the patient’s body and reflect back to the machine, and these images are used later on to diagnose and treat various diseases.

It is worth mentioning that diagnostic medical sonographers play an integral role in the healthcare of their patients and work closely with physicians.

If a career as sonographer interests you and you believe that you can stand all these duties and requirements, that you can work long hours, weekends, and over time, you should take a closer look at our Ultrasound Technician Guide w, as we have done research of the best educational options in South Dakota and we offer you a step by step process on how to become an ultrasound tech.

In our article you will learn the following:

• Required skills, abilities, and education
• How long it takes to complete a degree
• Licensing and certification requirements
• How much a sonographer earns

Becoming an ultrasound tech is a great career choice for many reasons, including:

• Quick education: Most sonographers hold an Associate’s Degree, which typically takes 2 years to complete and after graduation, they are ready to start working.
• High income: Average salary for ultrasound techs is among the highest available for associate degree holders in almost all the states
• Available jobs: Job growth is expected over the next ten years.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in South Dakota

Every career starts with proper and quality education, so you should be part of this growing field by attending ultrasound technician schools in South Dakota.

The following schools have programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as of March 2018:

• Southeast Technical Institute – Sioux Falls, SD Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program – 2320 North Career Avenue Sioux Falls, SD – 57107

You can also take a look at online ultrasound degrees in South Dakota and contact those schools to learn more.

The length and the required credits may vary depending on the level of education you are pursuing:

• Certificate programs: An average of one year of full-time study, leading to 30 credits
• Associate’s degree programs: Approximately two years of education and 60 credits
• Bachelor’s degree programs: Four years of full-time study and 120 credits

South Dakota universities and colleges offer both online and on-campus training programs for future ultrasound technicians, as well as part-time and full-time course options for those who are already employed.

Students in South Dakota ultrasound technician programs will receive a lot of one-on-one instruction due to small class sizes and will not only learn to administer the scans but also how to read the images and interpret the data to the treatment team.

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in South Dakota

South Dakota has no specific requirements for diagnostic medical sonographers.

If you want to practice in the state, you just need to get a degree but have in mind that most employers prefer or even require their employees to have a professional certification.

So, if you are at the beginning of your education, this is something that you should consider.

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the primary organization offering certification for sonographers.

To be able to pass one of their tests to gain their certification, you must meet one of the prerequisites that the ARDMS has determined.

You can graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or gain 12 months of full-time clinical experience which is difficult to reach without certification.

Unfortunately, there is only one testing center in South Dakota, but you may find one near you by looking in the surrounding areas.

The locations and their contact information are available on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the testing company Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.

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 South Dakota

According to statistics provided by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, there are 45,000 college students within 150 miles of Sioux Falls.

This is a state where the typical level of education is below the national average, so a degree in your chosen field will help you stand out from the competition.

The increasing number of the aging population has lead to increased growth in healthcare jobs, and successful completion of a sonography program will place you in a strong job market with strong salary expectations.

Job growth for sonographers is expected to be 20% by 2024, while the current median annual salary is $79330.

The salary will depend on various factors, including the facility you work in, location, level of education and experience, as well as specialization and certification.

The wages may range from $70252 that is a yearly income of people working at an entry-level position, to $91542 which is a salary offered to those with the greatest experience and qualifications.

Also, as it is shown in the table below, the sonographer’s salary will not be the same in all major cities in South Dakota.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in South Dakota