Pursuing a degree at an ultrasound technician school in Alabama in 2018 will help to prepare you for a job in a growing industry. Below you will find a directory of accredited sonography schools in the Alabama area to help you get started.
Alabama’s Department of Industrial Relations has predicted that healthcare support occupations will have strong demand in the state. At the same time, the median age of the workforce in Alabama is expected to increase, as it is in much of the country. This helps to create an opportunity for those entering the workforce, as there are retiree jobs to fill along with the new jobs that are being created. All of this, combined with the state’s low cost of living, makes it a wise choice to pursue your degree at one of the ultrasound technician schools in Alabama.
Schools
If you don’t find a sonography school listed in your area, consider one of the healthcare support programs listed below. Job growth nation-wide is happening all across the healthcare industry, so explore one of the many other fields in the industry. Request information from a school to see if they have a program that will help you achieve your long-term goals.
Nearby Schools
Career Resources
Alabama Healthcare Career Resources
Diagnostic medical sonographers earned a mean salary of $54,940 per year in 2016 in Alabama. Above average growth is expected in the medical imaging field, with Alabama expecting a 28% employment increase by 2024. The majority of medical sonographers in Alabama work in hospitals, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham is the state’s largest employer. Request information from ultrasound technician schools in Alabama, and get your questions answered to make sure they offer the programs you’re looking for.
By The Numbers
State wide, the mean annual salary in May, 2016 was $54,940.00 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Certification
Certification Requirements in Alabama
While Alabama does not require their diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed or certified, many states are considering moving towards licensure, so it’s smart thing to consider. Many employers do require professional certification, typically by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn certification is by taking and passing their exam. There are six locations in Alabama to take the exam, and you can find them on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the testing company Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.
The easiest way to qualify to sit for the exam is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Otherwise, you’ll need 12 months of full time clinical experience. You can read more about the testing prerequisites on the ARDMS website. Request information from several ultrasound technician schools in Alabama, and do the research to make sure that they meet the certification requirements you’re looking for.
Additional Certification Information
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does an ultrasound technician do?
There’s much more than just imaging internal organs. Learn more at: ultrasounddchoolsinfo.com/ultrasound-technician. Get a complete job description, as well as first-hand accounts of what it’s like to be a sonographer.
How do I get started?
We’ll walk you through all of the steps, starting when you’re still in high school or before you’ve started any formal post-education program, all the way through finding a job and advancing in your career. Get Started Now.
How long do I have to go to school?
Most degree programs are completed within two years.
How do I know if it’s right for me?
In order to be successful in the field, you’ll need more than just technical knowledge. Here’s how you’ll know if you’ve got what it takes.
What other jobs can I get in healthcare?
There are many careers available within the healthcare industry, and we’ll introduce you to many of them here.
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Birmingham
If you’re in the Birmingham area and would like to attend a sonography program, there are several in the area to choose from, including CAAHEP accredited Virginia College.
The University of Alabama, located in Birmingham, employs more than 23,000 people, is ranked as the 4th largest academic medical center in the U.S., and has been recognized as one of the most racially diverse campuses in the country. Job growth for sonographers in Birmingham is expected to be very strong, with growth of 28% expected in the decade spanning 2014-2024. The median salary earned in May, 2015 was $58,900.
Statistics provided by Career OneStop and the U.S. Dept. of Education. http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=Overall&optstatus=111111111&jobfam=29&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=292032&menuMode=&stfips=01&x=42&y=11
Accredited Sonography Schools in Alabama
There are many factors to consider when choosing your sonography program in Alabama. Cost, proximity and available programs are all important, but accreditation should be one of the primary considerations. The following ultrasound technician schools in Alabama have all been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as of February, 2018:
H. Council Trenholm State Technical College
Montgomery, AL
Institute of Ultrasound Diagnostics
Mobile, AL
Lurleen B Wallace Community College
Andalusia, AL
Virginia College at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL
Wallace State Community College
Hanceville, AL
How Much Do Ultrasound Techs in Alabama Make?
The following table provides median salary data for Sonographers in 2015 for the major metropolitan areas in Alabama. State wide, the median annual salary in May, 2016 was $54,940.00.
| Metropolitan Area | 2015 Median Salary |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | $58,900 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $49,200 |
| Dothan, AL | $48,700 |
| Huntsville, AL | $54,700 |
| Mobile, AL | $56,700 |
| Montgomery, AL | $47,100 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $55,700 |
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey and Career InfoNet, 2018 Data
*URL: http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=Overall&optstatus=111111111&jobfam=29&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=292032&stfips=01&x=31&y=10
*https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm