If you’re thinking about attending an ultrasound technician school in Oklahoma in 2018, you’ll be part of a growing and rewarding field in a state that’s expecting an impressive 21% growth in employment by 2024. Begin by requesting information from the schools listed below, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions and make sure that they offer the programs you’re looking for. If you don’t see a sonography program in your area, consider looking into one of the many related fields in healthcare.
Diagnostic medical sonographers, otherwise known as ultrasound technicians, play a vital role in the healthcare of Americans. Using sophisticated equipment, they take images of the inside of the bodies of their patients. They then work closely with physicians, who use those images to prevent and treat disease, as well as monitor the health and growth of a fetus.
Schools
Nearby Schools
Career Resources
Oklahoma Healthcare Career Resources
Diagnostic medical sonography is one of the highest paid professions available with just an associate’s degree. As the medical field grows due to an aging population, the demand for diagnostic medical sonographers grows as well. The majority of sonographers find work in the surgical and general medical hospitals of Oklahoma, but employment is also available at physicians’ offices and diagnostic imaging centers.
By The Numbers
In Oklahoma, the starting salary for graduates in 2015 was around $50,000 per year, and the median annual income was $65,100.
Demand in Oklahoma is expected to be exceptionally high, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting employment to increase by 21% in the decade spanning 2014 through 2024.
Certification
Certification Requirements in Oklahoma
Currently, there are only two states that require licensure for sonographers to practice, and Oklahoma is not one of them. However, many states are considering legislation to change that, so it’s good to be prepared. In order to obtain a license, certification from a professional organization is typically required.
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the primary organization offering certification for sonographers, and you must pass one of their tests to gain their certification. Oklahoma has three testing centers available, but you may find a location near you by looking in the surrounding area. Find the locations and their contact information 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 that the ARDMS has set forth. Probably the most common one is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), but there are others as well. Review the list found on the ARDMS website and see which prerequisite will be the easiest for you to meet.
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.
Accredited Sonography Schools in Oklahoma
The following schools have diagnostic medical sonography programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as of March 2018:
Moore Norman Technology Center
Norman, OK
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma City, OK
Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OK
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Oklahoma City
The healthcare industry in Oklahoma City employs over 60,000 people, and strong job growth across the sector is expected over the next decade. If you’re considering completing a sonography program in Oklahoma City, there are several institutions to choose from, including Oklahoma State University. If local programs or full or you can’t yet meet their entrance requirements, consider pursuing an education in one of the many allied health fields.
The median salary for sonographers in Oklahoma City was $65,500 as of May, 2015 (BLS.org), which is on par with the rest of the country. There is expected to be a 21% increase of available positions across the state in the decade spanning 2014-2024.
Advice From the Experts
Chelsey Wright,BS-MIRS, RDCS (AE, PE), RDMS
Chelsey Wright is a graduate of the Sonography program at the University of Oklahoma and author of “Sonographic Evaluation of Interstitial (Cornual) Ectopic Pregnancy”, published in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
In this interview, Chelsey shares with us why she is passionate about Sonography, and gives advice for those considering medical imaging as a career.
What Can I Expect to Earn as a Sonographer in Oklahoma?
Table 1 gives you the average annual salary for ultrasound technicians in different metropolitan areas of the state.
| Metropolitan Area | 2010 Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $67,500 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $65,500 |
| Tulsa, OK | $65,400 |
All salary job growth statistics, unless otherwise noted, are provided by:
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015-16 Occupational Employment Statistics Survey, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292032.htm
*Career OneStop, https://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=Overall&optstatus=111111111&jobfam=29&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=292032&menuMode=&stfips=40&x=53&y=12