Diagnostic Medical Sonography
School of Health Sciences
Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center, Rm. W232 · (570) 320-8007
Pennsylvania College of Technology, in conjunction with the School of Health Sciences, provides Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) courses for students who have graduated from, or are currently enrolled in, Applied Health Studies and/or Radiography majors. These courses are also available to other qualified individuals.
Completion of this 13-credit curriculum (and 1,500 hours of documented clinical practice) will result in a Competency Credential which will prepare the practitioner to take certification exams.
A Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is a highly-skilled professional who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body. These images are then used by a physician to make a medical diagnosis. The imaging process involves placing a small device called a transducer against the patient's skin near the body area to be imaged. The transducer sends a stream of high frequency sound waves into the body, where they bounce off of the structures inside. These sounds are analyzed by a computer to make an image of the structures that can be viewed on a television screen or recorded on videotape.
Employment, Salary, and Advancement
Sonography is a dynamic profession that has grown significantly over the past 20 years. With rapidly developing technologies and increased use of diagnostic ultrasound procedures, growth is projected to continue. Qualified sonographers will find future employment opportunities in both urban and rural areas nationwide.
Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to increase by about 19 percent through 2016 – faster than the average for all occupations – as the population ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. Median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers were $57,160 in May 2006 (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm)).
Graduates of the Sonography major generally find employment in:
- clinics
- hospitals
- private practice physician offices
- public health facilities
- laboratories
Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, sales, technical advising, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists.
Additional Information
Contact Robert Slothus, RD Program Director at (570) 327-2400, ext. 7409 or (570) 320-8007 for course content and eligibility requirements. For more detail about the Sonography courses we offer, view the course descriptions available in our online catalog. You can also use the Course Offerings Search to find upcoming courses. Type "son" in the "Select Course" text box.
Diagnostical Medical Sonography News
School of Health Sciences Hosts Two Summer Learning Experiences
June 2008
Penn College's School of Health Sciences recently held two summer camps for high school students interested in exploring a career in a health-care profession: the second annual EMT/Paramedic Camp on June 6-8, and the eighth annual Health Careers Camp from June 11-13.( Photos by Nathan D. Smyth, coordinator of matriculation and retention for health sciences)
Agreement With Susquehanna Health Supports Radiography Program
October 2007
Penn College Faculty Member Included in ‘Who’s Who’ Publication
June 2007
Regis C. Kohler
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Penn College Students to Help Celebrate X-Ray's Birthday
October 2006
Radiography Faculty Member to Be Honored in 'Who's Who'
May 2006
Regis C. Kohler
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Regis C. Kohler, associate professor of radiography at Penn College, will be honored in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." His biography will appear in the 10th edition of the book, to be published later this year. This is the second time Kohler has earned the recognition.