New Mexico Sonography Tech Careers and Degrees
New Mexico offers a bright future for Medical Diagnostic Sonographers. The health care field is booming and doctors need diagnostic tools to efficiently treat their increasing patient loads.
Receiving Your Sonogram Technician Training in New Mexico
There are two accredited schools in New Mexico, with several state campuses, that offer programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, but you can also attend online courses. School accreditation is done by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs. Each year, 25 students graduate from New Mexico Sonography programs. That represents over 90% of the students who enrolled in the courses. The programs take between 18 and 24 months to complete, but the aim of all course work is to qualify students to take the exams from The American Registry of Diagnostic medical Sonography. Applicants to the schools need to have completed a secondary education, and an emphasis on math and science is preferable.
Courses concentrate on didactic, or classroom learning, lab work and clinical, hands-on experience in local hospitals. You will need to at least earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science, but higher certification is available with more training. According to the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education the curriculum includes physical sciences, applied biological sciences, patient care, evaluation of images and clinical medicine. Graduates from the Diagnostic medical Sonography programs must complete the programs satisfactorily in order to sit for the practicing exams.
Sonography Technician Licensing in New Mexico
New Mexico, like other states, does not require sonographers to be licensed; however employment prospects are brighter for those who are. Students who successfully complete the training programs for Diagnostic Medical Sonography are eligible to take the exams given by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. You may choose to take the exam that results in a designation of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or in the certificate of Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer. The first deals with basic sonography and the second specializes in cardiac sonography for adults and in fetal and pediatric echocardiology. Once you elect a certificate exam, you may not change. You may, however, add specializations to your credentials by taking other courses.
Career Outlook for Sonogram Technicians in New Mexico
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are an estimated 320 sonographers in New Mexico. Since the number of new sonographers graduating from New Mexico colleges is relatively small, the anticipated growth rate for this profession is high.
Sonographers work in clean environments, usually in hospitals, but they can also work in veterinary clinics and they might even be in retail, selling sonographic equipment. Many work for ambulatory health care services and in-home programs. The potential for advancement is great as sonographers can add specialties and advanced degrees that can make them more attractive to employers. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a field wide open for exploration by those seeking a career in the medical field.
New Mexico
Central New Mexico Community College (Albuquerque, NM)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Associate Of Science in Radiologic Technology
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Community College (Las Cruces, NM)
Programs Offered:
Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Certificate of Completion in Diagnostic Medical Sonography