North Carolina Ultrasound Tech Programs

New graduates celebrate with their families at their nursing commencement ceremony.

How to Become a Sonographer in North Carolina and Sonography Programs in North Carolina

Sonographers are a specialty class of radiology professionals. They earn their certification in general radiology, and then take a specialty program and exam to earn their sonographer certification. These professionals use ultrasound technology to see organs and tissue inside a person�s body. This technology is primarily used for diagnostic purposes. Sometimes it is used in assistance of a biopsy. A needle is guided into the right place by using the ultrasound image. This is used on many parts of the body including the abdomen, the breast, and even the vascular system. Most people know this technology by its use on pregnant women to see their unborn child.

A person can become a sonographer in North Carolina by completing an approved sonography program and passing the exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. This is a specialty exam that can be taken after one is certified by this organization as a radiology technician. There are several colleges and technical institutes that offer approved sonography programs. One of these schools is South Piedmont Community College in Monroe. This school offers coursework as well as clinical studies that must be completed in order to show competency in this modality.

Courses that a student will take in this type of program include abdomen sonography as well as obstetrical sonography. They learn through case studies and also clinical work that entails direct patient contact. They will learn to master this profession through hours of clinical work. This helps the student gain valuable experience while learning. The approved programs offer clinical studies as well as coursework in this profession because this is important preparation for working in this field.

Many medical sonographers enjoy lucrative careers at either a hospital or diagnostic clinic. There is expected to be steady growth in this industry due to the rising number of elderly people in the state. Certain physicians have sonographers that work right in their offices to perform routine sonograms. OBGYN physicians often have this professional working in their office due to the number of times they are needed. There is a high placement rate for students who become certified sonographers from the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians in North Carolina. It is important that these professionals keep up with their continuing education courses. This helps them to stay up to date with the latest technology in the industry. This is a requirement of the certification and recertification process.

North Carolina Board of Nursing
3724 National Drive, Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27602
Phone: (919) 782-3211
Fax: (919) 781-9461

North Carolina Nurses Association

• North Carolina Department of Public Health
• Henderson County Department of Public Health
• Surry County Health Department