[ad_1]
Iowa is considered the heart of the Midwest and a farming state. Many of its attractions are associated with outdoor recreation, like sailing on Clear Lake or hiking in Backbone State Park. The state’s largest city, Des Moines, is the cultural, arts and health industry center. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will find a variety of job settings throughout the state, including hospitals, outpatient clinics and research hospitals.
Sonography Education in Iowa
Three schools in the state of Iowa offer sonography programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Allen College in Waterloo offers a certificate program in general sonography and a Bachelor degree in general sonography. Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines offers an Associate degree program with either a concentration in cardiac sonography or general sonography.
The University of Iowa Health Care academic medical center in Iowa City offers even more options. Students can earn a certificate in cardiac sonography, general sonography or vascular sonography. They also have the option of earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree through the Radiation Sciences baccalaureate program in the Carver College of Medicine. Once again, students have the option of concentrating their studies in general sonography, cardiac sonography or vascular sonography. Completing the programs at the three schools qualifies ultrasound technology students to take sonography certification organized by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Salaries and Career Outlook for Sonographers in Iowa
Though Iowa’s beginning salaries for sonographers are close to the national average for beginning salaries, they do not increase as quickly with experience. In fact, statistics indicate they are consistently lower with the Iowa median average salary at $57,500 and the median national salary at $65,900.
The projected growth in job openings during the 2010 to 2020 decade is 42 percent, and employment growth is on track in 2013. There were approximately 540 Diagnostic Medical Sonographers employed in 2010 with the 2020 projection statistics indicating 760 will find employment by 2020. Over 40 percent of the jobs are available in the four cities of Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines. The 2012 average salaries were quite close across the state and ranged from a low of $58,130 in the northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area to $62,180 in Omaha-Council Bluffs Northeast. Experienced ultrasound technicians will find excellent earning opportunities in small population areas like Manchester and Nashua.
A List of Best Schools for Diagnostic Medical Sonography Study in Iowa
School Name: Allen College
Address: 1990 Heath Street, Waterloo, IA – 50703
City: Waterloo
Contact Person: Evalene Martin
Contact Phone: 319-226-2048
Program: Accredited Certificate Program
Accreditation: CAAHEP Accredited
School Name: Mercy College of Health Sciences
Address: 928 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines, IA – 50309
City: Des Moines
Contact Person: Adrienne St. Clair
Contact Phone: 515-643-6610
Program: Accredited Associate Degree Program
Accreditation: CAAHEP Accredited
School Name: University of Iowa Health Care
Address: C723 GH 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA – 52242
City: Iowa City
Contact Person: Stephanie Ellingson
Contact Phone: 319-356-4871
Program: Accredited Certificate Program and Accredited Baccalaureate Degree
Accreditation: CAAHEP Accredited
[ad_2]
Source by Lisa J Parmley