Ultrasound Technician Schools in Iowa (Become a Sonographer)

You have heard about sonography as a very interesting and stable career but you are still wondering “Is ultrasound tech a good career for me in Iowa?”, we are here to dispel your doubts.

In our article, you can learn more about this exciting, yet responsible career by exploring the education and certification requirements, as well as the average ultrasound tech salary in Iowa.

You should know that your work, once you become a sonographer, will be important to the healthcare industry, physicians, and individual patients.

Pursuing your education at one of the ultrasound technician schools in Iowa should be your starting point, as it will help qualify you to pursue a position in the growing sonography industry.

One of the reasons why so many people are becoming interested in this field is the job outlook, which is expected to increase by 23.5% by 2026.

So as to be sure that this job is the right for you, you should know that diagnostic medical sonographers play an important role in the care of their patients and they need to be very responsible.

They usually work closely alongside physicians, use special equipment to produce images of the inside of the body which are later used to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Iowa

It is worth mentioning that the primary accrediting body for sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

If a school becomes accredited by CAAHEP, it means that it has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines.

Actually, it has passed a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit which ensures that the school can provide a high-quality education to their students.

By successful completion of one of these recognized Iowa DMS programs, students earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam and they are also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo semi-annual $1,000 scholarship.

Passing both of their exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.

The following ultrasound technician schools in Iowa have all been accredited by CAAHEP and offer certificates or degrees in diagnostic medical sonography as of August 2020:

• Allen College – 1990 Heath Street Waterloo, IA 50703
• Mercy College of Health Sciences – 928 6th Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309
• The University of Iowa Healthcare – 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52242

A few of Iowa’s smaller colleges are ultrasound tech schools, offering associate degrees in sonography and radiologic technology as well as certificate programs to enter the field.

The ultrasound technician programs in IA include Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and Radiologic Technology.

Now, you are probably wondering how long you will need to go to school prior to get the degree.

Actually, if you plan to complete a certificate program, you can expect to be in school anywhere from two-four semesters.

On the other hand, if you plan on earning an Associate’s in Ultrasound Technology, you will need to spend at least two years earning your degree.

Some of the more common courses you will take during your studies include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Diagnostic Procedures I, II, III
• Healthcare Communication
• Patient Safety and Procedures
• Inter-professional Issues
• Basic Math, English and Sciences courses

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Iowa

Iowa has no licensure or certification requirement for diagnostic medical sonographers, but many employers prefer or require sonographers to receive certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) so as to be considered appropriate candidates for jobs.

This is a reason good enough to start thinking about getting your license, and the only way to earn ARDMS certification is by taking and passing their exam.

In order to qualify, you must meet their prerequisites, that is, you must either graduate from a CAAHEP accredited school or gain 12 months of full-time clinical experience.

It is our suggestion to request information from several ultrasound technician schools in Iowa or do your own research to make sure that they meet the certification requirements.

Applicants must apply online, pay all fees, and submit all of the required supporting documentation by the deadline provided in order for ARDMS to determine eligibility.

Documentation required with the application is:

• Copy of an official transcript from a two-year allied health education program with a state-specific number of credits.
• Copy of education program certificate, certification, or license.
• Letter from a supervising physician, ARDMS-Registered sonographer/technologist, or the educational program director indicating a minimum of 12 months of full-time clinical/ vascular experience.
• Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each appropriate specialty area(s)
• Copy of non-expired government-issued photo identification (ID) with signature

Once you have met all the requirements, you can take the exam at one of the various locations in Iowa:

• 3737 Woodland Ave # 340, West Des Moines, IA 50266
• 4300 S Lakeport St, Sioux City, IA 51106
• 101 W 69th St #104, Sioux Falls, SD 57108
• 100 W Kimberly Rd # 401, Davenport, IA 52806
• 327 2nd St #370, Coralville, IA 52241
• 3506 N 147th St #202, Omaha, NE 68116

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In Iowa

The average annual salary for sonographers in Iowa is $88690 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The salary you will earn depends on a number of factors, including the level of education and experience, geographic location, and type of employer.

It is good to know that outpatient care centers tend to pay the most, while those larger imaging centers and hospitals also tend to offer competitive benefit programs but not so high salaries.

When it comes to education, an Associate’s Degree is required to become an entry-level sonographer, but if you devote more time and effort to earn a Bachelor’s Degree, you will be able to get higher paying job positions as it is shown below:

• Ultrasound Technician Salary in Iowa – 25% expected job growth by 2024, $62,110 per year
• Echo Tech Salary in Iowa — 20% expected job growth by 2024, $48,530 per year
• Vascular Sonographer Salary in Iowa – 20% expected job growth, $48,530 per year
• MRI Technologist Salary in Iowa — 11% expected job growth, $60,050 per year
• Cardiac Sonographer Salary in Iowa – 20% expected job growth, $48,530 per year
• Radiology Tech Salary in Iowa — 7% expected job growth, $49,600 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The following table provides the annual mean salary for ultrasound techs in different locations in Iowa.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Iowa