Ultrasound Technician Schools in North Carolina (Become a Sonographer)

In our article, we would like to inform you about everything you need to know related to the diagnostic medical sonographer career field.

Actually, sonographers are also known as ultrasound technicians, and they use special equipment to take images of the inside of the body.

This means that they need to work with physicians whose job is to use these images to detect, diagnose, and treat disease, as well as monitor the health and growth of a fetus.

This is becoming a popular career choice being that there is constant job growth, combined with a good salary and relatively short educational and training period.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in North Carolina

Even though there are many factors that you need to consider when choosing a sonography program, such as cost and programs, the most important one is accreditation.

The following schools have programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):

• Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
• Caldwell Community College, Hudson, NC
• Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, NC
• Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston-Salem, NC
• Johnston Community College, Smithfield, NC
• Pitt Community College, Greenville, NC
• South College Asheville, Asheville, NC
• South Piedmont Community College, Monroe, NC
• Southwestern Community College – Sylva, Sylva, NC

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College- Sonography Program – 340 Victoria Road Asheville, NC 28801

• Email: chastitylcase@abtech.edu
• Program offerings: Associate’s degree in Sonography
• Program Cost: $76.00 per credit hour
• Available ARDMS Registries: SP & I, Abdomen, ObGyn, and Vascular Technology
• Clinical sites within NC: 16

Caldwell Community College – 2855 Hickory Blvd Hudson, NC 286381

• Email: rnichols@cccti.edu
• Program offerings: Medical Sonography Associate Degree, Cardiovascular Sonography A.D., Cardiovascular Certificate, Echocardiography Certificate
• Scholarships and Financial Aid Available: Yes
• Clinical sites within NC: 33

Cape Fear Sonography Program – 411 North Front Street Wilmington, NC 28401

• Email: kstacks@cfcc.edu
• Program offerings: General and Cardiac Sonography
• Program Cost: $1295.00 for 15 credit hours

Forsyth Technical Sonography Program – 2100 Silas Creek Pky Winston-Salem, NC 27103

• Email: dwood@forsythtech.edu
• Program offerings: General and Cardiac Sonography
• Program cost: $1140 for 15 credit hours
• Clinical sites within NC: 23

Johnston Community College Sonography Program – PO Box 2350 245 College Road Smithfield, NC 27577

• Email: smpenny@johnstoncc.edu
• Program offerings: General, Cardiac, and Vascular Sonography
• Program cost: $1248 for 15 credit hours

Pitt Community College Sonography Program – PO Drawer 7007 Greenville, NC 27835

• Email: hcostanzo@email.pittcc.edu
• Accredited program offerings: General and Cardiac DMS
• Program cost: $76 per credit hour
• Available ARDMS Registries:  ABD and ObGyn

South College Asheville Sonography Program – 140 Sweeten Creek Road Asheville, NC 28803-1526

• Email: kmichael@south.edu
• Accredited program offerings: General Sonography

South Piedmont Sonography Program – 4209 Old Charlotte Highway Monroe, NC 28110

• Email: adelacruz@spcc.edu
• Accredited program offerings: General medical sonography
• Estimated Program Cost: $10,418.40

Southwestern Community College – Sylva Sonography Program – 447 College Drive Sylva, NC 28779

• Email: d_eavenson@southwesterncc.edu
• Accredited program offerings: General medical sonography
• Program cost: $79 per credit hour

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in North Carolina

Just as it is the case in most states, North Carolina does not require professional certification or licensure to practice sonography.

The main reason why people decide to hold a license is that most employers require certification.

We believe that it is a smart thing to consider gaining it as you plan for your education and training.

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the organization that offers certification for sonographers.

Earning their certification is possible by taking and passing their exam.

However, not everyone is eligible to take the ARDMS exam.

You will need to meet one of their prerequisites.

One way is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the other is to have satisfactory experience in this field.

Tests for the ARDMS are administered by Pearson Vue, and there are numerous testing centers within N.C.

Schools will often help facilitate the taking of the initial Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam.

Medical Imaging Organizations for North Carolina

It is our suggestion that you become a member of an organization within your field.

The benefits of this membership are numerous, including networking, staying current on changing technology, continuing medical education opportunities, and remaining competitive in the workplace.

Most of the organizations are non-profit, though some have annual membership dues and we believe the these are worth your consideration:

• North Carolina Ultrasound Society
• The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• North Carolina Healthcare Association

Financial Assistance for Sonographers in North Carolina

• Anne Jones Scholarship Fund – 4 annual scholarships totaling $5,500 – Applicant must be enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited program.
• Ultrasound Schools Info – Two $1000 scholarships each year – Applicant must be enrolled in or accepted to a CAAHEP accredited sonography program.
• SDMS Foundation Sonography Student Scholarship Program – $2,500 –  applicant must be accepted or currently enrolled in an educational program in DMS or cardiovascular technology that is accredited by CAAHEP.
• Answer Scholarship – the amount varies – Variety of scholarships available to Moms wanting to return to school in N.C.
• Oliver Joel and Ellen Pell Denny Healthcare Scholarship – Up to $1,500 – Open to N.C. residents seeking a degree in healthcare.

Top Healthcare Employers in the State

We would like to mention 7 healthcare employers in North Carolina that are among the top 150 best places to work in healthcare according to a study released by Becker’s Hospital Review.

These employers provide employee benefits and opportunities for professional growth in North Carolina:

• Atrium Healthcare (Charlotte, N.C.)
• New Hanover Regional Medical Center (Wilmington, N.C.)
• Novant Health, Winston (Salem, N.C.)
• Pinehurst Medical Clinic (across the state)
• UNC Medical Center (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
• Ensemble Health Partners (Huntersville, N.C.)
• Lenovo (Morrisville, N.C.)

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In North Carolina

In North Carolina, diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median annual salary of $88412.

The starting salary for those who are just entering the market will be around $78295, while sonographers in managerial positions as well as those who possess years of experience can earn over $102023 per year.

How much you can earn depends on a variety of factors, including the type of employer you work for.

When looking for a job, it is good to remember that general and surgical hospitals employ the most sonographers but their salaries are not so great, unlike outpatient care centers which tend to pay the best.

Predicted growth in the field is expected to be much higher than average, with a 27% increase in jobs by 2026 causing more than 150 job openings per year.

Most of those employed in the field have at least an associate degree, and ARDMS certification is required by most employers.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in North Carolina