Ultrasound Technician Schools in Oregon (Become a Sonographer)

Besides offering you a list of all the accredited Sonography schools in Oregon that offer Degree or Certificate programs, we wanted to go even further, and provide you with certification options after graduation as well as possible job opportunities and salary of Sonographers in Oregon.

If you are interested in attending an ultrasound technician school in Oregon, the research is done for you and our suggestion is to attend only accredited programs.

The reason why many people nowadays decide to enroll in these schools is that the field is growing, offering a satisfying salary and excellent job prospects.

In the following article, we will discuss how much you can expect to earn as a diagnostic imaging technician, and what the certification requirements are in the state.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Oregon

Unfortunately, there is currently only one school in Oregon that has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit:

Oregon Institute of Technology – 3201 Campus Drive Klamath Falls, OR 97601

• Program Director: Christopher Caster MEd, RVT
• email: christopher.caster@oit.edu
• Degree offered: Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Related programs: Echocardiography, nuclear medicine, Radiologic Science, Vascular Technology

We keep on emphasizing the fact that you should successfully complete only the recognized Oregon DMS program, due to the fact that this is a direct way for students to earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination.

How long you will attend education depends on whether you want to earn your certificate in ultrasound technology or a degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

Those who are already employed in the medical field can enroll in a certificate program and finish it in a shorter period of time.

You are suggested to choose the program that best suits your needs, and if you select a degree program it will provide you with the necessary education and hands-on experience, but it will take about two years to complete.

The higher levels of education such as bachelor’s or master’s degrees take around four years to complete.

Ultrasound technology programs in the majority of educational institutions consist of classroom instruction and clinical training, covering topics like pathophysiology, anatomy, and general sonography principles.

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Oregon

Unlike the majority of states in the USA, Oregon is one of four that require sonographers to possess certification.

Oregon’s Board of Medical Imaging determined that people practicing in diagnostic medical imaging modalities must have a current two-year license or permit from the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI).

Furthermore, most employers will require professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) when selecting the best candidate to hire.

You can earn certification by taking and passing their exam in many locations throughout Oregon.

Locations can be found on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the testing company Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.

However, only qualified students can sit for the exam, and reaching qualification is possible if you graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Once you are ready to apply for an ARDMS examination, you should log in to MY ARDMS and choose Apply Online.

Then, you need to complete the online application form and submit payment.

The required supporting documentation must be submitted within 21 days of applying online by uploading it into your MY ARDMS account.

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

Those who have not finished an accredited degree in ultrasound technology can also get the certificate, but the prerequisites will be different.

The fulfillment of additional requirements is necessary in order to take the ARDMS exam.

These requirements include a completed internship or externship, as well as at least 12 months of experience as an ultrasound tech, and completed 60 hours of a sonography program.

The successful registration with the ARDMS does not mean the end of your education, as you must renew your license every two years by taking 24 credits of sonography training through an approved program.

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In Oregon

Future sonographers would be glad to know how high their salaries will be upon graduation.

They invest time and money in education and expect to earn enough for a decent living.

Sonographers in Oregon earn a median annual salary of $92304, which is considerably higher than the national average and it is expected to grow, as well as employment opportunities.

Job growth is going to be very strong, with a 24% growth rate expected by 2026.

If you are wondering where you can look for employment, in Oregon, most diagnostic medical sonographers work in general medical and surgical hospitals.

Workers must have an associate degree to gain the necessary skills for this occupation, but they can expect to earn only the base salary, which is around $81742 per year.

However, those with a bachelor’s degree have a competitive advantage in this labor market and higher wages, reaching $106514.

The following figures show the difference in job growth and salaries among different specialties in Oregon:

• Ultrasound Technician Salary in Oregon – Expected growth of 24% between 2016 and 2026, $86,140 per year
• Echo Tech Salary in Oregon — Expected growth of 13%, 72,430 per year
• Vascular Sonography Salary in Oregon – Expected growth of 13%, 72,430 per year
• MRI Technologist Salary in Oregon — Expected growth of 13%, $85,010 per year
• Cardiac Sonographer Salary in Oregon – Expected growth of 13%, 72,430 per year
• Radiology Tech Salary in Oregon – Expected growth of 13%, $71,450 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018)

Due to such a high employment outlook and the opportunity to earn some of the highest wages in the country, we believe that now is the right time to consider a career in ultrasound technology.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Oregon