Ultrasound technicians, also referred to as diagnostic medical sonographers, are trained to use special equipment that directs sound waves at a high frequency into different areas of a patient's body, forming an image that can be interpreted and diagnosed by a physician. There are a few schools in Colorado that provide training as a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Red Rocks Community College
Red Rocks Community College has two locations in Colorado, one in Lakewood and the other in Arvada. The Arvada campus is the only campus that offers a full-time sonography program that lasts 21 months or five semesters. The program itself is designed to prepare students to enter the field upon graduation in an entry-level position. In addition to the in class academic instruction, students are also given the opportunity to work in a clinical environment with patients and acquire hands-on experience. The program is separated into three specialized areas of study which include diagnostic medical sonography, vascular technology and echocardiography. Red Rocks Community College has a very competitive admissions process and only accepts 16 to 20 students yearly.
Red Rocks Community College
Arvada Campus
5420 Miller Street
Arvada, CO 80002
303-914-6010
rrcc.edu/dms/
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and certificate program in diagnostic medical sonography. The program is only open to students who have either a bachelor's degree or a two-year degree or certificate in a field related to patient care. The program takes four semesters to complete, and is for students who are either seeking certification or a degree.
Pueblo Community College
900 West Orman Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81004
719-549-3200
pueblocc.edu
University of Colorado Hospital
The University of Colorado Hospital has a diagnostic medical sonography program that, as of March 2010, begins every September and lasts for 12 months. The timing and length of the program may change according to the requirements of accreditation. Between seven and nine students are accepted yearly into the program and upon acceptance are assigned to a hospital that will be their primary location for the remainder of the program. In addition to classroom instruction, students receive hands-on experience as well as training in the laboratory. Student instruction is performed one day out of each week with the remaining days spent in the hospital or clinic.
University of Colorado Hospital
1635 Aurora Court
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-1872
uchsc.edu
Tags: Community College, diagnostic medical, Rocks Community, Rocks Community College, Colorado Hospital, diagnostic medical sonography
