Pursuing a Sonography Career: An Insider‘s Guide to Top Programs in St. Louis
Diagnostic medical sonography is an attractive and growing career field that allows you to help patients using cutting-edge imaging technology. As a sonographer in St. Louis, you can enjoy excellent job prospects and salary potential working in various medical settings.
This definitive guide provides an in-depth look at sonography programs available in St. Louis to help you make an informed choice that matches your goals. Whether you prefer an accelerated certificate or bachelor‘s degree, there is likely a program well-suited to launching your sonography career.
What is Diagnostic Medical Sonography?
Diagnostic medical sonography (also known as medical ultrasound) uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of structures inside the body. The technique is completely safe and painless for patients.
Sonographers are highly-skilled professionals who operate specialized equipment to capture ultrasound images. They are responsible for:
- Preparing patients for procedures
- Selecting appropriate equipment settings and transducer type
- Performing examinations while interacting with patients
- Analyzing images to identify normal anatomy and detect abnormalities
- Documenting findings for physicians to aid diagnosis
There are several sonography specialties which require additional training and certification:
- Abdominal sonography examines organs of the abdomen including the liver, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, and pancreas
- OB-GYN sonography focuses on the female reproductive system and developing fetus
- Echocardiography uses ultrasound to study the anatomy and function of the heart
- Vascular sonography images blood vessels and blood flow
- Breast sonography assists in evaluating breast abnormalities
- Musculoskeletal sonography images muscles, tendons and other soft tissues
Many sonographers choose to specialize, while others have more generalized roles working across multiple areas.
Why is Sonography an Appealing Career?
There are many great reasons to pursue sonography as a career choice:
Cutting-Edge Field with Continual Innovation
As ultrasound technology evolves, new applications and techniques continue to emerge. Sonographers use advanced modalities like 3D and 4D imaging, contrast enhanced ultrasound, elastography, image fusion and more. This creates exciting learning opportunities.
High Job Prospects Nationwide
Sonography is one of the fastest growing occupations in the country with an expected 20% growth from 2020-2030 per Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ projections. Job opportunities for qualified sonographers are abundant.
Excellent Salaries
The average annual pay for diagnostic medical sonographers is $77,170 nationally with experienced sonographers earning over $90,000. St. Louis offers competitive earning potential.
Rewarding Direct Patient Care
Sonographers enjoy substantial interaction with patients during scans. Building rapport and having an impact through accurate diagnoses can be extremely rewarding.
Flexible Work Options
Full-time and part-time sonography roles are widely available in clinics, hospitals, private practices and other settings with options to specialize or rotate through different areas.
Pathway to Advancement
With additional training and qualifications, sonographers can advance into specialized modalities, teaching positions, administrative roles, research and more.
Top Sonography Programs in St. Louis
St. Louis offers many high quality sonography programs ranging from shorter certificate courses to bachelor‘s degrees. When researching programs, be sure to consider factors like:
- Program types and sonography concentrations available
- Degree/certificate awarded upon graduation
- Program length and structure
- Clinical experience and externship training
- Reputation and accreditation status
- Faculty qualifications
- On-campus services and facilities
- Funding options and tuition fees
- Success rates and graduate career outcomes
To help compare top options in St. Louis, here is an overview:
Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
- Degree Types: Bachelor‘s
- Concentrations: General/Vascular Sonography
- Program Length: 4 years
- Clinicals: 1,000+ hour integrated externship
- Certifications: RDMS/RVT eligible
- Notable Facts: #1 nursing school in St. Louis, $45M+ state-of-the-art simulation training center
St. Louis Community College – Forest Park
- Degree Types: Associate‘s
- Concentrations: General Sonography
- Program Length: 2 years
- Clinicals: 1,680-hour integrated clinical
- Certifications: RDMS eligible
- Notable Facts: Largest community college in Missouri, guaranteed interview for waitlist students meeting criteria
Missouri College
- Degree Types: Bachelor‘s/Associate‘s
- Concentrations: General, Cardiac, Vascular Sonography
- Program Length: 27 or 5 months
- Clinicals: 1,680-hour externship
- Certifications: RDMS/RVT/RCDS eligible
- Notable Facts: Baccalaureate program includes 16-week cardiac specialty, financial aid available
Southwestern Illinois College
- Degree Types: Associate‘s
- Concentrations: General Sonography
- Program Length: 2 years
- Clinicals: 1,260-hour clinical rotations
- Certifications: RDMS eligible
- Notable Facts: Special application process, high graduate employment rates
Maryville University
- Degree Types: Bachelor‘s
- Concentrations: General, Cardiac, Vascular Sonography
- Program Length: 4 years
- Clinicals: 1,680-hour clinical rotations
- Certifications: RDMS/RVT/RCDS eligible
- Notable Facts: Entry-level bachelor‘s program, state-of-the-art simulation center
How to Choose the Right Sonography Program
With multiple quality programs available, selecting the best sonography program for your needs requires some reflection on personal factors:
Career Goals and Interests
Think about what drew you to sonography and whether you want to specialize in a particular concentration like OB-GYN, cardiac or vascular ultrasound. This can dictate program choice.
Ideal Pace and Schedule
Accelerated programs get you scanning patients quicker, while bachelor‘s degrees allow more flexibility. Determine your ideal program length and structure.
Budget and Funding Options
Compare program costs and determine if you require financial assistance. Many qualify for federal aid, private loans or program-specific scholarships.
Personality Fit
Consider whether you prefer smaller cohorts for personalized attention or larger networks of peers. Also important is supportive faculty focused on student success.
By weighing program differences against your career aspirations, needs and personality, the pathway to sonography career success will become clear.
Career Outlook for Sonographers in Missouri
The job growth outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers in Missouri mirrors positive national trends:
- Projected Missouri Job Growth 2020-2030: ~17% increase or 330 additional positions^1^
- Average Annual Salary in 2021: $69,840^2^
- Top Employing Industries in 2021:
- Hospitals: 59%
- Physician offices: 15%
- Medical/diagnostic labs: 9%^3^
With an aging population and expansion of ultrasound services, robust demand is expected for qualified sonographers in hospitals, clinics and imaging centers across Missouri.
Graduating from a reputable St. Louis sonography program puts you on the path to secure a rewarding patient care role with robust earning potential over 65k.
A Day in the Life of a Sonographer
A typical day-in-the-life for a diagnostic medical sonographer varies based on their practice setting and specialty but often includes responsibilities like:
- Preparing examination rooms with necessary equipment
- Reviewing patient medical history and previous imaging as applicable
- Explaining procedures to patients and answering questions
- Selecting transducer types, adjusting device settings and parameters
- Conducting thorough scans using ultrasound gel to obtain optimal images
- Analyzing images to identify anatomical structures and abnormalities
- Documenting thorough reports on findings for the overseeing physician
- Maintaining strict patient confidentiality and privacy standards
- Performing proper equipment cleaning/disinfection procedures
- Participating in quality assurance activities
Sonographers must be adept at producing clear images to enable accurate diagnoses while providing excellent bedside patient care.
Obtaining Certification to Work as a Sonographer
While individual state laws vary, most employers require sonographers to hold professional credentials demonstrating their scanning competency. There are several leading sonography certification examinations:
ARDMS Exams
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) offers credentials like Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) for general ultrasound and specialty certifications in OB-GYN, abdomen, breast, fetal echocardiography and more. Missouri does not require licensure but many employers prefer ARDMS credentials.
CCI Exams
Offered by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) and Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) certifications demonstrate cardiac and vascular competencies specifically.
Reputable sonography programs will include exam preparation and college administers the tests shortly before graduation. Passing an ARDMS, CCI or other recognized national exam should be a top priority.
Insider Tips to Launch Your Sonography Career
Here is some expert advice for prospective sonography students to gain the most from their program and make yourself competitive entering the job market:
- Secure strong letters of recommendation – Academic and clinical supervisors carry weight conveying your abilities to employers.
- Engage meaningfully during clinical rotations – Take initiative, ask questions and seek out learning experiences that will aid professional growth.
- Create a portfolio – Assemble quality sample images and small case reports demonstrating knowledge.
- Pursue specialty training – Cardiac and vascular specialty experience can increase appeal.
- Earn additional certifications – Trainings in stress echo, pediatrics, breast ultrasound etc. enhance versatility
- Consider relocation – Expand job search nationwide and utilize placement services from your sonography program and professional associations.
The number of exciting sonography career roads will expand by setting yourself up for success. Determine your goals and remain open to possibilities.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center Projections
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates