6 Best Ultrasound Technician Schools in Tennessee – 2024
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Looking for a high-paying job in Tennessee’s healthcare sector that doesn’t involve the bedside? Investigate one of the many ultrasound technician programs in Tennessee. Ultrasound techs in the Volunteer State have a positive impact on the patients they serve, but they don’t provide direct care. Employment opportunities in Tennessee are expected to soar by more than 28 percent in the next 10 years, and ultrasound techs in the Volunteer State earn $71,280 annually on average. As an ultrasound technician, you can go on to specialize in mammography, cardiovascular sonography, OB/GYN sonography, or other specialties. Sound intriguing? Learn more by reviewing the 6 best ultrasound technician schools in Tennesee for 2024.
RECOMMENDED ONLINE HEALTHCARE SCHOOLS
WHAT ARE THE BEST ULTRASOUND TECHNICIAN PROGRAMS IN TENNESSEE?
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, below are the 6 best Ultrasound Technician programs in Tennessee. The list includes both campus-based and online programs.)
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a renowned healthcare provider in Nashville. This medical center was established in 1874, and it also provides quality ultrasound technician education. Being one of the largest academic medical centers in the Southeast, sonography students can expect the best research facilities and clinical experiences at VUMC.
To help you become an ultrasound technician in Tennessee, VUMC offers an 18-month certificate program in general sonography. It is basically for individuals who hold an associate or bachelors in any allied healthcare field or have a bachelor’s degree in any field. This 2295-clock hour curriculum covers a wide range of imaging areas such as abdomen, OB/GYN, vascular, echocardiography, genetic screening, and infertility medicine. The core curriculum which will include classroom learning and clinical training is divided into six rotations – 11 weeks for the first rotation and 12 weeks each for the next five rotations. For each rotation, you will be required to spend approximately 33 hours every week.
2) South College – Knoxville & Nashville
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Associate &
Baccalaureate
Founded in 1882, South College is committed to providing career-centered education to make a significant impact on the professional lives of aspiring ultrasound technicians. The college is equipped with the latest technology and excellent laboratories that provide for scanning practice sessions.
SC offers two types of degrees in DMS to prepare you for a career as a sonographer in a variety of settings. Both programs are a combination of classroom learning and clinical training at various sites across the region.
Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: You can earn this degree with 27 months of full-time study. Post-completion of the 119-credit hour curriculum you can either take up a job as an entry-level sonographer or continue your education with the bachelor’s degree program and make yourself more capable.
Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a Concentration in Diagnostic Medical Sonography: This 42-month program prepares you with the skills and knowledge to take up leadership roles and successfully manage imaging departments at various health care settings. The 191-credit hour curriculum is focused on providing a well-rounded education where you will not only learn how to operate ultrasound machines but will also gain knowledge of financial and informational systems involved in managing an imaging department.
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Bachelors
Located in Memphis, Baptist College of Health Sciences offers ultrasound technician education that is based on the Christian values of compassion and service to the community. Small sized classes and a caring environment help students achieve optimum academic potential. With extensive clinical experiences being part of the training, students are ready to take up various challenging positions such as lead sonographers, managers and faculty, soon after graduation.
BCHS offers a six-trimester ultrasound technician program in TN. It is a mix of classroom lectures, hands-on lab training, online instruction, and clinical practicum. This rigorous 126-credit hour curriculum comprises of sonography courses in abdominal, general, OB/GYN, vascular and adult echocardiography. You will also learn about neurosonology and the principles of ultrasound. Your classroom learning will be for two days a week, and clinical rotations will require 16 to 32 hours each week. Your laboratory training will be twice a week for the first five trimesters and once a week in the final or sixth trimester. Graduates will be eligible to take any of the national credentialing examinations administered by the ARDMS.
4) Chattanooga State Community College - Chattanooga
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate (
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) &
Cardiovascular Sonography)
Chattanooga State Community College’s excellent facilities such as modern classrooms and latest labs enhance the learning experience of sonography students. The college is armed with a faculty that strives for the positive academic outcome of each student. Equipped with technical and clinical skills, students are ready to take on the challenges that come with a career in diagnostic medical sonography.
Chattanooga State offers a certificate program with two different tracks to choose from -
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Ultrasound and
Cardiovascular Sonography. This program is for individuals who hold a minimum associate degree in any patient care field. Both these 40-credit hour tracks start once a year in fall and will take you 1-year to complete. Apart from extensive classroom learning, you will undergo clinical training based on the track you choose at various health care settings in the region.
ARDMS Certification Exams
Graduates of the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Ultrasound track can sit for the SPI exam and the specialty exams in OB/GYN, and abdomen.
Graduates of the cardiovascular sonography track will be eligible to take the SPI exam and the specialty exams in echocardiography and vascular technology.
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate
Volunteer State Community College prepares sonography students with the professional skills, knowledge, and behavior to excel in their respective jobs. Graduates are known to be compassionate and competent healthcare providers who work hand in hand with other members of a patient-care team.
The DMS technical certificate program offered at Vol State is designed for those who possess a degree in any of the allied health care careers and are looking to make an entry into the sonography field. This 16-month program is divided into four terms. The curriculum is a combination of in-class studies and clinical training for five days/40 hours per week. Your clinical rotations will take place in any of the 40 hospitals or medical centers in the Gallatin or Nashville region, located within 80-mile radius of the main campus.
Admission applications can be submitted anytime between 1st January and 1st May of each year and the classes begin in fall. This cohort program accepts only up to 16 students per year.
Accreditation: CAAHEP
Program Type: Certificate
Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare is a private teaching hospital and home to state-of-the-art facilities, latest medical equipment, and best minds in the healthcare industry. Sonography students benefit from this interdisciplinary medical environment, developing critical thinking, evidence-based decision making, and communication skills.
Methodist Healthcare offers two sonography certificate programs with a combination of didactic learning and clinical training under the supervision of experienced diagnostic medical sonographers. Admission is competitive, and only a small number of students are selected every year. To apply for either of these programs, you need to have a 2-year allied health medical education degree (clinical training included) and hold an active license in a patient care related field.
General Sonography: This 15-month program is focused on abdominal imaging, OB and GYN imaging, and imaging of the superficial structures. As part of the overall curriculum, you will also receive exposure to vascular imaging.
Cardiac Sonography: This is also a 15-month program, dedicated to concentrated studies in adult echocardiography (heart sonography).
Upon successful completion of either of these programs, you can choose to sit for the certification exams administered by ARDMS and become a registered sonography practitioner.
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