People who live in Colorado Springs, Colorado say they wouldn’t live anywhere else. Located at the foot of Pikes Peak, the city has a fascinating history that includes an eclectic mix of “Wild West,” Native American culture, and military installations. It is also one of the most picturesque areas in the country and offers a wide range of outdoor activities including skiing, horse riding and hiking. Diagnostic medical sonographers in Colorado Springs play an important role in helping residents maintain good health.
Sonography Education in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Students seeking the best sonography education, to qualify for the best ultrasound jobs, must attend a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). Scholarships can help pay for the cost of the program, if needed. CAAHEP-accredited programs have didactic and clinical training requirements that ensure students get the best education possible.
As of 2014, the closest accredited medical sonography certificate program to Colorado Springs is offered at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, Colorado, which is only 70 miles from Colorado Sprgs. The certificate program offers a general concentration. The closest CAAHEP-accredited degree program is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which is approximately 169 miles from Colorado Springs. Laramie County Community College offers an Associate’s degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a general concentration. There are almost 50,000 students who attend school at institutions of higher education in Colorado Springs. That number includes 31,000 students enrolled in Colorado Technical University Online.
Salary and Job Outlook for Sonographers in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Diagnostic medical sonographers are well paid in Colorado Springs and above the national average for this occupation. The Colorado Springs median annual salary for sonographers as of May 2013, according to the federal government, was $73,980 or $35.57 per hour. This is a 10 percent higher rate compared to the national rate of $67,170 for the same time period. To qualify for most jobs you need to have ARDMS certification.
Colorado Springs has one of the strongest economies and job markets in the country, and that includes the health care industry. There is a network of hospitals and clinics, and Memorial Hospital serves as a regional center for neonatal intensive care and high-risk pregnancies. Online job placement services always have dozens of ultrasound tech positions available at any one time, indicating a strong demand for sonographers. With the improving economy, the expansion of medical centers, and the implementation of national health care, future job prospects are extremely bright.
A list of the best schools to study diagnostic medical sonography in and near Colorado Springs CO
2 cities near Colorado Sprgs., CO with accredited ultrasound programs in 2014. Since the western US, including Colorado, has large tracts of land with mountains, deserts, and other uninhabitable spaces, there is a great distance between many cities. For this reason, there are not as many options for students who want to travel to school from home.
School Name: University of Colorado Hospital
City: Denver
State: Colorado
Contact Person: Emily M. Downs
Contact phone: (720) 848-1872
Program: Certificate Program
Accreditation: Accredited by CAAHEP
School Name: Laramie County Community College
Address: 1400 East College Drive, WY – 82007
City: Cheyenne
State: Wyoming
Contact person: Kelly Wright
Contact phone: (307) 778-1292
Program: Associate Degree
Accreditation: Accredited by CAAHEP