Ultrasound Technician Schools in West Virginia - WV
Employers in West Virginia generally prefer to hire specialized ultrasound technicians to ensure the highest level of accuracy in practice. Any national certification agency that registers ultrasound technicians will often offer additional certification in specialized areas. According to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS), the seven areas of specialization are:
- Abdomen
- Ophthalmology
- Breast
- Neurosonography
- Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Vascular technology
- Echocardiography
By graduating from either campus based programs or online sonography schools, the next generation of West Virginia’s ultrasound techs in Huntington, Parkersburg, Charleston and Wheeling, can prepare themselves for careers at some of the top hospitals in the country including Wheeling Hospital, Saint Mary's Medical Center, Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital, and Ruby Memorial Hospital. Students interested in becoming an ultrasound technician in West Virginia are expected and sometimes required to complete education courses in order to gain acceptance into an accredited training program. Some of these courses include:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Algebra
- Physics
- Medical terminology
- Communication
The education of an ultrasound technician in West Virginia does not stop at employment or certification. Employers routinely advise employees to stay current with the trends and innovations of the ultrasound field. National certification agencies also use education as a cornerstone of career development by requiring the completion of continuing medical education (CME) credits. CME credits requirements change from agency to agency, but each provides ways to accrue credits/hours such as:
- Lectures
- Self-instructional education
- Online courses
- Professional seminars
- Volunteer hours