AASU Ultrasound Program

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AASU Ultrasound Program

• Sabrina Tucker
• Kacey Morrison

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What is Ultrasound?

• An imaging modality using sound waves to evaluate
  specific internal organs, tissues, and blood flow
• Used to help in the diagnosis of diseases and
  other pathologies
• Assist radiologist with procedures

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Specialty Areas

• Abdomen
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Small Parts
• Breast
• Vascular
• Echocardiography

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Abdominal Ultrasound

• Liver
• Kidneys
• Pancreas
• Gallbladder
• Aorta
• Spleen
• Bladder

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OB/GYN Ultrasound

• Evaluation of female reproductive system
• Fetus 6 weeks until delivery

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Small Parts Ultrasound

• Thyroid
• Testicles
• Breast

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Breast Ultrasound

• Evaluates breast abnormalities such as lumps
  found by the patient or a doctor and abnormal
  areas found on a diagnostic mammogram

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Vascular Ultrasound

• Evaluation and analysis of the blood flow of
  peripheral and abdominal blood vessels
• Carotid Arteries
• External Carotid Artery feeds the face
• Internal Carotid Artery feeds the brain
• Venous Doppler
• Upper Extremities
• Lower Extremities
• Abdominal Doppler
• Portal Vein feeds to liver
• Renal Arteries

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Echocardiography

• Evaluation of the anatomy and blood flow of the
  heart, its valves and related blood vessels

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Armstrong Sonography Program Offers

• Abdomen
• OB/GYN

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Procedures

• Assist radiologists with the following
• Biopsy / Cyst Aspiration collect a tissue sample
  or fluid from a cyst or mass for diagnosis
• Liver
• Renal
• Thyroid
• Breast

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Procedures

• Assist radiologists with the following
• Paracentesis draining of fluid in abdominal
  cavity
• Thoracentesis draining of fluid in chest cavity
• Amniocentesis obtain a sample of amniotic fluid
  to test for fetal lung maturity or chromosomal
  anomalies

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Professional Responsibilities

• Acquiring an accurate patient history
• Obtaining required diagnostic images and
  assisting radiologists with diagnostic procedures
  
• Recognizing disease and taking the appropriate
  amount of images to help the radiologists make a
  diagnosis
• Providing quality patient care
• Working with physicians and other healthcare
  individuals to make a quick and thorough
  diagnosis

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Career Opportunities

• Hospitals
• Private practice physician offices
• Contract sonographer
• Traveling sonographer
• Educator

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Hospitals

• Ultrasound technologist in hospitals are
  responsible for abdominal, obstetrics, vascular,
  pediatric examinations, and special procedures.
• The average annual income for an ultrasound
  technologist in a hospital is 58,000.
• Some hospitals require their technologists be "on
  call". Usually workers receive time and a half
  for the hours put in on call.
• Typical hours consist of 32-40 hours a week. This
  is considered a full-time employee.

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Private Practice Physician Offices

• This organization practices obstetric and
  gynecological examinations. Some special
  procedures such as Amniocentesis, Dye Tests, and
  sonohysterograms are performed as well.
• The average annual income is around 50,000.
• Work hours vary. Private practices are usually
  open 3-5 days a week.

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Contract Sonographer

• A contract worker is someone who basically works
  for themselves and have their own ultrasound
  equipment to perform ultrasound examinations.
• The pay for a contract worker depends on what
  they charge per patient.  Obstetric ultrasounds
  tend to be more expensive than regular abdominal
  or vascular ultrasounds.  Contract workers have
  very good salaries.  They make between
  80,000-200,000.
• A contract worker gets to make their own
  schedule.  They can work however much they want
  depending on what kind of money they want to
  make.

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Traveling Sonographer

• A traveling sonographer is someone who travels to
  different places.  Usually, a place like a
  hospital or doctor's office will have the
  sonographer come and work between 12-18 weeks at
  a time.  After that time is up, the sonographer
  will move somewhere else and do the same.
• The pay for this type of occupation is
  excellent.  The range of pay is between
  75,000-150,000.
• Hours vary depending on the place the sonographer
  is working at the time.  Normally, they hold full
  time positions.

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Educator

• An educator is someone who teaches students to
  become skilled professional sonographers.
  Usually, this consists of an ultrasound program
  that a student must apply to and acquire
  acceptance. Universities offer a bachelors degree
  (AASU), and smaller schools offer a certificate.
• The pay ranges from 40,000-60,000 depending on
  the level of education by the educator.
• Typical hours are Monday-Friday 800am-500pm.

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What does Armstrong Atlantic State University
(AASU) Offer?

• AASU offers a baccalaureate degree in radiologic
  sciences specializing in diagnostic medical
  sonography.
• It takes four years to complete the program. The
  first two years consist of core curriculum that
  is required to become accepted into the program.
  
• Once accepted, the last two years prepare you to
  become a highly skilled diagnostic medical
  sonographer.
• The ultrasound program offers education on the
  specialty areas of abdomen, obstetrics/gynecology,
  and vascular.
• A combination of lecture courses and clinical
  experience is offered to ensure that students
  graduate from the program with the highest level
  of education and professionalism.

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What does Armstrong Atlantic State University
(AASU) Offer?

• AASU allows students to sit for the national
  credentialing certification exams (registry)
  after passing the exit examinations offered
  throughout the senior year.
• A student can sit for the registry as early as
  the fall semester of his/her senior year.
• An ultrasound student is allowed to sit for the
  physics, abdomen, and obstetrics/gynecology
  registries.

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How do I apply?

• Applicants are required to submit a formal
  application and transcripts of all college and
  technical school course work to the department.
  Participation in an interview may be necessary.
• The deadline for submission of all application
  items is November 1st.
• A new class begins in June (summer semester) each
  year.
• Applications will be considered on a competitive
  basis and written notification of acceptance will
  begin March 1st. The amount of completed course
  work, GPA, and the interview (if needed)
  determine competitiveness.
• Students are encouraged to begin taking related
  core courses (specifically the sciences) as soon
  as possible.

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Informative Websites

• http//www.radsci.armstrong.edu/
• http//my.rcampus.com/AASUUltrasound
• http//www.sdms.org
• http//www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm
• http//www.aium.org/
• http//www.ardms.org/
• http//www.ultrasoundjobs.com/
• http//www.ultrasoundcareers.org/
• http//www.sonographysessions.com/home.php
• http//www.sonoworld.com/