Medical Sonography
By Lainey Sandborg
Overview
Skills and Abilities
Working Conditions, Wages and Outlook
The median wage for a sonographer in Minnesota is about $73,500 a year, and the U.S. median is $66,410. Employment outlook for sonographers in Minnesota is about 31.1%, and in the U.S. is about 46.1%.
Related Occupations and Programs of Study
Related programs of study are anatomy, Medical Imaging Technology, Physics, Physiology, and Polysomnography.
Medical Imaging Technology
Overview
Program Admission
Typical Course Work and Related Programs
Medical Ethics and Law, Trigonometry, Psychology, Medical Imaging Review, Radio-graphic Positioning, Surgical, Trauma, and Mobile Radiography.
Related programs are:
Anatomy, Medical Assisting, Radiation Therapy, Ultrasound and Sonography Technology, Polysomnography.
Schools that offer this Program
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University
Size of Nearest City- 63,800 people
Type of school- Urban, Public, Co-ed 4 year college
Admission Requirements
The Admission Tests that are required for students to take to be able to get into SCSU are the ACT and SAT.
The average ACT test score for a student to be accepted into SCSU is a 21. Students have to have a GPA of at least 2.0 or higher, to also be accepted.
Expenses
The application fee to apply at SCSU is $20.
Financial Aid
The required forms that are needed for financial aid are the FAFSA, and SAR.
Scholarships that are available at St. Cloud are Financial Aid, School Sponsored Scholarships, and Need-based Scholarships.
Housing and Activities
Activities include clubs and organizations like Student government, orchestra, drama, and radio station. Greek life that is available are national or local fraternities, and national or local sororities.
Athletics and intramurals that are available are volleyball, wrestling, dance, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, and football.
Some other things that you can get involved with on campus are job fairs, the career library, and career counseling.
Informational Interview
Questions
Q-- Briefly record your thoughts and feelings about the workplace and the person you just visited.
A-- I think that this interview was a great way of getting insight for me, since I want to be working in the healthcare setting. It was very laid back, and I thought it went great.
Q-- What did you learn in the interview?
A-- I learned a lot of things that I didn't know already. One thing I learned was that nurses have the majority say in what goes to benefit the patient the most.
Q-- What did you like? What didn't you like?
A-- I liked learning that you get to know your patients very well, and that you get to have a good type of relationship with them. I didn't like learning that you will have to be the person to give them bad news when it's necessary.
Q-- Did you uncover concerns or advantages to this occupation?
A-- The career changes everyday with new technology, standards of care, and new laws.
Q-- What advice did you receive?
A-- Go to college for 4 years instead of 2, and work any job that you care for people, because you will need experience to know if this job is for you or not.
Q-- Did you discover another occupation to explore?
A-- Social work.
Q-- How was the work environment?
A-- Very respectful.
Q-- Do you think you would be happy in this occupation?
A-- I think I would, but also would not be happy in this occupation. I would be happy because I would be getting to help people, and I wouldn't be happy because I really want to be an Ultrasound Technician.