SAN MATEO, Calif., June 6, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The health care industry will create millions of new jobs in the next eight years, and health education institutions across the U.S. are offering one- and two-year training programs to prepare students for a variety of health care occupations.
As the largest industry in 2004, health care provided 13.5 million jobs. Of the 20 occupations projected to grow the fastest, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, eight are in health care.
HealthCareers.net is a new information portal designed to help students learn about a variety of health care occupations, potential earnings in health care, and educational institutions across the U.S. that offer accredited training programs. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is one of the health care occupations fully described and indexed for training programs on the web site.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs are designed to prepare students for a dynamic career in the growing field of diagnostic medical sonography. As the population grows and ages, the demand for diagnostic medical sonographers will continue to grow. Job opportunities are predicted be favorable, as sonography is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radiological procedures (see note).
Diagnostic imaging is a critical procedure that aids in diagnosing ailments. Diagnostic medical sonographers may specialize in gynecological sonography (the female reproductive system), abdominal sonography (the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen and pancreas), neurosonography (the brain), or breast sonography.
Sonographers train in hospitals, vocational-technical institutions, colleges and universities, and the Armed Forces. While no state requires licensure in diagnostic medical sonography, organizations such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certify the competency of sonographers through a registration process.
Colleges and universities offer formal training in both two- and four-year programs, culminating in an associate or a bachelor's degree. Two-year programs are most prevalent. Course work includes classes in anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, basic physics, patient care, and medical ethics.
Median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers were $52,490 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $44,720 and $61,360 a year.
About HealthCareers.net
Healthcareers.net is an educational resource designed to appeal to secondary-school graduates contemplating entering the health care profession, current health care professionals wishing to improve their skills, and professionals considering switching to the health care field. Of the 20 occupations projected by the U.S. Department of Labor to grow the fastest through 2014, eight are in the health care industry. Being able to easily access information, educational resources, and training resources on health care careers will help meet the demand for health care workers.
Note: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos273.htm