DO NOT GO TO ULTRASOUND SCHOOL UNACCREDITED BY CAAHEP!!!!

Well, it's been about 5 months now since I finish my externship and all I am able to get is crappy per-diem jobs working for cheap doctors and imaging clinics. And believe me I have fax my resume and made calls to about 100 different facility,clinics, and hospitals. Right now, I am getting only about 15 hours of work a week since these cheap doctors and clinics can't afford to hire a full time tech. At the rate I am going it will take me close to 3 years to be eligible to sit for my ARDMS. I talk to them and they told me I have to document a full 1680 hours of work as an ultrasound tech, since the school I went to is not accredited and also because I don't have my bachelors. Don't let these fraudgelent schools fool you with the old "You just have to work a year first then you can sit for your ARDMS" prep talk to get you to enroll in their school because, NO HOSPITAL WILL HIRE YOU OR EVEN LOOK AT YOUR RESUME WITHOUT YOUR ARDMS!! Maybe 3 or 4 years ago it was different and you can get jobs in hospital without your ARDMS but times have change and pretty much every hospital I talk to requires it. Funny how the school never mention anything about this. Hope this helps someone before they get into the dilemma that I am in:(

If you don't mind me asking, but what school did you attend for your ultrasound program?

NDL in Duarte, California said: If you don't mind me asking, but what school did you attend for your ultrasound program?

Hey NDL, I went to ATI College located in Norwalk. From what I hear they also have a branch in Tustin as well. Buy yeha, if you don't already have your bachelors then I suggest you stay FAR FAR away from schools unaccredited by the CAAHEP. Hope this helps.....

I also went to ATI in Miami. What a joke. Half of the instructors left during the program. Others were very incompetant to teach ultrasound. Only two people out of my class got a job. I was fortunate to get a job but it was in another state. I had to leave my husband and my daughter just to get a job. ATI will not tell you that 99% of the students do not get jobs after paying over $34,000 for an education. You also have to work full time for one year before you are eligible to sit for the ARDMS exam. That is if you can find a job first. I am warning anyone who is thinking of ATI because you will be wasting a ton of money not to mention you probably won't get a job. They also only do 300 plus hours of clinical time. The accredited schools do at least 1,000 hours and you are much more prepared to go out in the field. ATI is a scam and they should be shut down!!!!!

i was thinking about going to an ultrasound school close to my home, but it is not CAAHEP accredited. after hearing alot about problems finding a job after graduation i'm having serious second thoughts. if anyone has any extra info about this please let me know
thanks

You need to stay far away from the nonaccredited schools. They are a rip off. You pay so much for the education and the schooling is terrible. They only do a few hundred clinical hours instead of over 1,000 that the accredited schools do. You really need the clinical experience in ultrasound. It is a very challenging field. You must know your anatomy and pathology inside and out. You have to work for one year full-time to be eligible to sit for the registry. That is if you can find a job. Most hospitals will not hire you from a nonaccredited school. There is usually a long waiting list for the accredited schools, but it will be worth it in the long run.
DO NOT GO TO AN UNACCREDITED SCHOOL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you for your reply, i'm hearing this more and more

Sanford-Brown Institute is accredited by CAAHEP. Im thinking about going to be an Ultra Sound Tech....Any advice??

I know the Sanford Brown in south Florida is not CAAHEP accredited. They have to work for one year to be eligible to sit for the registry. The tuition is very high from what I hear. Your best bet is to go to a community college. They are much less expensive and you can sit for the registry right out of school. They also do a lot of clinical time. A lot fo these private schools are ripping people off and not preparing the students properly to work in this field. Before you sign up to any school, do your research thoroughly so you know what you are getting into. Many students in Fl that went to Sanford Brown cannot find jobs out of school because they are not RDMS registered.

Thanks! The problem with our community college (HCC) is you must have 2 years completed in a health education program to start Sonography classes, as to Sanford-Brown you can start immediately.

There are some private schools that are CAAHEP accredited. Look up online which other schools in your area are accredited. I have been there done that. I had to move to another state just to get a job in ultrasound. I have made so many sacrifices just to pursue this career because I chose the wrong school. I did not do enough research before hand. I did not want to go to x-ray school at the community college before ultrasound either. All I know is the people that went through the community college found jobs right out of school with no problem. They sat for the registry right away. Trying to find a place to hire you without coming from an accredited school and not being registered is VERY difficult. I just don't want anyone else to have to go through what I have been through. I wish someone would have told me beforehand.

Could you give some advice as to how you even got a job out of state? I am looking everywhere as well....but no luck.

Try career builder, monster.com and indeed.com. You should apply to all of the jobs in other states that you qualify for. You can also search the hospital websites in each state to see what jobs are available.
How long have you been out of school? Do you have your ARDMS?

Anybody knows about West Cost Ultrasound Institute in Beverly Hills? It is not CAAHEP-accredited. But, since I have a BS degree, I will be able to take the ARDMS test. I guess that if I am fortunate enough to pass, CAAHEP-accredited or not doesn't matter?

even if you have a bachelors you still need 12 months of full time clinical experience in order to take ARDMS. DO I understand it correctly?

kathy in Wallingford, Connecticut said: even if you have a bachelors you still need 12 months of full time clinical experience in order to take ARDMS. DO I understand it correctly?

No, please go to www.ardms.org/downloads/Prerequisite_Chart.pdf.

kathy in Wallingford, Connecticut said: even if you have a bachelors you still need 12 months of full time clinical experience in order to take ARDMS. DO I understand it correctly?

Kathy, I believe you have miss interpret the prerequisite 3A under the ARDMS eligibility list, as many including myself have. They really need to revise that portion on their list, as many people are also confused. I called them directly and they said that if you already have your bachelors degree(in any major), then you can use your completion of an ultrasound program that is a minimum of 12 months long to fulfill the requirements that is listed under prerequisite 3A as
Bachelors(any major)+ "12 months of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular experience". I know it's still confusing, but they assured me that the 12 or 24 months ultrasound program, whether accredited or not,does not matter as long as you have your bachelors degree then you can sit for your ARDMS right after graduation. If you want to reassured yourself then contact them 800-541-9754. They are really nice people and will answer any remaining questions you have. Hope this helps.

wei in Van Nuys, California said: Anybody knows about West Cost Ultrasound Institute in Beverly Hills? It is not CAAHEP-accredited. But, since I have a BS degree, I will be able to take the ARDMS test. I guess that if I am fortunate enough to pass, CAAHEP-accredited or not doesn't matter?

Wei, to answer your question obviously student from an CAAHEP accredited school will have an advantage over ones from an unaccredited program. The truth is big hospitals MAJOR concern is the ARDMS license. Once you have your license most hospitals won't care what school you went to as long as you can demonstrate your ability to scan(When they call you for an interview thats the first thing they wanna see is your scanning technique). Make sure the school you attend will guarantee you a good externship at a hospital or imaging center that gives you PLENTY of hands on scanning time, because trust me the people you scan in the real world is nothing like the students you scan at school. Also, make sure you get a minimum of 500 hours on your exernship, since this will at least give you the confidence to scan and recognize most of the major pathologies that you will see in the ultrasound field. Yes, I know students from accredited programs do over 1000 hours rotating at major hospitals, but believe me I've met a few techs from accredited programs who in my opinion are BAD sonographers. The reason why 99 percent of the hospitals won't hire a tech without their ARDMS license is because 1) It's a MAJOR liability to them since a lot of insurance company these days won't pay for the ultrasound scan, if they find out that the tech that perform the scan is not ARDMS license 2)Having your license proves to them that you possess at least the minimum requirements for working in the field. Hopes this helps.

Thank you very much, James! Do you have any recommendations on the sonography programs in the great LA area?

Hi,

I am in the process of preparing for my ARDMS- in OB/Gyn, please let me know what is the best study material to be well prepared for the exam.
1) Which text book ?
2)Which Practise exam material?

Please reply at the earliest convenience.

Thanks

Can anyone suggest an accredited school in Palm Beach County? Any suggestions on financing options?

Palm Beach Community College and Keiser College are both accredited programs.
You have to go through x-ray school first at PBCC unless you have a Bachelor's Degree. Keiser is a two year program but have you a bunch of prerequisets to take before entering the program.
Good Luck

Can someone suggest a cuny accredited school in new york. Im having trouble finding a school. NYU offers sonography program but the tuition is too expensive for me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated =D

Thanks

Can someone tell me any experience they have had with Institute of Allied Medical Professions in ny & queens?

any input would be great

DO NOT GO TO SANFORD BROWN FOR ANYTHING it is a waste of money and time they say u can go right away then they make you pay 14 grand for medical assistant school before they will let you in for ultrasound... then it 30 grand more for ultrasound..... but they tell you u can only go into cardiovascular ultrasound if you want the other kind you need yet more college credits....... so in other words they RIP U OFF amd the teachers know nothing

Can someone tell me any experience they have had with Sandford-Brown Institute, Atlanta GA. I'm planning to take Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. I checked there are CAAHEP accredited. but they toll me before I take this program I need to take Medical Assistant first because I don't have any medical backgrown and I don't have bachelor degree. but I checked the Medical Assistant program they have is not CAAHEP accredited.

any input would be greatly appreciated.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

I also went to Sandford-Brown Institute formally UDS, then I went to college to get my bachlor's. And I still can't get any help getting to sit for my boards. I call the school to help me thru the paper work but they don't do that. Any information will be GREAT

Have you called the ARDMS directly to find out exactly what paperwork is needed?I know these non accredited schools don't want to do anything to help you out except steal money from you.

hi,

can someone suggest me an ultrasound school in iselin new jersy.

thanks.

the sanford brown institute is in Iselan and its suppossed to be the best tech school around

Hi-- I went for an interview at Sanford Brown in Westchester, NY -- Those who haven't had experience with patients for 2 years MUST take their medical assistant class which is 12,000. Then you are eligible for the Ultrasound class which is another 33,000. RIP OFF. don't go there. I currently work in a hospital and spoke to an ultrasound technician that attended the school, she said it was horrible.

There is another school called the Institute of Allied Medical Professions. (www.iamp.edu). They have several different locations-- Westchester County, NY; New York, NY; Atlanta,Georgia. The program is 16 months and it costs $25,000. I will be starting in July. Go to the website and check out them out. I spoke to another Ultrasound technician here at the hospital and she recommends it!

Recently they changed the requirements to take the ARDMS. If you don't have a bachelors degree, you CANNOT sit for the registry exam until you work for a year as an ultrasound technician in a patient setting. This doesn't make a difference if the school is accredited or not!

if there is anybody in miami,fl that is interested in Diagnostic Medical Sonography the best place to get your education would be Miami Dade College Medical Campus. Other then that all other tech schools are rip off's!!!

Having a bachelor's and going to Sanford Brown formally UDS, I still can't sit for my boards.

What is the difference between Accrredited by CAAHEP and ABHES????

Jenn, dahlonega in Duluth, Georgia said: What is the difference between Accrredited by CAAHEP and ABHES????

Tech Schools/ Private Universities has to have some kind of accredidation. Think about it what school can run without some type of license to operate? With that being said look below:

ABHES (Accreditting Bureau OF Health Education Schools)

CAAHEP ( Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs)

From my past experince when a school is ABHES it only means that the school has some kind of accredidation. But the programs the school's teach are not accredited. Therefore when you go look for a job you either get stuck not finding one. Or you'll have to settle for what ever is offered. CAAHEP is recognized by all major health care providers. Hope this helps!!

vanessa in Miami, Florida said: Tech Schools/ Private Universities has to have some kind of accredidation. Think about it what school can run without some type of license to operate? With that being said look below:

ABHES (Accreditting Bureau OF Health Education Schools)

CAAHEP ( Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs)

From my past experince when a school is ABHES it only means that the school has some kind of accredidation. But the programs the school's teach are not accredited. Therefore when you go look for a job you either get stuck not finding one. Or you'll have to settle for what ever is offered. CAAHEP is recognized by all major health care providers. Hope this helps!!

Thank you vanessa in Miami, Florida

I suppose to start school next month and I just find out the program I'm going to take NOW is not Accredited by CAAHEP but is under ABHES. and I went to school to see the student adviser and he told me that is not important to be accredited by CAAHEP for Medical Assistant in intention to take DMS because the DMS program there have is accredited by CAAHEP. but my hearth did not except that. so I confuse!!

Does anyone know of any schools in the sarasota florida area for sonography?

www.caahep.org/Find_An_Accredited_Program.aspx

go to link above then use the “search function” provided and fill the colum
Profession Name:
Concentration:
State:
Search in:

to find the school near to you

there is 10 school in Florida provide Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program which accredited by CAAHEP

Can anyone tell me of any ultrasound programs in northern california that will accept me at my current status... I have completed and recieved my AA in liberal Arts, i haven't (have NOT) taken any addition science classes such as anatomy and physiology because i didnt know until now that ultrasound is what i want to do. I have been searching and have had no luck finding many schools in the bay area particularly. Most of the schools ive come across while researching are in southern california. The one or two schools that i have found will not accept me without previous allied health experience...i was unaware that this was such a hard program to find schooling for. To be more specific i live in Antioch, CA which is 45 minutes from San Francisco. Anywhere in between would be ok.

What's the opinion on attending an unaccredited program if you have your bachelors degree already? I graduate Saturday with my undergrad and I'm looking at Ultrasound (as I have for several years simply b/c of job stabliity and demand). I don't know where to get money for school either since I've taken the maximum amount of federal funds so I can get federal loans. Anyone know what my options are? I can borrow money without a co-signer.

KATIE421 in NY. I know of a SUNY school that offers a B.A. in Sonography. But you have to have 60 credits to get into that program as a third year student, and most of the credits have to be in the science field...a year of A&P, a semester of chemistry, a semester of physics, a semester of pyschology, and a semester of college level math. I'm not sure where in NY you are located, but the school I am referring to is SUNY Downstate in I believe Crown Heights in Brooklyn. I know that NYU is really expensive, but @ SUNY Downstate, it's only $181 per credit, or only $2,200 a semester if you are planning on going full-time.

As for Sanford Brown...stay away from that school. You could go online and type in "REVIEWS ON SANFORD BROWN" and you will come back with tons of negative feed back about that school.

I hope this helped. Good Luck!!! :o)

WOW!!! I WAS GONNA GO TO ATI COLLEGE FOR ULTRASOUND TECH...BUT NOW AFTER READING ALL OF THIS,,,I WONT, NOW I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO....

JAMES, DO YOU KNOW ANY ''COLLEGE'' WITH CAAHEP ?

ATI College of Health is the biggest scam around next to Sanford Brown. I believe their tuition is up to about $45,000 now. It is not even worth $1,000.
I wish I had done more research before attending that piece of crap school. When I finally realized how bad it was, it was too late. The other schools have a long waiting list to get into. I think that is why so many people ended up going to ATI. I only know two people out of almost 100 that have jobs in ultrasound. They are involved in a class action lawsuit to try to get their money back. It is really ashame that they can steal your money and give a you such a bad education. Not to mention the very limited hours of clinical time. Also, they do not have hospitals to use for clinicals. You either have to find your own site or they can put you at an abortion clinic to learn. It is an absolute joke!!!!!!! I am hoping they will be shut down soon before anyone else gets involved with that school.

Lisa, why can not you sit for ARDMS having a bachelor's?

Hi,

I'm Looking for reference material for the OB/Gyn RDMS exam, any advice.

nancy1126 in Florida said: There are some private schools that are CAAHEP accredited. Look up online which other schools in your area are accredited. I have been there done that. I had to move to another state just to get a job in ultrasound. I have made so many sacrifices just to pursue this career because I chose the wrong school. I did not do enough research before hand. I did not want to go to x-ray school at the community college before ultrasound either. All I know is the people that went through the community college found jobs right out of school with no problem. They sat for the registry right away. Trying to find a place to hire you without coming from an accredited school and not being registered is VERY difficult. I just don't want anyone else to have to go through what I have been through. I wish someone would have told me beforehand.

same here, your exactly right. The school I went to had a 15 month program but it wasnt accredited. I didnt know how important accreditation was such I a big deal until I graduated. After 6 months, I still havent found a job

Hi, I am sorry that you haven't found a job being out of school for six months. Where did you go to school? I had to move to another state just to get a job. I have been working for almost six months and have six more months to go before I can sit for the registry.

If you read the prerequisite chart that hads the education woth just a Bachelor's degree you also need months of full time clinical. Even with the non-accredited ultrasound school and my Bachelor I still can't find work or sit for my boards.

Lisa,

What school did you go to and in what state?