When Patty Braga began performing sonograms in 1978, they were little more than a black and white picture on a screen. But to health care professionals, they were a remarkable new technology.
“It was like wow! we can see a babys head,” says Braga. More than 25 years later, sonography has undergone many changes and is now a diagnostic tool that is used to produce many different images of the body. Much like x-rays show bones and MRIs show tendons and muscle, sonograms show soft tissue structures such as the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and aortas. They also provide unbelievably clear pictures of babies in utero.
Because of the increased usage of songraphy in the medical field, Palm Beach Community College added a sonography program to its curriculum in May of 2003. A diagnostic medical sonographer combines creativity and advanced technological ultrasound equipment to produce images of the body. Sonographers use high frequency sound waves to demonstrate body parts and assist physicians in the diagnosis of medical abnormalities.
The PBCC sonography program has two distinct courses of study: a two-year,72-credit associates degree and a 14-month, 42-credit certificate program that focuses on core sonography classes.
The associates degree is designed for those who have a health background from a hospital that was not part of a degree program. This path allows students to earn a 2-year degree and perhaps go on to earn additional degrees in the future. The certificate program is more for those with degrees and backgrounds in radiology or nursing that are seeking a career change. Program courses include anatomy & physiology, sonography, physics, psychology and a clinical rotation.
Braga, who is the assistant professor and program leader of the sonography program, says many students are seeing the opportunities sonography has to offer. “Nursing is such a demanding career and sonography is much less so. Many nurses with ob/gyn experience can get the sonography training and go to high-risk offices and do both nursing work and sonography work.”
PBCC decided to add sonography to its curriculum last year because local hospitals were demanding it, according to Braga. Much like with nursing, there is a critical shortage in the field of sonography also. In the past, sonography training was hospital based but due to increased costs, many of the programs were phased out. leaving a growing demand and fewer qualified workers.
“There is a huge demand for sonographers in Florida, and nationwide as well,” she says. “People are living longer and there is an influx of older people in Florida that are in need of care.”
The sonography program at PBCC is still in its infancy but has already graduated five students. Four of them had their jobs lined up before commencement and the fifth went right to work. Typically, sonographers work in hospitals or doctors offices but some choose the route of a traveling technician, going where their skills are needed. And due to the increase in demand for qualified sonographers, the earning potential can be limitless, Braga says.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment, the field of diagnostic medical sonographers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012 as the population grows and ages. Hospitals are expected to remain the principle employer of sonographers, however, the number of office jobs is expected to increase. Median annual earnings of diagnostic medical sonographers was $48,660 in 2002.
“Sonography is a rewarding and interesting job that pays well. And where else can you make such good money right out of school,” Braga asks.
Because of the high level of knowledge sonographers must have of the human anatomy, this program does have limited access. This means all applicants must document completion of a two-year accredited health science program, with preference given to registered radiographers.
Prospective students are also required to attend an open house. The next open houses are scheduled from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Jan. 28, in Room LC 122 of the Lewis Center on the Palm Beach Gardens Campus.