Pima Medical Institute is now enrolling students in the newly added Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Radiography programs at the El Paso campus. Both associate degrees allow students to complete the programs in approximately two years or less.
“We have spoken to local clinics and hospitals here in El Paso and there is a definite need for qualified radiographers and sonographers,” said Pima Medical Institute El Paso Campus Director, Keever Jankovich. “We are very excited to start training students to take on these rewarding careers.”
Students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program learn how to use ultrasound equipment to create images of internal body structures that doctors use to make a diagnosis. The career field was just recently named one of the top healthcare support jobs for 2017 by U.S. News & World Report, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the diagnostic medical sonographer career field is projected to grow 24 percent.
Those who become sonographers may specialize in vascular, cardiac, obstetrics/gynecology, or general ultrasound. They typically work in the hospital setting, while others work in doctor’s offices or medical and diagnostic laboratories.
El Paso campus’ other new program, Radiography, prepares students to become radiologic technologists. They are trained to perform diagnostic medical imaging examinations, including X-rays. They see patients with a wide variety of needs and can specialize in numerous areas, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, bone densitometry, mammography and nuclear medicine.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career is projected to grow 9 percent. Most radiologic technologists work in the hospital setting. After completing an externship, graduates can sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Radiography Certification Exam. If they chose to continue their education, they can also earn a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences through Pima Medical’s online education division, which allows them to even further expand their career options.
Other programs offered at Pima Medical’s new El Paso campus include associate degrees in Occupational Therapy Assistant and Veterinary Technician and certificate degree programs in Dental Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, and Veterinary Assistant.
