Where to find ultrasound technical schools in Ontario, Canada
Ultrasound is a very successful field across Canada and will likely remain so for a long, long time. However, ultrasound schools in Ontario are few and far between. Let me help you find ultrasound technician training in Ontario, Canada and become a part of this successful field. But first, let me answer some basic questions.
What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves that are reflected from internal parts of the body to create images for medical examinations.
It is mainly used to check the baby inside the mother before it is born. It is also used to identify pathologies such as gallstones, kidney stones, cancers, bruises, and tumors.
How Much Do Ultrasound Technicians Earn Near Toronto?
Ultrasound technicians (also known as ultrasonologists) are the people responsible for operating the ultrasound machines that create the digital images used to visualize internal parts of the body.
Compared to other branches of medicine, this field is not very competitive in Ontario and an ultrasonologist working in the Toronto area now earns an average annual salary of $50,572. Half of those who occupy this position would earn between $40,898 and $76,546 (the 17th and 67th percentiles). These numbers are derived from area-specific government survey data.
So as you can see, it pays well!
Where do I find ultrasound technical schools in Ontario?
Well, you have a few options.
1) If you have the money and the required prerequisites, you can choose to go to an established Ultrasound Institute in Ontario, this can take 2-3 years. Costs can be around $2000-4000 per year depending on which college you go to. Due to long waiting lists, you may not find your ticket easily. The only known university that offers a graduate ultrasound program in Ontario is the Michener Institute.
So what are your alternatives?
2) The other way, and the one that I suggest You are learning ultrasound from an instructor who has experience teaching ultrasound but does not necessarily work as part of an institute. Why do I suggest this? Don’t you have to go to a certified institution? The answer, plain and simple, is NO.
As long as you have the right skills, many ultrasound clinics will hire you as a “trainee ultrasonologist” without requiring any special certification. After working with these clinics for about a year, he will be eligible to take his ARDMS exam and become a licensed sonographer. This process can take as little as 1 year and 4 months of study and as little as $1,500 in investment.
Where can I find such an Instructor?
The one that I personally recommend if you are looking for Ultrasound Technician Schools near Toronto is Mainz Ultrasound Training (located in Mississauga).
UPDATE: Mainz Ultrasound has recently changed its prerequisites to only accept students who already have ultrasound experience.
Why choose Mainz Ultrasound? Here are some reasons:
1. No difficult prerequisites -> Easy admission
2. It is very cheap compared to other options
3. The courses are short -> Only 14 weeks to start working in the field
4. It is taught only on weekends -> You can work or study during the week
5. Taught by an ARDMS certified instructor with 20 years of experience and nearly 1,700 successful students.
6. They offer personalized, hands-on, one-on-one training with equipment
7. Classes are small and personalized.
What if I live outside of the Greater Toronto Area?
If you live outside of GTA, you may want to check out Mohawk College. They have campuses in Hamilton and Brantford, Ontario. Beginning in the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009, they have a program of diagnostic cardiac ultrasound (also known as echocardiography) that will last approximately 54 weeks. You can check the details here [http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/calendar/healthSciences/medTech/DCS.html]. However, like the Michener Institute, they have long waiting lists for admission.
You can also look for ads for ultrasound tech schools or tuition in your local newspaper in the classifieds section. If you can’t find a place, I suggest you go to an ultrasound clinic and talk to the staff members there and ask where they studied ultrasound. They will most likely be able to guide you to the right place.