Fort Myers, Florida has four large hospitals and medical centers within a 13-mile radius, presenting excellent employment opportunities for ultrasound technicians. There are plenty of ways to stay active, and many art and music events are held in the River District. Inland waterways make it possible for boaters and sportspeople to reach the Gulf of Mexico. Other popular activities include attending events at the Southwest Florida Museum of History and shopping or dining in the historic downtown area.
Sonography Education in Fort Myers, Florida
Students can take an ARRT recognized sonography program in Fort Myers as of 2014. The program is offered by Keiser University.
The closest CAAHEP accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is in Winter Haven, Florida, which is 105 miles from Ft Myers. Offered by Polk State College, it is one of the best choices for interested sonography students because of its accreditation status. The accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs means the ultrasound technology program meets critical training standards. Students are qualified to sit for the ARDMS sonography certification examinations upon meeting all requirements to graduate. The advantage is that they can enter the job market as soon as possible with all the qualifications needed to apply for the best ultrasound jobs.
There are other CAAHEP accredited ultrasound tech programs within a 140-mile radius of Ft Myers. Students needing financial assistance to pay for attending an out-of-town school can apply for many available scholarships. There are over 18,000 students enrolled in colleges and universities in Fort Myers as of 2014. This number represents a high student-to-population ratio since the city has approximately 66,000 residents.
Salary and Job Outlook for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is included in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Cape-Coral-Fort Myers, FL metropolitan statistical area. As of May 2013, the local Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earned slightly more at an average annual wage of $70,860 or $34.07 per hour compared to $67,170 or $32.29 for all positions nationally. Annual salaries for this area ranged from $60,660 to $89,410. The Business Journals listed Diagnostic Medical Sonographers as one of the 100 highest paying occupations in 2013 in the Fort Myers area.
The ultrasound technician job outlook is excellent because of tremendous population growth, an aging population and the continuing implementation of the national healthcare program. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity 2014-15 Regional Demand Occupations List (reports) reports annual openings of 270 positions for Workforce Region 24 that includes Ft Myers, the county seat for Lee County.
A List of Best Diagnostic Medical Sonography Programs in Fort Myers and Nearby Cities
School Name: Polk State College
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Nova Southeastern University
Program: Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree
School Name: Sanford Brown Institute-Ft. Lauderdale
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Keiser University-Fort Lauderdale
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Miami Dade College
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Mattia College
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Dade Medical College
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Southeastern College
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Hillsborough Community College
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Adventist University of Health Sciences
Program: Associates Degree
School Name: Valencia College
Program: Associates Degree
