If you are interested in becoming a sonographer, it is important to understand the accreditation status of medical sonography programs; this will help you obtain the right credentials for the best sonography jobs. Obtaining the proper sonography certification also broadens your chances of working when and where you want once you are licensed. Whether you pursue your training online, at a university or through a trade school, you should first check with professional organizations like the Society of Medical Sonographers (SMS) or the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). These organizations provide online resources about sonography schools' accreditation status. This is an important consideration, since many employers will only hire certified sonographers.
A sonographer (also known as an ultrasound technician) uses highly technical equipment that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images, which aid in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including heart disease, stroke, problems in a pregnancy and the detection of cancer. Areas where a sonographer may specialize include obstetrics and gynecology (women’s health) including the breasts (mammography), the heart (echocardiography) and/or the blood vessels, the abdomen, the eyes and the brain and spinal cord (Neurosonology). Sonography is unique among medical imaging specialties as there is no dangerous radiation involved in the imaging. If this sounds like an interesting career to you, use these tips to learn how to become a sonographer.
Job Requirements
Requirements for sonographers vary depending upon what you choose for a specialty. A diagnostic medical sonographer obviously requires quite different training from an animal sonographer or a cardiac sonographer. The ultimate goal of any student in this field is to receive certification in his or her specialty so he or she can be listed by associations like the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers; this will ensure the best possible job opportunities. In general, a sonographer must have some strength and flexibility as the job may require lifting and other physical activity, they must be able to distinguish audible sounds, be able to interact and communicate with patients from a wide variety of backgrounds and be well organized at their work.
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current median salary for a sonographer is $62,000. In a report titled “SDMS Salary and Benefits Survey,” $61,984 a year was the average income. This figure was based on only hourly salary ($29 to $42 per hour) and also considered overtime charges, the on-call pay rate (which is an additional $3 per hour) and the call-in rate ($42 per hour). Determining how much you can earn as a sonographer is also determined by where you choose to work. For example, there can be a significant difference between the salaries of a sonographer who works on the medical staff of a large corporation and one who works in a public health facility.
The outlook for sonographer jobs is considered to be very favorable; once you become a certified sonographer, you can choose from a variety of environments including laboratories, hospitals, private facilities or you can even choose to be a traveling sonographer. You can also consider pursuing a career in education; this can lead to a position teaching for sonography schools or working as a representative for sonography equipment and supplies.
Educational Requirements
There are many ways to become a medical sonographer and many schools and programs to choose from—this is one of the advantages, because you can easily “switch careers” to sonography. There are both two year and four-year programs—the longer programs can offer a bachelor’s degree while the two-year programs offer an associate’s degree. Coursework includes classes in anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, basic physics, patient care, and medical ethics. There are cardiac sonographer schools everywhere—even in small towns like Stuart, FL—or you can study in a large city like San Antonio, TX if you want to become a medical sonographer. You can also choose a diagnostic sonographer class in California, or further your education online once you have obtained an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. While online ultrasound schools are excellent gateways to sonography careers, remember to verify that the school you’d like to attend is accredited and approved by the American Medical Association (AMA). There are also accredited online degrees in a variety of specialized sonography fields.
Becoming a sonographer can be a very smart career move, considering that there are often up to four jobs waiting for every certified sonographer. Advances in sonography create new opportunities for professionals who want to advance their careers and further specialize in fields like muscle sonography and diagnostic sonography. Becoming a professional sonographer is also rewarding, as you can be in the “frontlines” of medical diagnosis and treatment. Physicians rely more and more on imaging and the sonographers that provide this valuable tool—and that sonographer could be you!