A lot of people assume that the only career you can have in healthcare is working as a doctor or nurse. Diagnostic medical sonography is a career not many people think of. This is one of the most overlooked careers in the medical community. It is a much needed job, but most people are not aware of its demands because they only think of obstetrical ultrasonography. Jobs in sonography are needed for a lot more purposes than just obstetrical. Because of the rise in people needing healthcare, this is a very stable career. You can easily earn most if not all of this degree online as well.
Here’s your guide to a career in diagnostic medical sonography.
- Training and Educational Background: Mathematics and science are still highly required subjects to be a medical sonographer. Human anatomy is one of the most important parts of science you will be required to understand. While the course requirements are not as strict as they used to be, good grades and a firm understanding of math and science is required. The only facilities that will do on-the-job training for sonography are for pregnant women seeking 3D ultrasounds. These ultrasounds are not diagnostic, or meant to take the place for prenatal care. These are just for fun for the expectant mother and father. In order to become a certified sonographer you must first have an associate’s degree in a qualified area such as radiology, nursing, or health science and then take the proper accredited classes in medical sonography. Earning your degree in sonography is when you choose to get a two-four year degree, and earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Each of these courses will prepare you to take your certification exam, which is very complicated and trying. Most employers require that you pass this exam to be employed by them.
- Work Description: Medical sonographers will utilize the machines to image internal organs for defects such as cysts, stones, fluid or abnormalities. Every patient who comes in to have an ultrasound preformed will have a doctor’s order, and it will be your job to scan them. You will take pictures, measure organs, and often surrounding tissue noting any abnormalities. Once you have finished you will write up a report and send it to the doctor. This is one of the least invasive and harmful ways to get clear pictures of internal organs. Which makes the demand for qualified ultra-sonographers on the rise.
- Specializations in Medical Sonography: When people mention going to ultrasound school, the first thing most people think of is scanning big pregnant bellies. Ultrasonography is not only about obstetrical ultrasounds. You can choose to work at clinics and hospitals that have a variety of different patients coming through. Also you can work for cardiologists, endocrinologists, neurologists, or specifically in a mammogram center where you will scan women for breast cancer. Those are not your only options either; there are many different areas from which you can choose.
- Career Opportunities: The job outlook for sonographers is excellent as the need for medical care continues to rise. Clinics specializing in ultrasonography expand, and most hospitals have ultra-sonographers on staff twenty four hours a day. Doctors’ offices are starting to have sonographers on staff, and these aren’t just ob/gyn offices either. Jobs will soon outweigh the amount of qualified sonographers available.
- Salary of a Sonographer: The average sonographer will start out making around $60,000 annually. Hospitals generally pay slightly lower than private practices and clinics, but hospitals sometimes offer schooling reimbursement.
- Certified Sonographer vs. a Degree in Sonography: You may be wondering what the difference is between a certified sonographer and a degree in sonography? This often confuses a lot of people, and people hope they can just take a few online classes. This is not the case, as you will need to obtain an associate’s degree in sonography, or start out the program with an associate’s degree in a health science field to obtain certification.
- Certification: Go to the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) to get certified. Obtaining certification from ARDMS means you will be globally recognized as a diagnostic medical sonographer. You can be certified as RDMS (diagnostic), RDCS (cardiac), and RVT (vascular) depending on what type of sonography work you choose to do. It is best to find a sonographer school accredited with this association so you will not be denied eligibility to sit for the exam.
Most sonographer degree programs last from two years to four years. After getting your certification or diploma, be sure to register at the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Once the educational requirements are fulfilled, you can start applying for sonographer jobs.