Ultrasonography is a form of diagnostic imaging. Unlike other diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-rays or CT scans, it does not use radiation to produce an image. Instead, ultrasonography, also known simply as sonography, uses inaudible, high frequency sound waves to produce images of organs, tissues or blood flow inside the body. The images make it possible to detect, among other things, abnormalities in a fetus, an aneurysm inside someone’s abdomen, a blockage inside an artery, cancer in the breast, or stones in the kidney or gallbladder. An ultrasound tech, known professionally as a diagnostic medical sonographer, sonographer or ultrasound technologist operates a special machine that creates the sonographic images.
What duties does an ultrasound tech perform?
- Maintain direct patient contact.
- Record a patient’s medical history.
- Operate the ultrasound equipment.
- Analyze technical information.
- Position the patient appropriately.
- Communicate technical and medical information to healthcare providers.
What mental and physical skills are useful for an ultrasound tech?
- Physical strength (in cases where equipment and/or patients may need to be lifted)
- Be able to stand for long periods of time
- Attention to detail
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to relate well to patients; e.g. with empathy, sympathy and a level of comfort and trust
- Organizational skills
What specializations are available for an ultrasound tech?
- Abdomen
- Breast
- Echocardiography (heart)
- Nervous system and brain
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Ophthalmology (eyes)
- Vascular (blood vessels)
What educational and ultrasound technician training is needed?
A number of ultrasound training programs are available, including some online programs. Two and four-year programs are generally available at hospitals, vocational-technical schools and colleges or universities. Two-year programs offer associate degrees in diagnostic medical sonography, which is usually all you need to get a good job. Pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography may help you advance more quickly, especially if you are interested in becoming a manager. Four-year programs may also offer additional courses if you want to specialize.
One of the most important things to consider is whether the program you are interested in is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The accreditation will ensure that the program follows certain guidelines and that students are prepared to sit for the exam for the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) after they graduate. Most hospitals and health care facilities require sonographers to be ARDMS registered.
How much can an ultrasound tech earn?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for an ultrasound technologist is $64,000. In a hospital it is $65,010 and in a physician’s office, $64,010. Outpatient Care Centers appear to be higher paying; the annual mean wage in that setting is $70,440. States with the highest employment levels of ultrasound tech jobs are California, Florida, New York, Texas and Ohio.
Ultrasonography is one of the fastest growing professions in the medical field. The job market is expected to expand by 18% in the next few years. New technologies are being developed and adopted by a wide range of health care providers, which means excellent career opportunities if you are well trained and credentialed.