If you’re looking for a career in medicine that is interesting and pays well, and is one of the fastest growing fields in the health care industry, consider becoming an ultrasound technician. This phrase is becoming outdated and is now more commonly referred to as an ultrasound technologist. Also called ultrasonographers or diagnostic medical sonographers, ultrasound technologists usually work in hospitals or medical practices. They operate special machines that emit inaudible, high frequency sound waves that penetrate the body. As the sound waves bounce off various organs and other structures inside the body, the echoes they produce are captured by the machine and converted into images. In medicine, ultrasound technology is used for multiple purposes—to record the development of a fetus, for instance, or locate tumors in certain parts of the body, assess the health of a heart or a spine, or determine if someone has gallstones.
Some sonographers specialize in certain areas, such as obstetrics and gynecology, cardiography and vascular ultrasound. Keep in mind that if you want to specialize, it will require additional training and certification.
There is currently a big demand for well-qualified, competent, highly skilled sonographers. If you would like to pursue a career as an ultrasound technologist, use these tips to learn more about training and education requirements. If you are interested in online education, there are also many excellent, accredited online programs.
Here’s how to become an ultrasound technologist.
- Background: You’ll spend two to four years training to become an ultrasound technologist, depending on the program you choose, so think carefully about whether or not you are really interested. If you are still in high school or college, consult with your counselor or advisor. Also, consider checking with your local hospital to see if you could talk with one of the sonographers or perhaps job shadow. Make sure your grades are in good order and consider the classes you are taking. Most ultrasound programs look for students with strong backgrounds in math and science. Some programs require that you have training in another allied health field first, such as in radiologic technology, so it’s important to know each program’s requirements. Once in training, expect to learn anatomy, physiology, physics and medical ethics, as well as how to operate the ultrasound equipment.
- College Training and Schooling: Sonographer training programs are available in hospitals, vocational-technical schools, colleges and universities. Online programs are also available. Most facilities that hire medical sonographers only require a two-year associate’s degree in ultrasonography, but four-year bachelor’s degree programs are also available, which may help you if you are interested in advancing to managerial positions more quickly. While both types of programs may offer specialty courses, a bachelor’s degree program in ultrasonography may offer more advanced opportunities.
The important thing is to make sure the program you choose is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). These programs are required to have a specific curriculum, which is to your benefit when looking for ultrasound tech jobs.
- Registration and Licensure: Once you have completed your training, you should expect to register with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and sit for the registry exam in order to become credentialed as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Most hospitals and other employers require you to be ARDMS registered.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer is $64,380. The job market is expected to expand by 18% in the next few years for ultrasound careers. Your chances of finding a good job are increased if you are a well-educated, credentialed sonographer.