Becoming an ultrasound technician takes dedication, initiative, and the right training. Ultrasound technician certification programs aren’t difficult to find, especially online, but you’ll need to understand exactly what an ultrasound tech does before committing to this career.
Medical ultrasound, also known as ultrasonography, is a widely used medical imaging diagnostic technique. Ultrasound equipment emits high frequency sound waves into different areas of the body and then records the echo of these waves, creating an image of internal organs and structures which can then be read by a physician. Ultrasound technology presents fewer risks than x-ray or other diagnostic procedures using radiation, and has the convenience of being portable. Sonograms have become standard in prenatal obstetric care, but are used to diagnose many diseases and conditions.
As an ultrasound technician, you will prepare patients for their exam by explaining the procedure and getting them into position, calibrate and utilize the ultrasound technology to capture the diagnostic information required by the physician, use appropriate technical equipment to record the images, and deliver the ultrasound results to the physician. During the exam, you will need to use your knowledge of anatomy to determine whether the images you captured are sufficient. If not, you will perform additional scans that will give the physician the best information possible to properly diagnose any problems.
Education and Training
If you are a high school student who plans to be an ultrasound technician, prepare in advance by taking courses in math, computer science, English and the physical and life sciences. Some hospitals, the Armed Forces and vocational schools offer ultrasound technical training programs. There are also two-year programs in ultrasound technology at many community colleges and online schools. One of the great aspects of training to become an ultrasound technician is that if you don’t have a local vocational or community college in your area, or you have family or work obligations that keep you from attending traditional classes, you may want to consider attending certified online ultrasound schools. You can easily find these at many online colleges and specialized training centers. Be certain that the program you choose is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Some employers will hire an ultrasound tech that has completed a one-year certificate program through accelerated training specializing in ultrasound technology. You also have the option of completing a bachelor’s degree at many colleges and universities. Additional training can qualify you to work in several ultrasound technology specializations, including obstetric and gynecological sonography, breast sonography (used in addition to mammography), abdominal sonography, cardiac and vascular sonography, and neurosonography (used to image the brain and nervous system).
Professional Certification
Even though none of the states have required licensing in ultrasound, many ultrasound technicians register with a credentialing organization to prove their training and expertise to future employers. For instance, the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) administers an exam to qualified, trained ultrasound techs; passing the exam will certify you as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). Other professional organizations include the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International. These groups usually require continuing education courses to maintain certification.
Job Prospects and Salary
The demand for ultrasound technologists is increasing as physicians and hospitals incorporate non-invasive imaging into their patient treatment protocols and new developments make ultrasound technology even more accurate and useful—and more cost-efficient compared to other imaging methods. The majority of ultrasound techs work in hospitals, although it is anticipated that more out-patient facilities will need to hire ultrasound techs in the near future.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition, the average annual wage of an ultrasound technician is $61,980. The lowest 10% of all techs earned $43,600 while the highest 10% of techs made over $83,950. The middle 50% salaries ranged from $52,570 to $73,680 per year. Salaries are different depending on where you work. The average salary in a physician’s office was $62,340 and $61,870 in medical and surgical hospitals.
Ultrasonography is a growing healthcare field. You can become trained in a fairly short period of time, after which you have several specializations from which to choose. Many ultrasound techs work part-time. If you enjoy working with people, including patients and physicians, and keeping up with advances in diagnostic imaging, this could be the career for you.