Should i become an ultrasound technologist

Students with an existing degree in a patient-care related field may be able to apply to a shorter-term certificate program. Prerequisites to enter most degree programs include college-level math, science, and English. Program completion times may vary depending on specific program requirements. Whether you choose a two-year or four-year program, it is crucial that you do your research before starting a program. CAAHEP accredited programs have distinguished their quality in educational resources through a rigorous external review process.

Learn more about your options by visiting our degree center. Many states require an aspiring sonographer to become certified in one of the 5 ultrasound specialties offered through the ARDMS by meeting educational and experiential pre-requisites and writing a certification exam.

In certain states, such as New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon, mandatory licensing laws for ultrasound technologists have either been passed or proposed. In these four states, it will be impossible to become a sonographer without receiving a license or certificate. In states where ultrasound certification is not legally required, most employers still prefer or require an ultrasound technician to be licensed or credentialed.

Generally speaking, those who are certified have a competitive advantage over those who are not when searching for employment. Diagnostic medical sonography is frequently categorized as one of the top paying jobs available without a four year degree.

In a recent article , Monster. More experience in the sonography field can result in higher compensation. Certifications and higher education may lead to more advanced or specialized job roles which correlate to a higher salary.

The setting a sonographer works in plays a part in determining their salary. Additionally, sonographers who are on-call or working less desirable shifts may receive additional compensation conditions in your area may vary. Lastly, geographic location is also a factor in determining salary.

Hawaii, Alaska, California, the District of Columbia, and Washington provided the highest salaries to their sonographers compared to other states. As new technologies have emerged, so have new fields within medical imaging. There is an emerging job market for traveling or temporary sonographers, which we explore in an interview with Dave Felix , founder of SonoTemps, Inc. Traveling as an ultrasound tech is an appealing option for many due to the more flexible schedule, variety in the workplace, and often higher compensation.

According to U. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects Sonographers usually work at least 40 hours a week, but this can vary depending on your place of employment may be required to work on some weekends and be on call.

To be a sonographer you do need to be able to push a pound ultrasound machine and use your hands and arms to scan several patients throughout the day which can cause some physical discomfort, this is why sonographers must take care of their bodies. Despite this, sonographers have reported that their profession is rewarding.

Find a full episode list below:. Preferably you should attend a CAAHEP-accredited program to ensure you are learning the information you need to become a sonographer. Studying diagnostic medical sonography requires attention and commitment.

If you are a sonography student and have other obligations such as family, work, etc, then you should plan in advance to ensure you are able to complete your diagnostic medical program.

Read our Sonography Student Resources for more information. Determining if sonography is a good career, depends on your preferences, and we hope the information provided in this article will help you make the right decision. The sonography profession is challenging, rewarding, and empowers you to make a difference in the lives of patients. If you are a person who is looking for these facets in your career, then sonography may be the right career for you.

ARDMS was founded to support sonographers and we are committed to developing resources to provide you with the guidance and tools you need throughout your diagnostic medical sonography career— from getting started, to becoming credentialed, to advancing your career afterward. As a member of the ARDMS community, you are not only distinguishing yourself as a prominent sonography practitioner, but you have a diverse team of people behind you.

If you have any questions regarding applying for ARDMS credentials or examinations please reach out to our dedicated Customer Care team, by email at other inteleos. When you work as an ultrasound technician, you will have a variety of responsibilities.

You will prepare the treatment rooms for the procedures, as well as handle administrative tasks, such as scheduling, handling phone calls, taking vital signs, patient histories, and other important aspects of office procedures. When you consider ultrasound training, try to look for programs that include a variety of skills, in addition to the fundamentals. This will help you prepare for the many functions of office environments.

Wide variety of ultrasound careers. Ultrasound technician work is more than monitoring pregnancies. In fact, there are sonographer jobs that focus on cardiovascular health, abdominal organs and soft tissue areas, and other specialties that give professionals different career paths they can follow.

This is another thing you need to consider when looking at different training options in your area. Make sure the learning outcomes associated with each course align with your career goals. There are also many types of work environments that ultrasound techs can find openings to apply for.

You can apply at hospitals, outpatient facilities, private practices, non-profit organizations, and many other types of healthcare offices. When you speak with ultrasound school, it is important to discuss local career options.

The best schools for sonography and ultrasound will know what the job landscape looks like in your area, what offices hire recent graduates, and they should have internship opportunities for you to get real world experience. Professional competencies abound. To be successful and advance in the field of healthcare, you will need to have more than your core skills. Being great at your practice takes an entirely different set of training than developing strong interpersonal and communication skills that patients and physicians will connect with.

Also, understanding how an office operates, and adhering to policy changes which are common in healthcare can really help you on the job, and prepare you for success. Along with this, make sure your school also has career resources or training opportunities with local facilities.

A medical career keeps you on your toes.