How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
If you have a strong passion in fulfilling a career in the health treatment industry and want to find out how to become an Ultrasound Technician, this article can guide you through the process. This type of specialized job is still developing thus it could offer a challenging career as well as excellent salary.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, employment will grow in this filed as diagnostic medical sonography becomes an increasingly viable alternative to radiological procedures. Unlike other types of diagnostic methods that utilize radiation, ultrasound uses sound waves which have been proven to be completely safe for both the patient and the technician.
Overview of What Ultrasound Technicians Do and Their Area of Specialization
Ultrasound Technicians apply sonic or sound waves to capture images of specific internal organs and tissues of patients to aid in diagnosing certain medical conditions. They operate and maintain specialized sonography or ultrasonography equipment; take readings; forward readings to appropriate medical professionals for interpretation; and complete and keep all records accurately. Other Ultrasound Technician duties and responsibilities expand to other areas depending on where they may be assigned.
Areas of specialization on ultrasound include obstetric and gynecologic sonography, abdominal sonography, vascular sonography, and cardiac sonography. Obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound technicians specialize in the imaging of the female reproductive system which could include examining the development of fetus of a pregnant woman.
Educational Paths on How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
Due to the high degree of specialization in the job as Ultrasound Technician, rigorous training programs need to be completed to become certified as technicians in health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, medical laboratories, nursing homes, and others. The duration for training programs typically lasts for two to four years and may be acquired at a university, community college, vocational school, or hospital under an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Medical professionals such as registered nurses who wish to explore a career in Ultrasound Technology have the option of pursuing a one-year certification program that will teach them how to operate ultrasound equipment.
The minimum requirement for training is at least a high school diploma. However, some training programs require applicants to have significant experience in the medical or health field. Admission preference for the training programs also includes candidates with a solid grasp in Mathematics, Science and Health.
Training programs also encompass comprehensive studies on medical ethics, anatomy, medical terminology, physiology, basic physics, health care procedures, and other courses that are directly relevant with the student’s field of choice.
Special focus is on how to use and read ultrasound equipment depending on the student’s specialization such as obstetrics, cardiac and vascular ultrasounds which are one of the most common areas of specialization in ultrasound technology.
Where to Obtain Training on How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
1. Community or Junior College
If you decide to go to a community or junior college to gain training, a two-year or associates degree in Ultrasound Technology is usually offered. The course covers ultrasound technology including other medical imaging modalities such as electrocardiography or radiologic imaging.
2. Technical or Vocational Schools
You can also obtain training in ultrasound through technical or vocational schools which also offer associates degree. Vocational programs are focused on providing students with hands-on experience in the sonography field.
3. Four-year Academic Colleges
Ordinary four-year academic colleges offer bachelor’s degree in sonography and medical imaging. Studies in this field do not only cover more than ultrasound but also other types of medical imaging techniques. This gives the student knowledge on other areas in the field of medical imaging so they can branch out and expand their careers. On the other hand, there are also many hospitals that offer their own ultrasound training programs. Many aspiring ultrasound technicians prefer this option due to the higher possibility of getting employed by the hospital that trained them after the completion of their course. Training within a hospital environment also gives the students more actual exposure in the jobs of an ultrasound technician with supervision from experienced employees and also makes them more familiar with the flow of hospital work and processes. Some colleges and universities have agreements with hospitals and other medical facilities that aid students in gaining employment after training.
4. Online Schools
Ultrasound training can also be obtained from online schools. To complete their certification, students need to complete their clinical in a healthcare facility. If you prefer to take an ultrasound training program online, make sure that the program or the institution offering the program is legitimate and the courses offered are approved by professional ultrasound or sonography certifying organizations.
Should You Get Certified?
Currently, there is no required certification or license in order to be hired as an Ultrasound Technician in the U.S. However, most employers require additional credentials from applicants to ensure that they only hire ultrasound technicians who are equipped with the proper skills, knowledge, and expertise. Apart from this, they also need to make sure that the technicians are committed to their professions.
Taking and passing a certification exam given by recognized professional organizations such as The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is highly favorable. After completing a training program in ultrasound or sonography, prospective ultrasound technicians can take the ARDMS examination and if they pass, they are recognized as official Ultrasonographers. Other official medical official diagnostic sonography organizations where an applicant can obtain certification from are Cardiovascular Credentialing International and the American Registry of Radiological Technologists. All of these professional organizations require that program graduates pass an additional certifying exam before being recognized as official Ultrasound Technicians.
With this, only graduates of approved and accredited ultrasound technician programs are qualified to sit for examination.
Though certification is optional it can definitely help in professional development and will open other opportunities that are more rewarding and lucrative. Ultrasound technician salaries are generally higher compared to other medical technician salaries. As per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data gathered last May 2009, the average salary of an ultrasound technician per year was $63,000. Data for March 2011 showed an annual salary of up to $84,000. If the ultrasound technician holds a certification and other additional qualification, employers usually put a premium on their base pay.
What You Should about Becoming an Ultrasound Technician
There are many steps that you can take in becoming an Ultrasound Technician. Deciding on how to begin can sometimes be challenging but with the right attitude and right information, you should be able to launch your career as Ultrasound Technician in the right direction. To help you decide if being an Ultrasound Technician is a good career choice for you or if you are looking for guided information on how to become an ultrasound technician, simply subscribe our newsletter.