What prerequisites do i need for ultrasound technician

Ultrasound technicians -- also known as sonographers or ultrasonographers -- have the unique ability to obtain and view images of the internal body structures of their patients, yielding an in-depth view of structural abnormalities that assists in appropriate diagnosis of disease. A career as an ultrasound technician can be reached in as little as one year and can be both emotionally and financially rewarding. Having the right background and knowing what to expect when studying to be an ultrasound technician can translate to enhanced career opportunities.

Courses

Due to the technical and medical nature of the profession, a strong foundation in science and math is required to become an ultrasound technician. Core science and mathematics courses that are required include biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, college physics and college algebra. English composition and interpersonal communication are required due to the collaborative nature of the medical field and the need for communication with patients and other health care professionals. Additional courses specific to sonography that are typically required include ultrasound physics, sonography, pathophysiology, vascular technology, instrumentation, clinical-diagnostic sonography, sonographic sectional anatomy, abdominopelvic sonography, obstetrical sonography, psychology, ethics and professionalism, according to Austin Community College. After completing coursework, a three- to six-month internship is typically required.

Degree and Certificate Options

A career as an ultrasound technician requires an associate degree, which typically takes about two years to complete. Admission to an ultrasound technician program requires completion of a high school diploma or equivalent and a strong background in mathematics and science. Having a background in the medical field is also a plus. For those who have previous medical experience, many schools offer one-year certificate programs to receive certification as an ultrasound technician. After completion of an ultrasound technician program, students may register with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, a requirement for most ultrasound technician jobs in the health care industry.

Specialty Areas

Ultrasound technicians have the option to choose specialty areas to enhance their expertise and increase opportunities for jobs. Specialty areas include obstetrics, gynecology, echocardiography, neurosonology and ophthalmology. Choosing a specialty area will provide the skills necessary to advance to higher-paying jobs, and will provide flexibility that is often needed in the health care setting. Additional courses are required for specializations. While courses vary depending on specific specialization, typical courses include echocardiography, echocardiographic evaluation, vascular technology applications, noninvasive vascular technology, mammography and breast ultrasound, according to Austin Community College and Bellevue College.

Considerations

Ultrasound technicians have the unique ability to create and view images of the internal body structures of patients, assisting physicians in properly diagnosing and treating disease. Ultrasound technicians are typically responsible for preparing the patient for the procedure and for conducting the procedure. Oftentimes, ultrasound technicians are also responsible for managing and maintaining equipment. Careers as an ultrasound technician are financially rewarding, with salaries ranging from approximately $59,000 to $71,000 per year.

References

Writer Bio

Based in Northern Virginia, Jillian Wendt has been in science and teacher education for eight years. She has been writing education-related articles for practitioner and research journals for several years. She holds a Doctor of Education in curriculum and instruction from Liberty University. Dr. Wendt is passionate about education and is a fervent reader, writer and researcher.

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When we hear the word "ultrasound," we typically imagine a pregnant woman getting her first glimpse of her unborn child on a little screen. An obstetric sonogram is a procedure we are most familiar with, but an ultrasound may be used to examine the internal workings of pretty much any part of the human body.

Ultrasound technicians, or sonographers, work mostly in hospitals, doctor's offices, and diagnostic laboratories. According to O*Net, they operate an ultrasound machine to produce images that a physician may use to diagnose a patient.

It's a job that requires technical savvy, detailed knowledge of human anatomy, and the interpersonal skills necessary to make a patient feel at ease during the procedure.

Being an ultrasound technician may seem like a daunting job, but it only takes a minimum of two years to complete the schooling necessary. Compared to other medical fields, pursing a career as a sonographer is not a long one at all.

What Does an Ultrasound Technician Do?

An ultrasound machine uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images of a patient's internal organs and tissues. As an ultrasound technician, you would operate the equipment that conducts the ultrasound. Once you have captured the images, a physician may look at them and make a diagnosis.

We are most familiar with the use of ultrasound to monitor a mother during pregnancy, but the ultrasound machine has other uses. You may use a sonogram machine to analyze breast tissue, examine the brain and spinal cord, and examine organs in the abdominal cavity.

Some diagnostic medical sonographers may focus on a certain kind of imaging, like cardiac sonographers, who focus on taking sonograms of the heart.

As an ultrasound technician, you don't just have to be able to operate the machine. You are the one who could interact with patients and walk them through the procedure. The patient might be nervous or self-conscious, and it is your job to put them at ease. For this reason, you have to have interpersonal skills as well as technical know-how.

Is It Hard to Pursue a Career as an Ultrasound Tech?

If you're considering a career as an ultrasound tech, two important factors to consider are your ability to earn a degree and the profession's job growth rate. The number of ultrasound technician jobs, like a lot of other medical professions, are growing at a fast rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 14% increase in ultrasound technician jobs between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average growth rate for all jobs. This is likely because the baby-boomer generation is getting older and requires diagnostic tests for various cardiovascular problems.

Once you earn your degree and certification, you may be able to pursue a career in a hospital, doctor's office, or diagnostic laboratory. Many people may earn a certification after 2-4 years of study.

The majority of the courses required in your studies are science courses since you may have to know about the human body in order to use the sonogram machine. Once you finish your studies, you may be able to sit the certification exam.

Education, Training & Certification

Program completion times may vary depending on specific program requirements, but ultrasound certification usually requires only a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree, so you could be able to enter the workforce quickly. If you already have a college degree, you could fast-track your studies and enroll in an ultrasound technician certification program.

If you want more training, you may pursue a four-year Bachelor of Science degree and focus on sonography. Because you studied longer than an associate and had specialty training, you may have more job options and a higher salary.

For the associate's and bachelor's degrees, you may take the core science courses: biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and physics. There are also more specific subjects that relate to sonography, such as the physiology of the heart, obstetrics and gynecology ultrasound, ultrasound physics, and medical terminology.

After you earn your degree, you may take a certification exam and get certified through Cardiovascular Credentialing International or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Once certified, you are ready to enter the medical field as a sonographer.

How Much Does an Ultrasound Technician Make?

According to the BLS, the median annual salary of an ultrasound technician is $75,920. Sonographers hold one of the top-paying jobs you could get with just a two-year degree. 

Who Makes More Money: RN or Ultrasound Tech?

According to the BLS, the median yearly salary for a registered nurse was $75,330. This is $590 less than the median wage for sonographers during that same time. Like an ultrasound technician, an RN has to earn either a bachelor's or associate's degree. They also have the option to attend an approved nursing program.

Once licensed, a registered nurse may begin practicing. The career paths of RN and sonographer are very similar in salary and time spent in school. Your choice of career really depends on where your passion lies.

Why Can't Ultrasound Techs Tell You the Result of an Ultrasound?

If you've ever had an ultrasound, you've probably wondered why the tech operating the machine won't tell you anything about what they're seeing. Your ultrasound tech should not tell you about your results or even react to what they see since this might influence the patient's decisions about treatment.

That is not to say that your tech has no idea what she's looking at. An ultrasound tech should know their anatomy well enough to perform the procedure, but they are not doctors. Only a doctor is qualified to share test results with the patient since they could also discuss treatment.

Ready to Get Started?

As an ultrasound technician, you could be on the front lines of diagnostic medicine. A specialization in sonography requires only an associate's or bachelor's degree in science and a certification from the ARDMS.

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