According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), diagnostic medical sonography is one of the fastest growing career paths in 2013 – and will continue to grow in popularity until 2020. Ultrasonography or simply sonography, is a diagnostic medical procedure where a machine uses high frequency sound waves to visualize structures within the human body. The job description of sonographers include using ultrasonography machines, recognizing internal structures, and making reports regarding findings. Like other health care worker careers, education and hands-on training are needed to become a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Education requirements
There are three kinds of post-secondary education needed before becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer: post-secondary certificate from an accredited program, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees from an accredited college or university. You can find the right school from the school directory.
Post-secondary certificates are given by accredited training programs that allow college graduates to train in ultrasound technology. These programs usually last a year and encompass lectures and hands-on training in health care facilities.
The second kind is an associate’s degree in ultrasound technology. These are college courses that can be completed in two years time, compared to the four-year baccalaureate program. Associate’s degree graduates receive more training than post-secondary certificate holders but do not get to train in a specialty area.
The four-year baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree allows students to train in a specialty area for diagnostic medical sonography such as abdominal, breast, cardiac, musculoskeletal, obstetrics, vascular technology, and neurosonology. The baccalaureate degree graduates have much more competitive skills than their other education counterparts.
Post-secondary certificates are given by accredited training programs that allow college graduates to train in ultrasound technology. These programs usually last a year and encompass lectures and hands-on training in health care facilities.
The second kind is an associate’s degree in ultrasound technology. These are college courses that can be completed in two years time, compared to the four-year baccalaureate program. Associate’s degree graduates receive more training than post-secondary certificate holders but do not get to train in a specialty area.
The four-year baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree allows students to train in a specialty area for diagnostic medical sonography such as abdominal, breast, cardiac, musculoskeletal, obstetrics, vascular technology, and neurosonology. The baccalaureate degree graduates have much more competitive skills than their other education counterparts.
Prerequisites
There are prerequisites a student needs before they can apply for an ultrasound technology program. Applicants to post-secondary certification programs that last a year must have background experience in clinically related allied health profession, such as graduates of other health care related courses. Applicants to associate courses must have successfully completed general education college subjects such as general physics, biology, algebra, and communication skills.
Accredited schools and programs
There are over 200 accredited colleges and programs by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), seen in a complete list here. These colleges and universities offer post-secondary certification, associate and baccalaureate degrees, and Master’s degrees in ultrasound technology. Graduates of health care related degrees such as nursing who have hands-on training in diagnostic medical sonography can also take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARMDS) certification examinations.
Program curriculum
The education curriculum approved by CAAHEP, ARRT, and ARMDS taken in entirety in the four-year baccalaureate program include physical sciences, applied biology, patient care, clinical medicine, applications of ultrasound, related diagnostic procedures, and image evaluation. This competency-based curriculum was created to set standards in ultrasound technology education before becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer.
Hands-on training and clinical experience
All accredited certification programs and schools have clinical experience training as part of the ultrasound technology course curriculum. This is part of the standards set by the CAAHEP and ARRT in regulating ultrasound technology education in the US. Even Master’s degrees have hands-on clinical training as well. Training involves courses in medical terminology and interpretation of sonograms. Important skills and qualities developed in clinical training are orientation to details, hand-eye coordination, interpersonal skills, stamina, and technical skills.
Licensure and certification
Most states in the USA have no official licensure examination for sonographers but an ultrasound technician certification exam is given by the ARMDS wherein sonographers receive professional certification when they pass. Most employers ask for ARMDS certification, completion of clinical rotation, and a certificate of education from an accredited school or program from potential employees. The ARMDS also offers examinations for sonographers who want certification for a sonography specialization.
Sonographer Salaries in 2013
One of the reasons why people choose a career in diagnostic medical sonographers is the salary. From 2010 to 2013, the average sonographer salary has increased from $64,380 to $78,520 nationwide. Sonographers working in hospitals earned more than sonographers working in physicians’ offices and diagnostic laboratories. Specialties in cardiology and neurosonology also earned more than other sonopgrahy specializations. Entry level salaries for sonographers are around $45,000, with certification and specialization allowing an increase in yearly income.
Generally, sonographers earn as much or more compared to other medical technoplogy jobs. With the expected boom in sonographer employement over the next several years, more and more people have chosen to become a diagnostic medical sonographer all over the US.
Generally, sonographers earn as much or more compared to other medical technoplogy jobs. With the expected boom in sonographer employement over the next several years, more and more people have chosen to become a diagnostic medical sonographer all over the US.