Ultasonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves from transducers to create images of structures within the human body. Ultrasound technicians are trained in using the machines used in sonography known as sonograms. Ultrasound technician training is more or less the same as other health care careers; undergraduate training as well as clinical experience is needed before becoming a certified ultrasound technician.
Undergraduate training
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) has accredited over 200 schools in the United States that offer ultrasound technology education. Prospective students can sign up for certificate, associate, or bachelor undergraduate programs. These programs have different prerequisites and requirements.
Certificate programs typically last a year or 12 months. This program is usually taken by graduates of health related courses but wish to take up a career in sonography. Students who apply to this kind of program are required to have previous training or exposure in ultrasonography.
Associate programs are two-year undergraduate programs, available in almost all the accredited schools. They condense the regular bachelor’s program so a prerequisite before enrolling in the AAS program (associate in applied science) is having completed all general education classes like communication and mathematics. This is usually taken by students who shift from an ongoing undergraduate program.
Certificate programs typically last a year or 12 months. This program is usually taken by graduates of health related courses but wish to take up a career in sonography. Students who apply to this kind of program are required to have previous training or exposure in ultrasonography.
Associate programs are two-year undergraduate programs, available in almost all the accredited schools. They condense the regular bachelor’s program so a prerequisite before enrolling in the AAS program (associate in applied science) is having completed all general education classes like communication and mathematics. This is usually taken by students who shift from an ongoing undergraduate program.
Clinical training
The regular program or the bachelor’s degree in ultrasound technology lasts four years and includes lectures and clinical internships. Most schools and programs have affiliated health care centers like hospitals and outpatient departments for training. Trainees are exposed to the clinical set-up with sonograms and patient interactions. Before graduating from a program, there is usually a given number of hours for clinical training needed.
ARDMS and ARRT Certification
Before graduates can work as an ultrasonographer, certification is a requirement that most employers ask for. There isn’t a formal licensing body in the US for sonographers but the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) give certification exams to become certified sonographers. These organizations also have certification exams for sonography specialties such as cardiac and neurosonology.
Exam requirements
While there are many accredited programs that offer training in ultrasound technology, there are still a number of graduates from non-accredited schools. They can still get certified as long as the following prerequisites are met:
For graduates of accredited programs or schools, these are the following requirements:
- Program completion in at least 2 years or 24 months and 60 semester credits or 84 quarter credits
- Completion of clinical training (internship or externship)
- 12 months paid scanning outside of the program
For graduates of accredited programs or schools, these are the following requirements:
- Completion of clinical internship
- Completion of clinical externship