| How to Become an Ultrasound Technician Oct 4th 2012, 02:00 Interested in a career in the medical industry? An ultrasound technician (also called a diagnostic or medical sonographer) is a career that is in demand and very popular! It features a relatively short period of study, is financially rewarding, and is growing rapidly, all of which means good opportunities for advancement. Here is how to get started in a future career as an ultrasound technician. - Get a high school diploma. As part of your prep for a career like this, study math, English, computer science, health, and both the physical and life sciences as part of your high school curriculum.
- Complete an Ultrasound Technician program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), and get your Associate's Degree.
- If you're shifting careers in the health care industry, or you're a high-school graduate, you can take a one-year program. These fast-track programs generally reward you with a vocational certificate.
- Two-year programs are the most popular, and when you complete the two years (one to one and a half years if you have taken many of the prerequisite courses), you will earn an associate's degree.
- You can also take a four year program, and graduate with a bachelors degree.
- Stay away from eight week or six month programs. Not only do they not prepare you adequately for a career as an ultrasound technician, but it will hardly matter as you will not be competitive in the job market.
- Note that some colleges may require you to complete a Certified Nursing Associate (CNA) course before being accepted into a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (DMS) program.
- Get clinical experience during your attendance at the college. When you graduate, work on gathering enough hours to take the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exams.
- These are not required for ultrasound technicians, but you will greatly increase your marketability—–and in turn, your paycheck—–by successfully completing these exams and becoming a certified ultrasound technician or Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). This includes two parts—–a general physics section and a sub-specialty of your choice (ob-gyn, abdominal, etc.)
- Apply for the job! You've gone through the training, taken the tests, and now you're officially a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Go to the hospitals and clinics in your area, and start work!
- Finish high school and graduate. This should be a given, but it bears repeating: the more educated you are, the further you will progress in life. Finishing high school is the first step to having a satisfying career.
- 3D ultrasound technology is currently the vanguard, and 3D ultrasound skills are increasing in demand. Get skilled in the use of 3D ultrasounds to get an edge in the job market.
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a rosy picture for the future of ultrasound technicians. The market is expected to increase 19 percent from its current level of 59,000 jobs, from now through 2018.
Edit Warnings - There are many pseudo-schools or schools of questionable character that advertise a degree for ultrasound technicians. It is not uncommon for these schools to shut down or go bankrupt before the end of your training or to hand you a degree that you later find out is worthless. Be sure to go to an accredited school for ultrasound technicians and get an associate's degree.
- Many positions require you to be certified. After you graduate, make certification your highest priority.
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