Ultrasound Technician

Ultrasound technicians use specialized equipment to provide images of soft tissue within the patient’s body to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating illnesses and accident victims. The ultrasound technician will typically work in a clinic, hospital or laboratory setting on a full or part-time basis.  Some weekend, holiday, shift and on-call work may be required. 

Ultrasound technicians are responsible for obtaining accurate and complete patient history; to analyze and record technical information and to provide accurate and detailed summary reports to the physician.

Some specialization is common for ultrasound technicians, such as stomach and intestinal areas, heart, pregnancy and eye studies.

Training for sonographers is provided in hospitals, community colleges, trade and vocational schools and through on-the-job experience.  One year programs provide a certificate and are usually used by health-care workers seeking to advance their career opportunities.  Two and four year programs lead to Associate and Bachelor’s degrees respectively.  Class work typically consists of anatomy and physiology, physics, instrumentation and medical ethics classes.

The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers certifies ultrasound technicians following successful completion of an examination in physics and instrumentation as well as a second examination in the area of specialty such as OB/GYN or neurosonography.  The certification is renewable every three years with continuing education credits of 30 hours needed.

Salary expectations are in the $32,000 to $52,000 range and job outlook is favorable in the foreseeable future.  More diagnostic procedures are being done with noninvasive techniques and the population is aging in the United States.

Further information on this career choice can be found at the following websites.

Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 12770 Coit Road, Suite 708,Dallas, TX 75251-1319
972-239-7367 or 800-229-9506 http://www.sdms.org.

The American registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, 600 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852-1150 301-738-8401 or 800-541-9754  http://www.ardms.org