UltraSound Technician work, Ultrasound Tech Job Description
An Ultrasound Technicians Job is to assess, and/or diagnose medical conditions, we use sonography. Images or pictures are generated through sound waves. The people responsible for producing these images are called sonographers or ultrasonographers.
Special equipment is used, to direct high-frequency sound waves, into specific section of the body, to outline an illustration from the reflected echoes. These pictures may then be videotaped, transmitted
or photographed for diagnosis by the doctor. This technology is allowing us to do much more in medicine. The need will continue to grow for people that have the skills to gather the data to assists doctors in diagnosing disease and disorders of the human body.
The job duties of the ultrasound technician may include: explaining to the patient the procedure, taking notes of any relevant medical history, using the equipment to get the pictures, choreographing the patient to attain the best images, choosing the best pictures for the doctor, and logging patient records. These ultrasound technicians help gather sonographic data to assist the interpreting doctor in making a diagnosis of a range of ailments and diseases, as well as, observe fetal development.
The ultrasound technician performs these specialized services in a range of therapeutic locales. Ultrasound technicians work a 40 hour week in clinics, private doctor offices, hospitals, universities, laboratories, and other industries. They may have shift work, which includes afternoon and weekend hours. Some workers may be on call and have to report to work on very short notices. Hospitals are the primary employer of these workers but the positions will also grow in doctor’s offices and the diagnostic centers.
Ultrasound Technician Education
There are various ways to get training for this position. An individual can get trained in diagnostic medical sonography in a hospital, a college/university, the military, or from a vocational school. In 2008, The Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs, CAAHEP, provided accreditation for 161 programs. The accreditation is for the most formal training programs, including sonography
technicians. These various programs take anywhere from one to four years for completion depending on whether the students is working on a certificate, associates degree, or bachelors degree.
There are some prerequisites for the programs that vary. For a one year program students will qualify based on having a clinically related allied health profession. For a two year program the applicant must have a high school diploma with a basic background in math and science. The more classes you take in high school, including algebra, trigonometry and science classes including physics, and allied health classes. Higher level cognitive skills will help any student desiring to pursue this job with critical thinking, active listening and reading comprehension skills.
A strong comprehension of the human anatomy is essential for an Ultrasound Technology degree. In addition, in a two-year program, participants are taught detailed methods of scanning for different purposes. Required courses include: general physics, abdominal sonography, vascular sonography, anatomy, obstetric sonography, fetal and neonatal anomalies, and medical terminology.
There are several tests that are a part of the ARDMS. The sonography principals and instrumentation (SPI) is three hours long with 170 multiple choice questions. There are other tests that vary in time from two to four hours testing time with 150 to 240 questions. The cost of the testing is $500 for each of the various tests.
Ultrasound Technician Salaries and Job growth
Salaries for ultrasound technicians in 2008 were about $61,980, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% of the technicians had earning of more than $83,950. Although, earnings for these
ultrasound technicians fluctuate by industry sector, the median yearly incomes for the trade employing the largest numbers are: Physicians offices the median salary was $62,870 and for hospitals the median salary is $62,690. The managers earn more.
The demands for these technicians continue to exceed the number of available workers. Because there is such a need for these technicians the pay will continue to be lucrative for these technicians. Until 2014, the demand for ultrasound technologists is expected to continue to grow. The need will continue to grow faster then other occupations.
Students can take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers’ National Ultrasound Registry Examination, after completing the educational requirements. There are several specialty areas including: physics, abdomen, and OB/GYN.
Even though there are certifications for the position there are no licensures for the sonographers. There is the opportunity to be a registered ultrasound technician by passing specific examinations. To keep their registration current the technicians have to complete continuing education classes to stay current.
