Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Ultrasound Technologist Career: Considering Your Options

By Mollie Lanski


An ultrasound technician is known by many names in the medical field, the most popular being diagnostic medical sonographer or just sonographer for short. This specialist makes use of ultrasound equipment that transmits and receives sound waves which allow images of internal structure of the human body to be photographed or recorded. The ultrasound tech career has gained much attention because of the job security and high financial rewards it offers.

While an ultrasound technician may be commonly seen in an obstetrics-gynecology clinic for checking the reproductive health of a woman or determining the gender of an unborn child, he can also work for different areas of medicine. The images produced by using an ultrasound machine usually serves as basis for doctors in coming up with accurate diagnosis of a patient's condition.

Diagnostic medical sonographers are highly-trained specialists that operate advanced ultrasound equipment to make possible taking images of the human body's internal structure. They help patients prepare for the procedure, guide them through it, and ensure their safety at all times. A good ultrasound technician must possess good judgement and be able to pay close attention to details.

Individuals aspiring to become an ultrasound technician will have to go through a formal training program - either a 2-year Associate's Degree course or a 4-year Bachelor's Degree course. Both are offered in a wide range of universities and colleges. A typical training program consists of coursework in physiology, anatomy, medical ethics, and patient care.

To be ensured of the quality of education and training you will receive, it is ideal that you enroll in a training program that has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Upon completion of training, you can also opt to apply for certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

Choosing a career as an ultrasound technician is an excellent move since employment is forecasted to undergo a growth rate of 18 percent through the year 2018 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). An increase in the demand for sonographers is to be expected as the population increases and ages, as well as the prevalence in use of diagnostic imaging procedures.




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