Ultrasound Technician News

The Advantages of Being An Ultrasound Technician

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ultrasound technicianAn ultrasound technician is also known as medical sonographer. He/She is responsible in the technicalities involved in the medical field as he takes charge in using the ultrasound machine. He is also expected to be an expert in ultrasonography. The technician should master several angles in placing the traducer in many angles to capture various portions of the body. Once the traducer was able to produce images, it sends waves of high frequency towards the tissues that form the images. Through a monitor, the images are visualized. A computer analyzes the sounds to be used along with the images for the doctor to diagnose a disease or any condition.

Whether the patient is critically ill or healthy, the ultrasound technician is supposed to interact with them to conduct the procedures painlessly. Those who show great interest in the medical field and are technically endowed with skills can become good Sonographers or ultrasound technologists. The latter is expected to record patient medical history and information. He should have the ability to follow religiously what doctors recommend and how they perform procedures according to instructions. Every technician should train in the analysis of technical information and stay focus during an assessment. He is also endowed with the skill of defining diagnostic findings and in assisting patients throughout the procedure.

Since technology is continuously improving and most of the equipment used by Sonographers is bound to be updated, the ultrasound technician should keep up with the fast-paced transformations. He should continue to keep himself updated to track the developments in medical tools and equipment. If any technician forgets how important this aspect is, he would probably distort the goal of the medical industry to aim for better services. This endless change is acknowledged by the U.S. Census Bureau and they are making predictions that by the year 2030, the job of a Sonographer will cater to people who are 65 years old.

Being an ultrasound technician brings a person into a lot of perks because ultrasound technology will definitely be in demand in the future. The healthcare world would not stop looking for ways to become the best and only solution for people suffering from pain and abnormal conditions. This would mean stability in the career, since medical institutions will require imaging procedures for most diagnostic activities. The entire healthcare team will eventually be dependent upon the outputs of a sonographer, thus leading to high monetary benefits and good compensation packages for those who want to be successful in this field.

The healthcare industry will not stop looking for people who are willing and skilled to handle equipment for medical facilities. It is without doubt a rewarding profession now and in the future because not all people are gifted with the chance to be equipped alongside medical technology management. An ultrasound technician could only succeed in this field of expertise if he knows how to relate to clients and doctors.

Verdict

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently announced that a typical Sonographer receives an average pay of $64.380 per year, with a lot of compensations. This amount definitely increases in the near future according to professional estimations.

Life After Sonography – Retirement

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Sonography - RetirementThe prospect of retiring brings a smile to the Sonographer who has worked for many years and is finally ready for some rest, relaxation and possibly travel to exotic destinations. Nothing is better than to be able to sleep in, enjoy weekday brunches with friends and snuggle under the covers during cold rainy days. However, when an aspiring retiree has not planned financially for the joys of retirement, the result can be disappointing.

Pinching pennies and sacrificing just to make ends meet is not the kind of life most people envision after years of hard work. Those working in sonography can have a comfortable lives after retirement by putting the following strategies to work before retirement.

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Pay Down Debt

It is always a good idea to pay off consumer debt with your ultrasound technician salary. Some people try to save money while they are in debt. Saving some money while carrying debt is good for emergencies, however, having a large bank account while making minimum payments on credit cards and other debts does not make much sense. Over the long run, the interest paid on the credit cards and the time it takes to pay them off will surpass the money saved. The best practice is to put some money back for emergencies, but use extra money to pay down debts. Once the debts are paid, serious saving can begin. Paying down debt will also mean less worry after retirement since paying extra bills can eat into a fixed income very quickly. Paying for food, shelter, transportation will be enough more for most retirees to handle on a month to month basis.

Put Some Money in a 401-k

Take advantage of employee sponsored savings plans. When an employer offers “free” money through a 401-K or similar program, it is wise to participate. Many employers will match contributions so it makes sense to enroll in a plan that is tax deferred, and in many cases can result in a pretty nice sum when retirement rolls around. It is best to speak with the plan’s administrator about choosing the best investments. For the Sonographer who has several years left before retirement, some risks can be taken that result in higher returns. However, for those who have just a few years prior to retirement, it may be best to take a conservative approach to investing.

Open an IRA

Consider IRAs for saving. Individual Retirement Accounts are tax deferred. When money is deposited in an IRA account, that amount can be deducted from the taxable income which means that taxes are not paid on funds until they are withdrawn. The funds from a traditional IRA cannot be withdrawn without penalty until the account owner is 59 1/2. However, a Roth IRA uses funds that are not tax deferred so funds can be withdrawn without a penalty. Both are worthwhile investments for persons who may not work for employers who provide 401-k or similar plans. There are some limits on amounts that can be placed in IRAs, so the financial institution where the account will be held will advise investors regarding those amounts.

Consider Investing in Stocks

Stocks may be good investments for those who have several years before retirement. However, it is wise to seek the help of a qualified financial professional to map out an investment strategy since stocks can be risky in a tough economy.

Pay for Home Repairs and Large Expenses Prior to Retiring

Investing funds in home repairs is another approach to retiring with less worry. For the person who is a few years away from retirement, getting major household repairs made such as replacing a roof, purchasing a new heating system, and updating old appliances makes good sense. These items can be paid off prior to retiring and may never need to be replaced again. It is a good idea to purchase additional warranty time so that items can be replaced without charge if they should go bad after retirement. Another consideration is to think about buying a newer automobile if the current one has problems. This will mean having reliable transportation with fewer repair bills since retirement will retire less driving resulting in less wear and tear on the car or truck.

Consider Working a Few Part-time Hours After Retirement

Those planning to retire from a sonography job have another option for extra money in retirement. That is to consider working part-time or as needed. For many medical professionals who provide clinical services, staying with an organization on a part-time or as-needed basis works well. They already are familiar with people, policies, and procedures. They can usually work a part-time schedule that will meet their needs. Staying on as a part-timer is a win-win situation for an employer and the retiree. A retiree can earn some extra money for vacations, or for unexpected expenses, and the employer retains a seasoned professional without the expense of training someone new and providing costly fringe benefits.

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What Is Your Return On Investment – Career In Sonography

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Return On Investment - Career In SonographySonographers have a wide range of training which takes from one to four years to complete (SDMS.org). This means that the return on investment for a sonography career can be extremely variable. As well as the amount of time put into obtaining an education in sonography there are also pay differentials based on location, training, experience and more.

Average Sonography Salaries

The average salary for sonographers in the U.S. is $68,900 per year (BLS.gov). This assumes an associates’ degree which typically takes two years to complete. The lowest-paid 10 percent of sonographers make less than $44,900 per year while the highest-paid 10 percent make more than $90,490.

Pay by Employment Type

Sonographers work in a variety of medical and healthcare facilities. Their wages are variable depending on where they work. The best-paid employment locations are outpatient care centers where sonographers across the U.S. make an average of $69,900. The lowest-paid major employment locations are diagnostic and medical laboratories which pay their sonographers an average of $62,290.

Sonography Program Costs

Sonography programs range from one-year certificate programs to four-year degrees (Whatitcosts.com). Most certificate programs are available only to people who already have a two- or four-year degree so the entry-level program can be considered the associates’ degree in Diagnostic Medical Imaging. The average cost of an associates’ degree in the U.S. is $5088 in total (Degreecentral.com).

The other option for an entry-level program is a bachelor’s degree in sonography. The average cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university was $28,080 in 2010. The same degree cost $105,092 on average at a private university (CollegeSurfing.com). Choosing a bachelor’s degree instead of an associates’ degree also increases the costs of books and supplies as well as requiring two extra years of living expenses.

A one-year certificate program in sonography which can be completed by anyone with an associates’ degree is offered by Lancaster General College (LancasterGeneralCollege.edu). The fees are either per-credit or per-semester and the full-time rate is $5650 for the year. Books and supplies are not included in this figure.

As well as the tuition for the program there are expenses in the form of books, supplies, room and board and other living costs. Books and supplies are estimated to cost $2014 over the course of the two-year program at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC.edu). The average cost of books and program supplies for a four-year college student was $4400 in total. This figure is for students not attending summer session, however (Scholarships.com).

Living Expenses

The average cost of living for a college student on a tight budget is $15,920 per year (Graphs.net). Two years of living expenses at this rate totals $31,814. Four years of low-cost living comes to a total of $63,680.

Using the average cost of an associates’ degree program, the books and supplies figure from Chippewa Valley Technical College and the average living expenses of a college student on a tight budget, the two-year program in sonography costs $38,916. Using the average cost of a bachelor’s degree with books and supplies plus four years of living expenses the total cost of a four-year degree in sonography is $96,160 at a public university. The same figures give a total of $173,172 at a private university.

The post-certificate program assumes one year of living expenses, tuition for the program itself and one-half the cost of books and supplies as the associates’ degree. This totals $22,577 per year. Because it is a one year program this is the total certificate cost as well.

Return on Investment

Accurate figures for starting salaries of sonographers are difficult to find. However, a rough calculation can be made by assuming that first-year sonographers are making less than the 25th percentile of wages in the field which is $53,000 (HealthCareGuides.com). Assuming a starting salary at the 10th percentile means that the sonographer is making approximately $44,900.

Using the same cost of living figure for newly-minted sonographers as for college students, a sonographer making the 10th percentile wage for the profession earns $28,980 beyond what he or she needs for living expenses. At this rate it will take him or her 1.35 years to pay off the total costs of an associates’ degree without dipping into their living expenses.

It would take the same sonographer 3.32 years to pay off a four-year public university degree. It would take him or her 5.96 years to pay off a four-year private university degree on this salary. However, sonographers starting out with a bachelor’s degree can be assumed to be making more money than those starting out with an associates’ degree.

A sonographer making the 25th percentile wage of $53,000 would make $37,080 beyond what they needed to maintain their college student living expenses. Making this salary it would take a sonographer with an associates’ degree approximately just under one year to earn what their entire two-year program cost them. A sonographer making this wage who had gone to a public university for a four-year degree would take approximately 2.6 years to earn back the cost of their education. A sonographer who had attended a four-year degree at a private university could expect to take 4.67 years to earn back the cost of their education.

In the End, The certificate cost is on top of the costs associated with any earlier degree. Sonographers making the 10th percentile wage could pay off the certificate program in just under ten months. Those making the 25th percentile wage would take about seven months to pay off the cost of the program.

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The History Of Ultrasound

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History Of UltrasoundSound is an oscillating pressure wave that for human hearing covers a frequency range from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Ultrasound devices operate from 20 kHz to gigahertz frequencies. Other than being inaudible to humans, ultrasonic sound waves follow the same physical – acoustic – principles. Just like audible sound, ultrasound can echo off surfaces, pass through water and vibrate solids. Today, ultrasonic devices use the frequencies to detect objects, measure distances, detect invisible material flaws, clean, mix and promote chemical reactions. However, the most exciting applications of ultrasound are in medical imaging, diagnostics and treatment.

How It All Began…..

Of course, the history of ultrasound begins with the first investigations into audible sound and acoustics centuries ago. Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani developed the first scientific high-frequency ultrasound theories during his work on the navigational ability of bats. In the 1800s, many physicists around the world helped develop an understanding of sound and ultrasound.

In 1826, Swiss physicist Jean-Daniel Colladon discovered sonography using a church bell and rear trumpet to show that sound traveled faster through water than air. In 1881, Pierre Curie discovered that pressure on some types of crystals produced an electrical voltage. Piezo-electric crystals serve as the basis for the modern ultrasound transducer that transforms sound pressure into a measurable voltage.

In 1914, after the sinking of the Titanic, Paul Langevin invented a method to detect icebergs. His “hydrophone” first emitted sound waves and then became a receiver to detect echoes from submerged objects. Later used to detect submarines in World War I, his hydrophone was the first sound transducer and a forerunner of ultrasound transducers.

In the late 1940s, Dr. George Luwig developed the use of ultrasound while working at the Bethesda Naval Medical Research Institute. Dr. Ludwig recorded and studied the change in sound waves as they traveled through animal tissues: organs, muscles and gallstones. In 1953, at Lund University, Swedish cardiologist Inge Edler first used medical ultrasonography. Working with a nuclear physics graduate student, Edler measured heart activity ultrasonically using a device borrowed from a ship builder.

Meanwhile, at Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital, Professor Ian Donald developed the first diagnostic applications of ultrasound. Using industrial ultrasound detectors from boilermakers, Donald used morbid anatomical specimens to observe the effects of ultrasound on how human tissues. Working with medical and scientific colleagues, Donald developed equipment that could detect pathology in human volunteers. Publication of their findings, in 1958, was a milestone in diagnostic ultrasonography.

Donald also invented the B-mode scanner to measure signal intensities. B-mode is also called brightness mode, sonography and 2-D mode ultrasound. Displayed as a 2D map, B-mode provides an actual ultrasound image of a fetus, organ or tumor. Known as the father of obstetric ultrasound, he was able to detect twins in one case and differentiate between an ovarian cyst and cancer in another.

The 50s and 60s saw many improvements in the B-mode scanner. Douglas Howry and Joseph Holmes invented a contact scanner on an articulated arm that allowed the transducer to touch the patient. Until their work, a patient was immersed in water to make a 2D image. The ability to position the transducer by hand and moving it to various angles changed ultrasound procedures dramatically. The maneuverable transducer allowed ultrasound pictures, as we know them today.

Dr. John Wild and John Reid developed a hand held B-mode instrument by modifying standard imaging equipment. They used the hand held instrument to detect breast tumors by swinging it side to side for cross sectional views from several angles. Producing the first breast ultrasound, their instrument was the forerunner of today’s modern machines.

By improving the gain (sensitivity) of the apparatus, an accurate reading could be obtained of thicker or thinner tissues. This advance allowed visualization of tumors and made detection of breast cancer possible. Wild and Reid developed the use of transvaginal and transrectal transducers useful in the detection of ovarian and other cancerous tumors. These efforts were the start of ultrasound endoscopies.

For at least 50 years, radiologists and sonographers have used medical sonography (ultrasonography) as a diagnostic tool to image the human body. It can visualize muscles, tendons and internal organs. Obstetric, transvaginal, gynecological, abdominal, breast and cardiac ultrasound procedures are now routine. Abdominal sonography now includes renal, gallbladder, liver, spleen and prostate scans.

What Lies Ahead for Sonography

The most recent developments in ultrasound is like 3D/4D, Doppler effect and holographic techniques have not yet reached their full potential. Additionally, clinical ultrasound techniques are providing visual guidance for biopsies, aspirations, intravenous line placements and more.

How To Become An Ultrasound Technician In USA

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Become An Ultrasound TechnicianUltrasound technicians have an important role in the well-being of patients. Generally, they are with a patient who listens to her baby’s heartbeat. Some ultrasound technicians assist doctors with diagnosing and treating diseases. Others will offer emotional support during trying circumstances. In radiology labs, an ultrasound technician uses equipment to create images of a patient’s body for doctors to review.

Ultrasound technicians are skilled at using various types of medical imaging technologies to diagnose and treat health conditions. Depending on the purpose of the tests, they may use an ultrasound, X-ray or MRI machine. Also known as medical sonographers, ultrasound technicians may use the equipment to capture images of internal organs. Their responsibilities may also include interpreting the results of the images with a team of healthcare professionals.

Specific job duties may vary based on the specialty, education and health care facility where the ultrasound technician works.

Education Requirements to Become an Ultrasound Technician

Educational programs are offered through hospitals, universities and community colleges for ultrasound technician training. The U.S. military also provides training to enlisted soldiers. The average time to complete most programs is one to two years.

Nearly 176 training programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs are available throughout the country. Admission into either program usually requires having a background in basic physics, algebra and/or natural sciences. Students can expect program coursework that covers medical ethics, patient care procedures, physiology and anatomy.

Professional certification is preferred by most employers that want to hire ultrasound technicians. The initial certification is obtained after passing the required examination upon graduating from an accredited educational program.

In some states, ultrasound technicians must also obtain a license to practice in the field. Continuing education courses are necessary to maintain certification and licensure throughout the ultrasound technician’s career.

In addition to basic certification, ultrasound technicians may wish to seek expert certification. This can expand employment opportunities when the technician has a specialization and credentials in reading imaging files on certain body parts.

For example, a graduate of an ultrasound technician program may receive additional certification in areas such as neurosonology, obstetrics and gynecologic sonography, or abdominal ultrasound. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography offers these additional certifications known as the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer certification. Students interested in becoming a specialist in reading heart ultrasounds may receive a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer certification.

Generally, two examinations are required to receive these credentials. One exam covers sonography principles, and equipment usage. The other exam covers the anatomy of the organs for the specific expert certification.

Skills Needed to Work as an Ultrasound Technician

Other skills are required to successfully perform the duties of an ultrasound technician. Beyond formal education, ultrasound technicians should have excellent communication skills. Much of their daily work involves assisting doctors with diagnosing and treating medical conditions. Their role is to effectively communicate between the doctor and patient test results and possible treatment plans.

This requires an ability to explain complex medical terms and technical procedures to patients. Constant advancements in the health care industry require continued knowledge of current trends in the diagnostic and technology field.

Job Description for an Ultrasound Technician

The job description for an ultrasound technician may vary slightly depending on the medical facility where he or she is employed. Responsibilities, work hours and patient volume may have an impact on the differences. However, there is a general description of basic roles and responsibilities that every ultrasound technician can expect to fulfill regardless to where he or she works.

For the most part, ultrasound technicians will do more than simply operate imaging equipment. Generally, ultrasound technicians can expect constant interaction with patients who need some type of imaging test. The ability to operate equipment properly while having a firm understanding of human anatomy is essential to job performance.

Ultrasound technicians are usually employed in diagnostic laboratories, doctor’s offices, outpatient care facilities, hospitals, universities and any other facility where imaging examinations are needed. Their general job duties may include:

  • Answering patient questions about the ultrasound procedure
  • Keeping the room used for procedures sterilized and maintaining ultrasound equipment
  • Ensuring the ultrasound probe captures every angle of the area being assessed
  • Evaluating the quality of images and interpreting the results
  • Maintaining patient records