What Do Employers Really Want? Top Skills and Values Employers look for from Ultrasound Techs:
Most job-seekers wish they could unlock the secret formula to minds of employers. What is the unique combination of skills that make employers salivate? In the current job market, the single most important criteria employers look for is an Ultrasound Technologist who has ARDMS certification.
Once you are ARDMS certified, most employers aren’t concerned about which Diagnostic Ultrasound program you took. The more ARDMS specialties you have, the more marketable you are and the higher the salary.
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Job listings often describe the position as being for a Sonographer I, II or III. This refers to the number of ARDMS specialties, not including the mandatory Physics ARDMS exam that all Sonographers must pass.
For example, if you passed your Physics ARDMS and Abdominal ARDMS, then you would be considered a Sonographer I. If you passed Physics, Abdominal and OB/Gyn ARDMS, you would be a Sonographer II, and so on. Employers will look for characteristics that are desirable in any job field such as previous experience in the field, personal presentation that shows clear confidence in your job skills and your ability to articulate them. You should come prepared for an interview by having copies of all pertinent documents ready to hand over. In the case of a Sonographer that would include copies of your resume, reference letters, ARDMS card and BLS card (a CPR class for medical staff).
Specifically to the Ultrasound Technologist position, there are additional strengths that employers look for in a candidate. Knowledge of the following are essential– human anatomy and physiology; the ultrasound appearance of normal and abnormal organs and body parts; knowledge of sound wave physics and the ultrasound machine to improve the image quality; the ability to scan thoroughly and quickly while having good verbal communication with the patient (explaining the procedure). Ability to work independently with confidence, yet also being able to work as a team with the other Sonographers and Radiologists.
Other skills needed are ability to make difficult decisions under a time constraint, such as if the femoral vein appears to be blocked, should you distally augment the blood flow? Strength in resourcefulness and problem solving skills under time constraints (ie, if the portal vein is not visible, demonstrate hepatopetal flow by showing flow direction of splenic vein instead).
Other skills needed; Skilled at descriptive written or verbal reports that clearly and efficiently communicate to the radiologist your exam findings. Flexibility in learning new scanning protocols at your new job. While there are general guidelines for how to scan, for example an abdomen, each facility will have their own written protocol for the order of organs scanned as well as what organ gets measured and in what detail. This isn’t a complete list of what employers look for and but it’s a good idea of the skills a person should anticipate needing if they are considering being a Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist.
The medical sector is expanding and hospital need more Ultrasound Techs, so if you get the right training your chances of getting a job and becoming a 
As an Ultrasound Technologist, you would typically work regular hours, M-F 8-5pm and not usually weekends or evenings. In the morning you will be give a schedule of that day’s patients with the type of ultrasound ordered. There will be some kind of check-in system, which quite likely will be electronic. If the 
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