These days, when looking through the classifieds, you may have seen a number of positions available for ultrasound technicians. The ultrasound technician careers available offer impressive salary potentials and job stability, something everyone needs. Here we will find out more about ultrasound tech programs and the education that is required in order to make it in this field.
Here we will also provide a rough outline of the ultrasound technician’s job responsibilities and education requirements that most employers will be looking for.
Know What Employers want before you apply for Ultrasound Technician Jobs
Before applying for a position as an ultrasound tech, you’ll need to have either a high school diploma or your GED. From state to state it will vary as to whether or not you are required to be a certified sonographer, but one thing is certain, a person that is applying for the position that is certified is more likely to be hired than a person without any type of certification. Several colleges, universities and vocational schools offer sonography degrees. There is a associates degree, which is a two year program, or a bachelor’s degree, which is four years.
If you meet these requirements, you may think you’re ready to find employment, but you should also be prepared when it comes to knowing what an employer expects out of any sonographer they hire.
An ultrasound tech will need to preform high quality diagnostic sonographic procedures while also providing excellent patient care and communication skills.
An ultrasound technician will need to closely work with physicians and be able to communicate with them if there is doubt or confusion in terms of the physician’s orders.
Sonographers will also need to know how to set up examination rooms and ensure ultrasound equipment is available and has also been sterilized between every patients use. This also entails checking documents, patient histories, making sure patients sign appropriate waivers for the procedure and if required, administer oral, rectal and IV contrast as requested by the ordering physician.
The ultrasound tech must also have knowledge regarding details of each type of procedure and be able to explain the procedure in steps to the patient, as well as answer any of the patients’ questions.
The employer will look for sonographers that utilize basic ultrasound physics and possess an adequate knowledge of normal cross sectional sonographic anatomy and documents on film.
Ultrasound technicians will also need to recognize and document and abnormalities found in the imaging procedure, even if said abnormalities are not directly related to the reason for the procedure.
A qualified ultrasound tech will also perform OB/GYN , abdominal, small parts, trans-vaginal exams, Doppler, trans-rectal exams and also assist with invasive exams.
You will also need to complete ultrasound exams in a timely fashion in order to avoid unnecessary exposure to the patient and/or fetus.
A qualified sonographer should also be able to remain professional in all situations and exercise good judgment when image quality is concerned.
As an ultrasound tech you will be required to stay current with all OSHA regulations, follow a particular employers safety precautions and regulations and also practice general universal safety precautions.
The Required Skills of a Sonographer
As an ultrasound tech you must be familiar with and have the ability to operate selected equipment. As mentioned before, most employers will also require you to be registered with the ARDMS.
You must also have the ability to demonstrate the proper screening methods of patients in order to avoid potential injury and be highly knowledgeable of patient positioning. Ultrasound techs will also need to be physically fit and be able to lift patients onto examination tables.
During a ultrasound technician program, you can also work at hospitals on an internship to earn more hand on experience and possibly attain a position with the hospital after you have completed the program and passed the certification exams. Over 80% of ultrasound technicians are employed with hospitals or other large medical facilities. As employers, a hospital will require the potential employee to have several hours of field experience in order to qualify for a position.