The ultrasound tech uses an ultrasound machine to take and record internal images of a patient’s body. An ultrasound tech can work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, imaging centres, veterinary clinics and private medical facilities.
Before you take action to become a ultrasound tech, there are some things you should know, such as; what are the requirements needed before enrolling an a sonography program, what type of ultrasound technician training and courses are required and how you can make it happen. Here we will give you the information you need to succeed in a career field that is growing daily.
Education Requirements for the Ultrasound Technician
If you’re someone that wants to make more money and have decided to go back to school to earn a degree in sonography, first you need to know that before you can enroll in an ultrasound technician program you must have either a GED or high school diploma. If you don’t have either of these, you can always take the required tests needed to obtain a GED or check out accredited online schools that offer high school diploma programs.
These technicians work with and assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions in patients. They work closely with patients and doctors and need to have the ability to explain a patient’s procedure and answer any questions a patient may have. An ultrasound technician will also need to stay current with the ever changing medical technology in this field.
What You’ll learn with Sonography Training Programs
An ultrasound program or course will last two years, in which time a student will learn how an ultrasound machine functions, how to read and decipher ultrasound images as well as how to interact with patients. In a sonogrpahy program you will learn how to operate the ultrasound machines and learn about the importance of sterilizing the ultrasound machines components, routine maintenance and what to look for to ensure the machine is functioning properly.
The ultrasound tech training programs will require students to spend several hours in the classroom learning how to operate the machinery. This means for those students who are taking the online sonography program, they will also need to spend a required amount of time learning about the equipment.
To move up in the field, many technicians seek training in other fields of sonography, with sub-specialties such as obstetric sonography, breast, vascular technology and abdominal sonography. This would help an ultrasound technician increase their marketability.
Although the requirements of an ultrasound tech vary from state to state, employers prefer to hire ultrasound techs that have completed a two year program and have passed the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography exams, after a sonography program has been completed.
A student will learn all the information needed to pass the ARDM exams, during the program. Students will have two opportunities to take the test if they have failed a previous time, after which a student will need to take the ultrasound technician program over again.