How long ultrasound technician

Sonographer - Charlestown, Newcastle. Sonographer - Central Brisbane Hospitals. Sonographer - Ballarat. See all related jobs on SEEK. Explore related qualifications SEEK users who have worked as a Sonographer have studied these qualifications. Powered by. Upskill with an online short course Get instant access to online training for these in-demand Sonographer skills. Is Sonographer the right role for me? Job market trends for Sonographers. Source: SEEK. Latest Sonographer reviews.

Often, an ultrasound technologist is associated with performing pregnancy ultrasounds, though career opportunities extend beyond obstetrics. Learn more about becoming an ultrasound technician with our free guide, which provides helpful information about the field. Everything from researching the career and learning what a sonographer does, to the specialties and advanced employment opportunities available is detailed below.

Salary and employment figures are based on a national average and may vary by location. Sonography is a non-invasive procedure where ultrasound techs use specialized equipment that emits high frequency sound waves. These sound waves travel into the body and reflect back to the machine.

The sound wave reflections have different appearances depending on the type of tissue being imaged. Healthcare professions and other service industry related careers require a wide-range of skills, from technical know-how commonly known as hard skills to good interpersonal communication the soft skills.

Hard skills represent the abilities a professional must be able to do to accomplish their job. Soft skills are the abilities a professional must utilize when carrying out the hard skills. Ultrasound technologists work in close concert with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and radiologists. They also help prepare patients for procedures, maintain ultrasound equipment, record patient history and present findings to the medical team.

An Associate of Science Degree AAS in diagnostic medical sonography is the minimum education required to become a practicing sonographer.

Students with an existing degree in a patient-care related field may be able to apply to a shorter-term certificate program. Prerequisites to enter most degree programs include college-level math, science, and English. Program completion times may vary depending on specific program requirements.

Whether you choose a two-year or four-year program, it is crucial that you do your research before starting a program. CAAHEP accredited programs have distinguished their quality in educational resources through a rigorous external review process. Learn more about your options by visiting our degree center. Many states require an aspiring sonographer to become certified in one of the 5 ultrasound specialties offered through the ARDMS by meeting educational and experiential pre-requisites and writing a certification exam.

In certain states, such as New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon, mandatory licensing laws for ultrasound technologists have either been passed or proposed. In these four states, it will be impossible to become a sonographer without receiving a license or certificate. Each one requires that you become a member, but this opens up a huge network of people to help you in your career.

After becoming a member of the respective association, you can begin looking into the prerequisites for credentials. Through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, there are specializations in different areas of the body including:. Most of the exams are year-round for this organization, and all of them are multiple-choice tests.

The American Registry for Radiologic Technologists has another variety of credentials, including:. Through this association, you will only take one exam, regardless of the area that you want to specialize in. The exam is computer-based and can be taken at home or in one of the many facilities across the United States.

The other association, the Cardiovascular Credentialing International Association has its own certifications:. Some of the topics that you can expect on most of the exams are:. The Cardiovascular Credentialing International Association website has much more information about these certifications. In order to gain most certifications as an Ultrasound Technician, you must have at least two years of experience in the field.

This is so that employers, as well as patients, know that you are competent in what you are doing. There are other programs that can help with certification, such as practice tests, but the best program for this career is a hands-on experience. It looks as if the career of an Ultrasound Technician, as well as other types of medical technicians, will grow around 17 percent over the next decade. The reason for this rise is that technological advancements have made it easier for medical sonographers and Ultrasound Technicians to see various issues within the body.

Not only do Ultrasound Technicians check fetuses, but they can also work with cardiology and vascular areas. Due to the aging baby boomer generation, there will likely be a need for more medical treatments, as well as medical conditions like blood clots and heart attacks increasing with this aging generation. Overall Satisfaction: High It seems that there are many things in this career that Ultrasound Technicians love, like that it is the least stressful job of the medical professional, and great job benefits.

Those who are interested in this career will find more satisfaction when earning certification or stepping into a specialization. Those who work in large populations or in areas with higher socioeconomic statuses will likely make more than people working in small towns or rural areas.

Technological advancements have made it easier to use ultrasounds to diagnose a variety of illnesses. Also, many more preparations are made through ultrasounds for pregnant women, as well as people with cardiac issues, and vascular problems. Depending on the requirements of your employer, it can take anywhere from 2 to four years or more to become an Ultrasound Technician. In order to be a great Ultrasound Technician, there are certain personality traits that you must possess.

This can be a stressful career, however, with these traits you can become a success:. After certifications and specializations, the salary and promotions can increase for Ultrasound Technicians, especially in larger populations.

Ultrasound Technicians who enroll in an Associates degree program should expect it to take about two years to finish. There are other degrees online and at community colleges that can take anywhere from one year to 18 months to complete. Those who work in different areas may take images of the abdomen, or work in mammography providing images of breast tissue. The advancements in technology have made it easier to complete images of inside the body, which means there are more opportunities for careers in this field.

Dental assistants help dentists to provide patient care, keep records, and care for the dental equipment. Dental hygienists take care of cleaning teeth to promote hygiene and help avoid cavities and gum problems. Dialysis technicians maintain and monitor dialysis equipment, and also act as primary caregivers for patients undergoing dialysis treatment. Healthcare administrators — also known as healthcare executives or health services managers — are responsible for the planning, direction, and coordination of medical and health services.

Home health aides provide home care to individuals who require assistance in their day-to-day living. Medical laboratory technologists collect bodily samples and conduct tests to analyze those samples.

Patient care techs work directly with patients helping them with daily activities and assist the medical staff by measuring and monitoring the patients' vital signs among other tasks. As a Phlebotomist, it will be your responsibility to take blood samples from patients and send them to the lab for further testing. Physical therapist assistants provide physical therapy services to patients and aide to physical therapists. Surgical technologists — also known as operating room techs — prepare operating rooms and assist doctors and nurses during surgical procedures.

Veterinary Technicians assist veterinarians as well as diagnosing and treating animals, mostly in private clinics. Trained emergency medical technician that arrives at the scene to provide medical services such as resuscitation. MRI Technologists use a machine to scan the body and create a detailed image of the inside for doctors to analyze.