You may have heard of a pregnant woman getting an ultrasound to find out whether her baby is a male or female, but do you know what this medical job is actually called? Those who run ultrasound equipment are known as ultrasound technicians or stenographers. The technical term for this job is called a diagnostic medical sonographer. This technology is used in conjunction with diagnosing patients conditions, hence the diagnostic reference in the job title.
The job of an ultrasound technician is crucial to a hospital and is in demand as sonogram technology has gained in popularity as an accurate method to diagnose medical conditions. It can save a lot of time to run this type of process, because it means a doctor does not have to perform surgery to understand the condition of a patient. Many medical facilities need these technicians including clinics, hospitals, labs and private practices. The job outlook for this profession is in an upward trend and is drawing many to this field.
Ultrasound Technician Salary
Another reason so many people are pursuing this career is the salary that it pays. Starting salaries for a sonographer can range from $50,000 to $65,000 per year. This is all with just a 2 year degree in diagnostic medical sonography. The salary nationwide is on par with the aforementioned figures, but does vary depending on geographical location. Experience will also determine how much you make. After 5-10 years of working, you can expect salary ranges from $75,000 to $80,000.
Ultrasound Technician Education
There are many schools that offer this type of training and online education is becoming very popular for this particular field. One thing for those searching for education programs, is to insure that the institution is accredited by the CAAHEP. This is a very important factor and many employers will only hire those that have gained training and certification at an accredited school.
Ultrasound Technician Requirements
Some requirements for this job are to be proficient in math and science. You will gain all the skills you need by going through a training program, but if these are not strong subjects for you, you may not wish to pursue this career as you will be using these skills often.
Once you have gone through the basic training to become an ultrasound technician, you have the option of continuing your education to specialize in a particular field within sonography. Some of these fields include neurosonography, OBGYN, abdominal, cardiac, and vascular sonography.
Overall if you are considering entering the field of medicine, this is a job you should look into. It Is financially rewarding and offers a lot of growth potential. You can advance your career over time or just know that it is an occupation where you won’t have to work about being out of work. With tough economic situations, it is more an more important to choose a career that will be around for the long haul and becoming an ultrasound technician is just that.