Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: Education You'll Need to be Successful in Orlando
Do you like working with people? Are you fascinated by the prospect of using constantly evolving technologies to peer into the secrets of the human body? Does the idea of gazing inside a mother's womb fascinate you? If so, you might have the right stuff to become a diagnostic medical sonographer or, as it's colloquially known, an ultrasound technician. Let's take a look at what you need to become a successful sonographer.
Interpersonal skills
You also need to be a skilled diplomat. Many of the people who come to you will be anxious about the results of the exam and will naturally ask you what the screen tells you. Some of them will ask you to show them what you are seeing.
In many cases, you have to be able to say no. The news might be alarming or even life changing. You haven't the time nor the training to explain the implications to them. Of course, the trickiest part of your daily life will be keeping the best secret of all, the perceived gender of the developing baby!
While a large part of your practice will involve working with maternity patients, you will also utilize your sonographic skills to inform specialists treating the abdomen, breast, vasculature, cancer, and nervous system.
Job Outlook for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
As a sonographer, you will most likely work in a hospital, clinic, doctor's office, laboratory, public health facility, or other medical setting. The field is expanding rapidly and is expected to grow by about 24 percent between 2014 and 2024. One of the reasons for this is that, because it relies on high-frequency sound waves instead of harmful-rays, sonography is safer than conventional radiologic procedures, for both you and the patient.
Other tangible benefits of choosing diagnostic medical sonography as a career are its portability. You can generally work anywhere in the country you like. The job usually comes with an attractive remuneration package, as well.
How to become a diagnostic medical sonographer
Some formal education is required in order to qualify as a cardiovascular or vascular technologist or diagnostic medical sonographer. An associate's or bachelor's degree in sonography, vascular technology or cardiovascular technology would be acceptable. Some accredited institutions offer suitable accelerated programs to help you move through school quicker.
If you are in high school and looking to plan your curriculum around a sonography or vascular/cardiovascular career, you should study hard in courses like anatomy, mathematics, physiology, and physics.
Certification for a Sonographer
When you've completed your academic education and before you are employable, you need to take the required certification examinations. These are available through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), which administers registration examinations in Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, the Abdomen, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) also offers certification test in Sonography.
Once you have passed your exams and earned your certificates, you will be eligible for placement on the national registry of diagnostic medical sonographers. This step could be your passport to employment anywhere in the United States.
Typical sonographer degree program
Classroom instruction is supplemented by a hands-on, interactive clinical externship. Together with your classmates, you will learn about:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Principles of ultrasound, operation, and quality control
- Invasive sonographic procedures
- Infection control
- How to record, process, and analyze diagnostic data
- Cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology
- Image production
- Medical emergencies
- Interpersonal communication, ethics and legal aspects of medical sonography
Are you excited about opportunities in the field of sonography? If you want to learn more about earning an Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, ECPI University can help. Don't hesitate, call one of our helpful admissions counselors today to discuss your future.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Sonography - Associate’s
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