Ultrasound Technician Jobs
Learn about the benefits of working as an ultrasound technician and things to consider when looking for a job. Find out the typical schooling time needed to become an ultrasound technician and the starting salary in order to make wise career moves. Once you become informed about registry requirements that help you get that job, you can work your way towards a ultrasound technician job.
Facts
Ultrasound technicians, also known as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, play an important role in the medical field. Ultrasound provides diagnostic information that helps identify fetal health, presence of cancer in the body and other serious health problems. It is a great tool in helping diagnose certain diseases and is a minimally invasive test that is also low risk in comparison with other tests, such as x-ray. Ultrasound technicians usually go to school from 2 to 4 years, though there is a certificate program available through vocational institutions. They are generally employed in hospitals, doctors offices, medical centers, medical staffing agencies and other private medical facilities. The typical salary for an ultrasound technician is between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on the state you live in, your experience and any credentials held with the registry that is in charge of licensing technicians.
Potential
There is a great potential in expanding your career while in the ultrasound field. Many specialize and acquire education in areas like pediatric echo sonography or Level II Prenatal Ultrasound, which helps identify fetal abnormalities. Others go into the business for themselves and team up with a doctor to open their own imaging clinic or go into sales for medical equipment companies that can surprisingly offer hefty commissions for sales of ultrasound equipment to medical facilities.
An Important Factor
The ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers ) is the recognized registry organization for medical sonographers. Being registered with them has a significant advantage when being hired. Once you have taken a registry exam and pass a modality, you will be an RDMS. One of the benefits of being an RDMS is a higher salary, broader job field and probably your shift of choice with medical benefits and other privileges.
Types of Jobs
There is a huge income potential when going into the field when it comes to echo sonography. There is a great amount of jobs in this field that require this specialty as it focuses on examination of the heart. Vascular ultrasound is commonly taught to people who take echo sonography, which is ultrasound of the veins and arteries--another benefit of having in this field. Specialties, such as ultrasound of the breast, which is needed for breast cancer screening and treatment, are in high demand as well. Being educated in one these areas will help you get a job faster. Many people who are new in the field will get hired as per diem at first. This is a big step for a beginner, because your foot is in the door. Daytime shifts are ideal for many people and are available in some hospitals and doctor offices, but if you need a job and need it fast, this field is abundant with night shifts as there are always emergency and trauma centers open.
The Demand
A few states with the highest demand in the ultrasound field (in no specific order) are Arizona, Florida and Washington. Some states have a lack of qualified schooling in the field, so that creates a shortage in techs and a demand in the job field for qualified techs. If you live in Arizona or California, it will be almost impossible to get hired without being registered with the ARDMS. Some states will hire you without registry but will expect you to be registered within 1 year of your hire date. Do your research before getting in the field and if you are a current student and start making decisions about what path you'd like to take in the field of ultrasound.
Tags: echo sonography, this field, ultrasound technician, Diagnostic Medical, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers