Ultrasound is often used to monitor fetal development.
Diagnostic medical imaging has revolutionized the practice of medicine over recent decades. The field dates back to the first use of x-rays for imaging in 1896, but with the computer age a host of new technologies has allowed doctors to see the body's function in ways their predecessors could never have dreamed. One of these technologies is ultrasound, or sonography, and schools across the country train technicians to use it.
How Sonography Works
In sonography, an ultrasonic signal is directed into an area of the patient's body. The high frequency sound waves meet resistance, which varies with the density of the tissues they encounter. The echoes of the deflected sound waves are gathered and analyzed by the diagnostic equipment to generate an image of the area. The technician calls upon her training and experience to determine which images are useful for diagnostic purposes. The images are passed along to the attending physician, along with notes outlining any areas of interest.
Sonographic Training
There are several educational paths available to potential sonographers. Certified technicians from other diagnostic fields often cross-train in ultrasound to make themselves more employable, and for them there is an accelerated one-year course. Those just starting in the field can enroll in a two-year associate degree program or a four-year bachelor's degree program. Programs include instruction in basic science, as well as medically-related courses, such as anatomy or physiology. Clinical experience is a part of the degree program, and it is also possible to become an ultrasound technician purely by clinical experience. In practice, most employers prefer formal training.
Schools That Teach Sonography
Training always includes hands-on clinical experience, and schools provide varying degrees of classroom instruction depending on the length of the program. Trade and vocational schools frequently offer one-year vocational certificates and, occasionally, associate degrees. Community colleges and technical schools offer associate degrees and sometimes bachelor's degrees while universities and clinical teaching institutions offer bachelor's degrees. Students may choose any of these settings, depending on personal preference and their planned career path. Many of these programs are recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Credentials and Specialization
As of 2011, there is no licensing requirement for sonography, but professional certification is considered desirable by employers. Credentialing is offered through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART). The certification criteria vary somewhat, but all provide an assurance of professional knowledge and skills. Ambitious technologists may also go on to train in a specialized area of practice, such as obstetrics and gynecology, cardiac sonography or neurosonography.
Tags: degree program, American Registry, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, sound waves
