Ultrasound techs perform diagnostic medical tests that create pictures of the internal structures of patients' bodies through the use of sound waves. The demand for professionals in the field should increase by 18 percent from 2008 through 2018, creating around 9,200 new jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Technicians make an average of $63,640 per year, explains BLS as of May 2009, and must meet training and skill requirements to secure employment.
Education
Post-secondary education is generally necessary to become an ultrasound technician, though educational requirements vary among employers. Some technicians receive certificates or diplomas from post-secondary vocational or technical schools or hospital training programs. These courses of study may last for as little as one year. Approximately 25 percent of ultrasound technicians have some college like a certificate or diploma, but no formal degree, according to the Occupational Information Network. Around 42 percent, the majority of technicians have two-year associate degrees from community, junior or technical colleges. Another 25 percent have four-year baccalaureate degrees from traditional colleges or universities. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) provides accreditation for sonography programs; as of 2008, more than 150 schools in the United States held credentials from the commission.
Skills
To be successful in the field, ultrasound technicians must possess certain skills and traits. Hand-eye coordination, arm steadiness and manual dexterity are integral in controlling the equipment used to perform ultrasounds. This equipment usually consists of a wand-like object called a transducer, which technicians typically press against a patient to produce images on a monitor. Technicians must have good oral communication skills in order to explain procedures and provide instructions to patients. Reading comprehension is necessary to understand physicians' orders for tests as well as attentiveness to detail to ensure that the appropriate part of the body receives testing. At times, sonography equipment may malfunction, making problem solving and trouble-shooting skills important for ultrasound technicians.
Credentials
Although states do not require ultrasound technicians to obtain professional, government-issued licensing before working in the field, some employers may require techs to have voluntary certification to receive employment consideration. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography oversees certification programs for ultrasound technicians. Separate designations are available for cardiac sonographers, who make images of the heart; vascular sonographers, who make images of blood vessels; and general sonographers, who may specialize in abdominal, breast, obstetric, or nervous systems ultrasound. To qualify for certification, students must complete a CAAHEP-approved education program and then pass a written examination.
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