The diagnostic medical sonographer who is commonly referred to as the ultrasound technician is responsible in making clear images of patient’s internal organ and soft tissues in order to be fully diagnosed by the medical doctor. The sonographer is also responsible of other duties such as communicating with the patients, making sonograms for the patients, managing and maintaining ultrasound machines and other related medical equipment. To become an ultrasound tech, one needs to accomplish several requirements such as the sonographer education and training. Here is a guide, which will give you an idea of what it takes to become a qualified technician with a high salary.
One of the most important requirements is the sonographer training that is completed in any of ultrasound tech schools. This school should offer accredited sonography degree programs. The degree programs can be categorized into three categories including one-year certificate programs, two-year associate degree programs and four-year degree programs. Because professionals from the field of ultrasound sonography are highly in demand nowadays, several training institutes are offering all or some of the accredited programs to cater the increasing number of applicants who want to pursue ultrasound careers. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs is the accrediting body, which gives accreditation to programs. Just contact their office to make sure that the program you choose is accredited by CAAHEP.
Another important requirement to be accomplished is the clinical training. Ultrasound students will not be eligible to graduate if the clinical training is not accomplished. Clinical training is part of the curriculum for sonography degree. In this training, the students are supervised by professional sonographers and other medical professionals to be acquainted of the real duties and responsibilities of the ultrasound technician. The different techniques and principles learned by the students during the theoretical education are all applied in the training. Schools have accredited training facilities for the students to complete their clinical training. Usually, the students will be in hospital and health centers to complete their programs.
License for sonographers is optional however. There are states, which have strict rules regarding the license of those who are in the medical careers especially for the ultrasound technicians. License is also important for the medical employers to gauge your real skills and expertise when ultrasound principles and techniques are involved. It is better to acquire the license from the professional organizations such as ARDMS or CCI. Ultrasound professionals who acquired the license are offered higher ultrasound tech salary when compared to those who did not opt to have the license.
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