Certification of ultrasound technician from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an essential stepping stone for the real life success gained from studying and pursuing a career in ultrasound sonography. However, before the technician is issued such kind of certification, there must be relevant requirements to accomplish. Here are the crucial requirements one needs to become a registered diagnostic medical sonography.
Completion of Ultrasound Technology Degree Programs
In any ultrasound school, an important requirement is for the applicant to have a high school diploma. It is the needed for the student to continue pursuing his dream career of becoming a sonographer. Look for accredited schools that have a minimum requirement of high school diploma to be enrolled in the degree of medical sonography.
Make sure the school of your choice is listed in the accredited schools and programs of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. If you are not confident with the claim of the school with certifications and accreditation, call the office of CAAHEP or log on to their website and look for the list of the accredited programs they issued certifications to.
Upon enrollment, decide whether what sub-specialty in ultrasound sonography you will concentrate in the duration of the completion of the degree study. Some of the sub-specialties in this field are obstetrics and gynecological sonography, abdominal sonography, vascular ultrasound, echocardiography, neurosonography and ophthalmologic sonography.
Completion of Clinical Trainings
In the course of finishing the sonography degree, the student must have accomplished certain number of hours in doing clinical trainings or on-job-training. This is to have hands-on experience of the real work of the ultrasound tech. Make sure to get the list of prerequisites issued by ARDMS on the required number of clinical training depending on the type of degree chosen to pursue.
Completion of Credentials and Specialty from the ARDMS
ARDMS is offering four main certifications including Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS), Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS), Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) and Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI). There are nine specialties included within these four certifications. In order to qualify for certification, the applicant should be able to pass two exams to gain credentials. The Principles of Instrumentation exam and the corresponding specialty exam are the two exams needed to be awarded credentials.
After choosing the certification and specialty credentials, apply for the certification in the website of the ARDMS. Paying the corresponding application fees will give you the opportunity to take the certification. Mail the needed documents and wait for the confirmation letter from the ARDMS within two to four weeks. If you do not get a notification letter from the ARDMS, you are not eligible to take the certification.
Completion of Examination
Upon receiving the Confirmation Letter from ARDMS office, the applicant is needed to schedule to the examination within 90 days from the receipt of the letter. Testing centers are located throughout the US and if you need to view where your testing center location is, there is a testing site locator in the ARDMS website. During the examination, you will be required for two identification cards with photo and make sure to bring the confirmation letter.
Completion of the Exam
If the applicant passes the exam, a temporary certification packet and permanent packet will be sent later on. If the applicant doesn’t pass the exam, there is a re-application to re-take the exam.
There is a fee for maintaining certification from the ARDMS. Upon receipt of the certification packet, the ultrasound technician is now ready to look for a job that means he now has the opportunity to earn a high paying rate in the industry.
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