Students have several reasons why they pursue a profession as an ultrasound technician. Some of the reasons include the financial rewards, non-exposure to radiation, easily acquired training, stability of employment and ultrasound being considered as a clean procedure. What are the considerations should a student know before fully deciding on taking the career to become an ultrasound sonographer?
Medical sonographers are responsible for handling the initial diagnosis of the patient’s disease. With the use of the sound waves emitted by the ultrasound machine, the technician is able to capture clear images of the damaged internal organs of the patients. They are also responsible in the management and maintenance of the ultrasound imaging machines. Now, if you are considering pursuing a career as an ultrasound tech, look at the different reasons why you should decide to become a sonographer in the near future.
Ultrasound tech training is easily accessible and attainable. Today, there is a high demand of ultrasound sonographers especially in the USA. That is why several sonography schools are now offering accredited programs for ultrasound technology. Trainings to become an ultrasound technician can be easily acquired in less than two years. The good thing about this profession is that license is optional. The only thing you need to secure before enrollment is the school or program accreditation from CAAHEP. Program accreditation is very important especially later on when you need to do credentialing examination offered by ARDMS.
Ultrasound is safe with radiation. Since ultrasound just makes use of the sound waves from the machines, it is considered to be one of the safest ways to diagnose diseases from patients. Unlike other radiology testing methodologies that expose the patient’s body in high levels of radiation, ultrasound promises patients that there will be no exposure to radiation.
Comparing with other medical procedures, ultrasound sonography requires a procedure that does not require any blood or bodily fluids. Ultrasound is a clean procedure, so you need not to worry about blood and unwanted fluids when you choose a sonographer career.
The ultrasound technician career offers attractive financial rewards. The national average ultrasound salary is $64, 400 according to the report of the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Among the states that compensate sonographers, the top three are Colorado, California and Oregon. In these states, the sonographer salary even surpasses the national average and can go as high as $90 000 yearly. If you are seeking for a high starting salary, do not accept jobs in the state of Alabama and Alaska because they are listed in the states having the lowest compensation for ultrasound technicians. Ultrasound income varies depending on factors like location, years of experience and trainings and accreditation received. Be ready to receive a lower salary if you are newly employed. Those technicians who have already rendered a long time service in this profession will receive a relatively high compensation. Credentials or licenses are also a factor affecting salary range, so it is wiser to get license even though it is optional.
Another rewarding benefit of choosing a career as a medical sonographer is the employment stability and availability of jobs. The ultrasound sonography field is among the fastest growing profession nationwide with an expected growth of 18% from 2008 to 2018. This growth even exceeds the growth of other medical profession in the country. The data is based on the report of the US BLS.
Being an ultrasound technician is indeed self-rewarding because you get to use the skills you learned from school to help other people specially those sick and diseased patients.
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