Ultrasound techs are highly trained healthcare professionals. Also called sonographers, they have a good understanding of ultrasound physics, physiology and anatomy, and disease processes. An ultrasound career requires excellent eye-hand coordination. Interpreting an ultrasound image may seem counterintuitive, at first, but becomes easier with experience.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic medical sonography is a challenging career because it requires that one be both “book smart” and visual. This is difficult for some because an incredibly book-smart person does not necessarily make a great scanner, and a wonderful scanner may find the coursework difficult.

Essentially, ultrasound technicians are medical photographers who must be able to navigate each patient’s unique anatomy to obtain the appropriate images that will accurately demonstrate the patient’s health. They select different cameras for different examinations, and they choose different frequencies and other settings according to their patient’s physique.


Ultrasound Tech Salary

Sonographers generally make between $50,000 and $60,000 per year, although starting wages may be lower. Those who specialize in a particular type of ultrasound, such as cardiac ultrasound, may earn considerably more.

Ultrasound Technician School

The following are the steps you should take from preparing for ultrasound technician school to finding employment.

1. Become a competitive candidate. Diagnostic medical sonography programs are quite competitive. If your high school grades are less than exceptional, take some college courses to establish a college record. Earning a grade point average of 4.0 is ideal. In some programs, the lowest accepted GPA has been no lower than a 3.8.
   
   
2. Apply for an accredited program. While a two-year applied science program with a concentration in diagnostic medical sonography is acceptable, you may not be board registry eligible upon graduation. If you apply to an accredited program, you may take your board exam upon graduation.
   
   
3. Complete your didactic and clinical training. Diagnostic medical sonography programs include classroom work covering patient care, anatomy and physiology, and specific ultrasound courses. You will need to complete clinical work at a hospital with a registered sonographer. This is where you will develop hands-on experience with patient care and scanning. Some clinical instructors may challenge you, personally. Always show interest, ask questions, and do what they tell you.
   
   
4. Two to three months before graduation, send your resume to several potential employers. Many employers will hire new graduates with a contract clause of sitting for the registry exam within one year of employment.
   
   
5. Sit for the registry exam. Registered technicians have more opportunities and, in many cases, are the only sonographers considered for employment. Most traveling technician services require registered sonographers. Some hospitals pay higher wages for registered sonographers.

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