Are you interested in becoming an ultrasound technician? There’s a lot of information out there about this job, but it can be hard to find the best resources. This guide will help you figure out what an ultrasound technician does and how to become one.
What does an ultrasound technician do?
An ultrasound technician is an individual who performs diagnostic medical imaging, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on patients. An ultrasound technician must have a license issued by their state for performing these scans, which are performed in hospitals or clinics.
The work of an ultrasound technician usually involves assisting physicians with patient care; however, there are many other job opportunities available in this field as well. For example, they might work at a hospital where they perform ultrasounds on patients during surgery or emergency room visits. Or they can apply their skills by working at an outpatient practice where they do ultrasounds before prescribing medication or scheduling follow-ups with doctors’ offices.
How to become a sonographer?
In a sonography program, you will take classes with your cohort and attend clinical rotations together. Programs do not typically offer much flexibility to choose electives (classes outside of the core curriculum), so if there’s a specialty that catches your attention but isn’t included in the curriculum—for example, breast imaging —you can request during orientation or early in the program that your clinical work includes training on this particular modality.
For example, if you want to be a radiologist, you might request that your clinical work includes training in the area. It’s important to know that sonography programs do not typically offer much flexibility to choose electives, so if there’s a specialty you’d like to pursue, you can request that your clinical work includes training in the area.
The salary is good and the work hours are not too crazy.
There are many benefits to becoming an ultrasound technician. The job can be very rewarding and there are often opportunities for advancement, so you’ll never feel like your current position is the limit of what you can do. Most states require that ultrasound technicians have at least one year of experience before they can take the exam and become licensed, but some states may require that you have more than one year under your belt before taking the test.
If you’re interested in becoming an ultrasound technician, here’s what it takes:
- Get certified by your state’s licensing board
- Attend educational classes on how to use diagnostic equipment safely and effectively
- Practice using diagnostic equipment (including machines used during pregnancy)
What kind of education and/or training do I need?
There are two ways to become an ultrasound technician:
- You can get a degree in ultrasound technology or if you’re willing to spend more money and time, a certificate program. Certificate programs are usually shorter and less expensive than four-year degrees but may not prepare students for the types of work they’ll be doing once they graduate.
- If your goal is just to get some experience working on real equipment, then it’s possible to take classes at local community colleges or vocational schools that focus on healthcare careers like this one.
It takes time and money to get certified, but it’s not impossible.
Becoming an ultrasound technician is a long process that requires time, money, and dedication. It takes years to get certified as an ultrasound tech and you’ll need to spend some cash on classes and exams—but it’s not impossible.
To become a certified ultrasound technologist (ACUT), you’ll need to:
- Get a bachelor’s degree in radiology or physical therapy with 10 years of experience in healthcare settings. This can take up to four years depending on your school and job opportunities along the way.
- Take an exam administered by the American Registry for Radiologic Technologists every two years during your career as well as every four years after being licensed as an ACUT until retirement age (65). If you’re under 40 when first licensed by ARRT then they will waive this requirement so long as they accept renewal applications within one year after reaching 40 years old instead!
The profession is growing rapidly, so now is a good time to enter it if you’re interested!
As an ultrasound technician, you’ll be working in a clinical setting and treating patients. You’ll also need to be able to work with others in a team environment, as well as independently. The profession is growing rapidly, so now is a good time to enter.
If you’re interested in becoming an ultrasound technician, start by getting your associate’s degree. You can then take the certification exam to become certified in the field. After that, you’ll be ready for employment!
The Bottom Line
Ultrasound technicians are in high demand, and there are a lot of reasons why you should want to become one. As an ultrasound technician, you’ll be helping people with their health concerns. You’ll also be able to help them make informed decisions about their health by being able to diagnose potential problems with their doctor’s help.
In this post, we have explained how one can become an ultrasound tech in simple and clear terms. We hope that you liked our write-up on this topic and will work towards your goals in life with a renewed spirit!
