Are you looking for a high paying career in the health care field? If you are, then consider a career as a sonography technician.  There is a growing requirement for sonographers and obtaining a job in this field is not difficult at all, as long as you pass the necessary requirements.

Sonography technicians are important team members in the health care system and the income potential is very rewarding as well. Let us look at how you can start a career as a sonography technician.

What is ultrasound and its’ uses in the field of medicine?

Ultrasound is a technology that uses high frequency sound waves to penetrate the human body and produce images of the internal organs, such as the liver, heart, and gall bladder.  The sound frequency that ultrasound machines generate is too high for humans to hear, but strong enough to penetrate the human body. The reflection of the sound produced is then used to produce images of internal organs. The images are used to diagnose a patient’s illness so that proper medications can be prescribed.

Ultrasound is similar to x-ray because it produces images of internal organs, but it does not use radiation.  Radiation can produce harmful effects to the human body and sound waves affect the body in less harmful ways. There are studies that indicate some potential risk factors with the use of ultrasound, but so far, this is the safest diagnostic equipment available today.  Ultrasound machines are calibrated to emit only the necessary amount of energy to produce a clear image, so that there are minimal harmful effects.

The use of ultrasound technology is more common when diagnosing pregnancy to ensure the health of the mother and the baby. The technology can produce clear images of the fetus so that doctors can monitor the development of the baby.  Ultrasound tests are done to identify the age of the fetus, the location, and the sex of the fetus. The tests are also performed to check if there are any physical abnormalities or any factors that can affect the health of the mother, such as ectopic pregnancy.

The use of ultrasound technology is also gaining popularity when detecting any abnormalities of other internal organs as well.  The technology is also used to diagnose eye problems as well.

What is the role of a sonography technician?

The role of a sonography technician is to operate the ultrasound machine, capture and interpret the images so that a doctor can diagnose the illness and decide on the course of treatment. A sonography technician is able to provide an initial diagnosis, but the final diagnosis is provided by a medical doctor. The job of a sonography technician is vital in the health care industry and each year more and more technicians are being hired due to the popularity of the use ultrasound in the medical field.

A sonography technician is also responsible for the upkeep and calibration of the ultrasound equipment. It is essential that this equipment be well maintained so that the images produced are accurate to give a better diagnosis.

How much get a sonography technician paid?

The median salary of a sonography technician is around $60,000 annually. This can go up to over $80,000 depending on the length of experience and additional training obtained. Sonography technicians work in government or private hospitals.  There are private doctor’s clinics that have ultrasound equipment and require a sonography technician as well.  Salaries differ at each location, but the initial offer will be based on your qualifications.

What are the training requirements for a sonography technician?

If you are considering becoming a sonography technician, then you will need to take and pass sonography courses.  Many colleges and universities offer these sonography technician courses. There are two-year courses that lead to an associate degree and there are four-year courses for a Bachelor of Arts degree.  Taking up four-year degree courses will lead to better job stability and more opportunities for advancement.  Once employed as a sonography technician, you may opt to take advanced courses to improve your qualifications.

So far, licensing is not required for a sonography technician in the United States, but it is a requirement for you to be registered with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.  Being registered with this certificate-giving body indicates that you have passed the necessary educational requirements and that you are indeed qualified to perform the work.  There are other advanced sonography technician courses and training available once you have completed the basic educational requirements.

There are vocational courses in sonography but these are mainly attended by people already in the medical field and would like to add sonography technician as one of their qualifications.  If you are not in the medical field or just considering sonography as a profession, then attending a two or four year degree course would be the best option.  Four-year courses allow for a better foothold in the profession. There are employers who will consider vocational courses, but the opportunities are limited.

There are continuing advancements in ultrasound technology.  There are ultrasound machines that can produce three-dimensional images of internal organs or even measure the blood flow in specific parts of your body. Ultrasound technology will continue to improve in the future.  As the technology advances, so will the need for more sonography technician, not only in the United States but also in every corner or the globe.