Become a Sonographer: How-to and resources
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Anyone considering a career in Diagnostic Medical Sonography will appreciate the options available in accredited programs, specialization options and job opportunities. This is a dynamic healthcare profession utilizing state-of-the-art technology to deliver effective, non-invasive patient examinations that produce images used to assess organs, tissues, cardiovascular systems and fetus development.
Sonographers or Ultrasound Technicians must be able to demonstrate high skill levels and meet quality standards as evidenced through completion of an accredited educational program and credentialing. |
Education paths
To be as competitive as possible in the job market, it is important to choose a program in ultrasound technology that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). They are the best programs available to meet a variety of needs in terms of location, specialization, length and type of degree. Following is a summary of the typical educational path:
Step 1
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Meet the minimum primary educational requirements:
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Step 2
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Determine the type of degree or certificate desired because that influences the choice of program:
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Step 3
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Consider a specialty because that also influences the choice of programs. In addition to general sonography that includes abdomen, breast, neurosonology, fetal echocardiography, and obstetrics and gynecology, students can attend programs offering instruction and training in a specialization such as:
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Step 4
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Verify the admission and program prerequisites:
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Step 5
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Consider the program costs and determine if financial assistance is needed:
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earning a credential as a diagnostic medical sonographer
The CAAHEP website makes it easy for students to locate accredited programs by state and desired degree or credential. All the CAAHEP-accredited programs have a common and important feature. Each program includes didactic and clinical training that prepares graduates to sit for credentialing exams offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and other accrediting agencies. The ARDMS is a nationally and internationally recognized certification organization for non-physician professionals performing ultrasound examinations. Many employers require job applicants to have ARDMS registration before they will even consider them for positions.
To earn the credential, it is necessary to pass designated exams. The RDMS is the general credential for all sonographers.
The remaining credentials require passing additional exams over and above the exams for the RDMS designation: |
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The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) offers Sonography Certification in abdominal/general and obstetrics and/or gynecologic ultrasound. It is also possible to earn certification in Vascular Sonography or Breast Sonography, if already holding ARRT certification in Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiography, Radiation Therapy or Sonography.
A third ultrasound technology credentialing organization is Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Applicants
can pass exams to become a Registered Cardiac Sonographer, Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographe,
Registered Phlebology Sonographer, Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist, Registered Vascular Specialist or Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist.
Credentialing is important because it serves as a means of quality control in lieu of state licensing. As of 2014 there are two states requiring licensing before professionals are allowed to work as Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Ultrasound Technologists or Ultrasound Technicians: Oregon and New Mexico.
However, other states like New Jersey and West Virginia are debating whether licensing should be required, so it is always important to verify and meet current requirements before seeking employment.
However, other states like New Jersey and West Virginia are debating whether licensing should be required, so it is always important to verify and meet current requirements before seeking employment.
Research employment opportunities
The outlook for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers is excellent. There is a growing trend to move towards greater utilization of non-invasive, affordable medical examinations like ultrasound. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 46 percent increase in employment opportunities from 2012 to 2022. To date, hospitals have been the primary employers of Ultrasound Technicians, but many other opportunities exist. When searching for employment also consider settings like physician offices, laboratories, clinics, mobile medical units and county health departments.
There is increasing emphasis being placed on expanding the number of people on health insurance, lowering the cost of healthcare, making healthcare services available to everyone and increasing preventive medicine practices. The natural result is a shift towards providing more outpatient care and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will play a vital role in this process.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earn high pay. The May 2012 federal wage survey says the average annual wage was $66,360 annually, and that is a livable rate of $31.90 per hour. However, there is a lot of opportunity to selectively choose high growth locations paying more than the national average wage rate. The high employment states for sonographers in May 2012 were California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. The top paying states were California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The pay rates in these states are quite a bit higher than the national average. For example, sonographers in California were paid an average hourly wage of $40.49 or $84,220 annually. | Check salary for sonographers by state and by city.
There are excellent resources available to assist those looking for Diagnostic Medical Sonography positions:
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an excellent career choice for people who want to work in the healthcare industry but prefer not to become a nurse or radiology technician. Ultrasound Technicians do not work with radioactive materials, and that fact alone makes this profession more appealing. However, it is important to research the many duties required of the typical sonographer to ensure this is a good choice. Jobs normally require some shift, weekend and on-call work. It can also be a physically strenuous job requiring a lot of standing, walking and assisting patients with examinations. Positions also require maintaining patient records and performing administrative duties like patient scheduling.
There is increasing emphasis being placed on expanding the number of people on health insurance, lowering the cost of healthcare, making healthcare services available to everyone and increasing preventive medicine practices. The natural result is a shift towards providing more outpatient care and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers will play a vital role in this process.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers earn high pay. The May 2012 federal wage survey says the average annual wage was $66,360 annually, and that is a livable rate of $31.90 per hour. However, there is a lot of opportunity to selectively choose high growth locations paying more than the national average wage rate. The high employment states for sonographers in May 2012 were California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. The top paying states were California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The pay rates in these states are quite a bit higher than the national average. For example, sonographers in California were paid an average hourly wage of $40.49 or $84,220 annually. | Check salary for sonographers by state and by city.
There are excellent resources available to assist those looking for Diagnostic Medical Sonography positions:
- Join the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and take advantage of its networking opportunities and job leads
- Visit state operated job listing websites
- Utilize O*Net OnLine which provides employment and wage information for sonographers on a state and local basis and offers easy access to job listings in state and national job banks
- Consult with the school career counseling office and the sonography program staff
- Post a resume on the large online job search website
- A Few Tips to Keep in Mind
Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an excellent career choice for people who want to work in the healthcare industry but prefer not to become a nurse or radiology technician. Ultrasound Technicians do not work with radioactive materials, and that fact alone makes this profession more appealing. However, it is important to research the many duties required of the typical sonographer to ensure this is a good choice. Jobs normally require some shift, weekend and on-call work. It can also be a physically strenuous job requiring a lot of standing, walking and assisting patients with examinations. Positions also require maintaining patient records and performing administrative duties like patient scheduling.
If this seems like the right career choice, there are many opportunities to enter educational and training programs. Four of the best tips to keep in mind are:
- Do in-depth career and program research
- Plan well ahead
- Apply early because many programs limit each class enrollment to ensure admitted students get quality training
- Personally contact program directors or other staff to ask questions and get more information as needed