Getting to know the ardms
If you are a sonographer or have decided to start studying it, you will probably be familiar with the ARDMS. The ARDMS stands for American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and it is an organization responsible for certifying sonographers in the United States. Compared to other medical careers such as nursing, sonography doesn’t have an official licensing body or examination. The ARDMS aims to set standards for the occupation by making certification exams available all over the US.
A Short History on Sonography
Sonography is based on the principles of sound – particularly the ability of sounds to travel through air and liquid, and rebound off of solid structures. It was in 1794 that a study on sound waves and spatial orientation in bats was published by Lazara Spallanzani. By 1880, the ‘Piezoelectric Effect’ was discovered by Jacques and Pierre Curies, using earlier studies by other researchers. This effect is used today to create sound waves from crystal sheets found in a sonogram’s transducer.
Today, sonograms are constantly being updated. They are becoming smaller and more high-tech, able to perform the functions of large, immobile machines in hospitals. These newer models are sturdy and very portable, perfect for making sonography accessible to rural communities. Over 58,000 sonographers are employed in the United States, with ultrasound technician pay at $67,170 annually.
The ARDMS
The ARDMS was founded in 1975, as a non-profit, independent organization, setting a global standard for over 65,000 sonographers and medical occupations who perform sonography. It gives different examinations for different areas or fields of sonography, specifically giving credentials for:
· Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
· Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
· Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
· Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI)
There are currently 12 exams offered by the ARDMS to sonographers. The basic examination that needs to be taken by all sonographers is called the SPI – Sonography Principles and Instrumentation. After taking and passing an SPI exam, the sonographer can now take any of the specialty exams. A sonographer does not have to repeatedly take an SPI exam for every specialty exam he/she takes.
If you study in accredited schools for diagnostic medical sonography, you will be well-prepared to sit for any of the ARDMS examinations. CAAHEP programs have the best sonography training programs, available in certificate, associate, and bachelor degree courses.
The specialty exams are:
· Abdomen (AB)
· Breast (BR)
· Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
· Neurosonology (NE)
· Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
· Pediatric Sonoraphy (PS)
· Adult Echocardiography (AE)
· Pediatric Echocardiography
· Vascular Technology (VT)
Taking the first six exams will give you an RDMS credential, the next two an RCDS credential, and that last one an RVT credential. Other specialty exams include the Musculoskeletal Sonography Exam (MSK) and the Physicians Vascular Interpretation (PVI) exam.
Note: A sonographer may take the Fetal Echocardiography exam for either an RDMS or RDCS credential. After choosing which and passing the exam, no exchanges are allowed. Also, after taking and passing the SPI exam, the certified sonographer has to choose and take a specialty exam in the next five years.
ARDMS Accreditation
The ARDMS is accredited by the American National Standards (ANSI), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is actually an arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), one of the leading accrediting bodies in the United States.
Technically speaking, certification is not mandated by law. Sonographers do not need certification in order to practice, unlike licenses which are indeed mandated by law. However, once you start applying for work, you will notice that employers typically request an ARDMS (or CCI – Cardiovascular Credentialing International) certificate from applicants. It is better to be certified and have a specialty (or specialties!) to get a leg up over the competition. Visit the ARDMS website for details on application today!
A Short History on Sonography
Sonography is based on the principles of sound – particularly the ability of sounds to travel through air and liquid, and rebound off of solid structures. It was in 1794 that a study on sound waves and spatial orientation in bats was published by Lazara Spallanzani. By 1880, the ‘Piezoelectric Effect’ was discovered by Jacques and Pierre Curies, using earlier studies by other researchers. This effect is used today to create sound waves from crystal sheets found in a sonogram’s transducer.
Today, sonograms are constantly being updated. They are becoming smaller and more high-tech, able to perform the functions of large, immobile machines in hospitals. These newer models are sturdy and very portable, perfect for making sonography accessible to rural communities. Over 58,000 sonographers are employed in the United States, with ultrasound technician pay at $67,170 annually.
The ARDMS
The ARDMS was founded in 1975, as a non-profit, independent organization, setting a global standard for over 65,000 sonographers and medical occupations who perform sonography. It gives different examinations for different areas or fields of sonography, specifically giving credentials for:
· Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
· Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
· Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
· Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI)
There are currently 12 exams offered by the ARDMS to sonographers. The basic examination that needs to be taken by all sonographers is called the SPI – Sonography Principles and Instrumentation. After taking and passing an SPI exam, the sonographer can now take any of the specialty exams. A sonographer does not have to repeatedly take an SPI exam for every specialty exam he/she takes.
If you study in accredited schools for diagnostic medical sonography, you will be well-prepared to sit for any of the ARDMS examinations. CAAHEP programs have the best sonography training programs, available in certificate, associate, and bachelor degree courses.
The specialty exams are:
· Abdomen (AB)
· Breast (BR)
· Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
· Neurosonology (NE)
· Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)
· Pediatric Sonoraphy (PS)
· Adult Echocardiography (AE)
· Pediatric Echocardiography
· Vascular Technology (VT)
Taking the first six exams will give you an RDMS credential, the next two an RCDS credential, and that last one an RVT credential. Other specialty exams include the Musculoskeletal Sonography Exam (MSK) and the Physicians Vascular Interpretation (PVI) exam.
Note: A sonographer may take the Fetal Echocardiography exam for either an RDMS or RDCS credential. After choosing which and passing the exam, no exchanges are allowed. Also, after taking and passing the SPI exam, the certified sonographer has to choose and take a specialty exam in the next five years.
ARDMS Accreditation
The ARDMS is accredited by the American National Standards (ANSI), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is actually an arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), one of the leading accrediting bodies in the United States.
Technically speaking, certification is not mandated by law. Sonographers do not need certification in order to practice, unlike licenses which are indeed mandated by law. However, once you start applying for work, you will notice that employers typically request an ARDMS (or CCI – Cardiovascular Credentialing International) certificate from applicants. It is better to be certified and have a specialty (or specialties!) to get a leg up over the competition. Visit the ARDMS website for details on application today!