Students who are driven by an interest in science and mathematics in high school will often find themselves drawn to a medical track in college. The term medical can refer to a medical doctor, or even nursing and sonography. There are numerous programs offered by different schools all over the US, with just over 200 accredited by the CAAHEP. There are programs that range between 12 months and 4 years available at most schools throughout the country.
Ultrasound Technician Education
The first step to any career path is to study a related undergraduate training program. For prospective sonographers, the name used for most sonographer programs is Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). The DMS program is offered at the following program lengths: 12 months (certificate), 2 years (associate degree), and 4 years (bachelor degree). There are different specializations to choose from as well, but mainly four according to the CAAHEP: general, cardiac, vascular, pediatric cardiac.
For students who need financial aid, there are different scholarships offered by schools and organizations, such as an SDMS scholarship. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography scholarships offer more than five scholarships and grants each year to sonography students who need them. Other organizations and companies also offer scholarships and grants, such as GE. It just takes a lot of research and preparation in order to qualify for any of them; students usually need a maintaining GPA as well as extracurricular activity to keep the scholarship and/or grant.
For students who need financial aid, there are different scholarships offered by schools and organizations, such as an SDMS scholarship. The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography scholarships offer more than five scholarships and grants each year to sonography students who need them. Other organizations and companies also offer scholarships and grants, such as GE. It just takes a lot of research and preparation in order to qualify for any of them; students usually need a maintaining GPA as well as extracurricular activity to keep the scholarship and/or grant.
Projected growth
Periodically, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases reports about all registered occupations in the US. Sonograpy is constantly among the top 100 occupations that receive high annual salaries, amounting to $67,170 on average. In the highest paying states, a sonographer can earn more than $100,000 in a single year (particularly in California). And it only gets better from those numbers.
Sonography is actually ranked 6th among 30 occupations that the BLS reports to have the fastest growth between 2012 and 2022. They expect almost a 50 percent (46% exactly) increase in employment of sonographers in a ten-year span, beating the nationwide average of a measly 11 percent. Other similar occupations to sonography such as cardiovascular techs have lower projected employment rates of 30 to 39 percent.
Sonography is actually ranked 6th among 30 occupations that the BLS reports to have the fastest growth between 2012 and 2022. They expect almost a 50 percent (46% exactly) increase in employment of sonographers in a ten-year span, beating the nationwide average of a measly 11 percent. Other similar occupations to sonography such as cardiovascular techs have lower projected employment rates of 30 to 39 percent.
Compassion and Interpersonal
Choosing a career is one thing but having a career choose you is another. To be a sonographer, a person needs to have a certain set of skills and characteristics. Compassion and interpersonal skills are two things, a characteristic and a skill, that go hand in hand. In order to deal with a job that allows you help heal people, a lot of compassion is needed.
Sonographers will often have to deal with people who do not have the funds for the procedure or medication they needs. Sometimes, medical professionals harden their hearts to protect themselves from the energy that being in health care takes from them – sonographers are not any different. In your career as a DMS, you will be able to encounter a myriad of problems experienced by a single patient.
Beyond technical skills like hand-eye coordination, a sonographer has to be able to communicate well with his or her patients as well as colleagues. Interpersonal skills is not only a must for sonographers, but all occupations in health care – one of the industries that have day-to-day interaction with people.
For aspiring sonographers, the path to a successful sonography career will always be difficult but entirely worth it. You can visit the CAAHEP website to see what accredited schools are available in your area so you can begin completing your requirements early.
Sonographers will often have to deal with people who do not have the funds for the procedure or medication they needs. Sometimes, medical professionals harden their hearts to protect themselves from the energy that being in health care takes from them – sonographers are not any different. In your career as a DMS, you will be able to encounter a myriad of problems experienced by a single patient.
Beyond technical skills like hand-eye coordination, a sonographer has to be able to communicate well with his or her patients as well as colleagues. Interpersonal skills is not only a must for sonographers, but all occupations in health care – one of the industries that have day-to-day interaction with people.
For aspiring sonographers, the path to a successful sonography career will always be difficult but entirely worth it. You can visit the CAAHEP website to see what accredited schools are available in your area so you can begin completing your requirements early.