How To Be A Registered Sonographer

If yous love helping people and y'all are interested in a career in diagnostic imagery, or ultrasound technology, sonography may be a dandy career path for you. Equally a diagnostic tool, sonography is rubber, non-invasive, and depression-risk for patients and sonographers as there is no radiation exposure. Like other advanced care roles, a diagnostic medical sonographer is essential to patient care. While most people call up of OB/GYN and babies when they hear the give-and-take ultrasound, there's a wide range of specialties within the field. Learn more virtually condign a sonographer, how you lot can brand a difference in patients' lives, and whether this is the right career choice for you.

What Does an Ultrasound Tech Do?

You may be asking what does a diagnostic medical sonographer do? Diagnostic medical sonographers, besides known every bit ultrasound technicians, help doctors and other health intendance professionals assess and place a patient'south medical conditions. These professionals use imaging equipment that produces loftier-frequency waves to tape images or conduct tests on many parts of the body.

To understand a diagnostic medical sonographer jobs' daily responsibilities, it is essential you know the difference between an ultrasound and a sonogram. While nigh apply the terms interchangeably when discussing sonography, they are different. Ultrasound refers to the tool used to take a sonogram (or film). Here is an overview of the daily duties of an ultrasound tech:^one

Explain ultrasound diagnostic imaging to patients and record their medical history.
Follow approved procedures to ensure that diagnostic equipment is working properly.
Operate equipment nether authorized diagnostic image practices and approaches.
Review images for clarity, coverage, and suitability to detect the presence or absence of a presumed medical condition.
Distinguish between normal and abnormal anatomy to prepare a summary of your diagnostic findings for the attending physician.
Record findings and file patients' records per prescribed procedures.

Sonography professionals may work with doctors and surgeons earlier, during, and after these day-to-day procedures.

Different Types of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Diagnostic medical sonographers are professionals who tin work in multiple specialties. Depending on your passion or career path, y'all may desire to specialize in a particular type of sonography. For case, those interested in cardiology may wish to consider a cardiac sonographer role or if you prefer a diagnostic challenge, consider becoming a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. There is a wide variety of diagnostic medical sonographer and ultrasound tech jobs in the field considering at that place are a large number of titles cogent specialist roles, such every bit:ⁱⁱ

Cardiac Sonographer
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Medical Sonographer
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Sonographer
Staff Sonographer
Ultrasonographer
Ultrasound Tech
Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound Technologist

Types of sonographers: ¹

Abdominal sonographers — specialize in imaging abdominal cavities and other organs like the spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, or kidneys.
Breast sonographers — focus on imaging chest tissue in guild to find cysts and tumors.
Cardiac sonographers — sometimes called echocardiographers, specialize in imaging hearts, chambers, valves, and vessels.
Musculoskeletal sonographers — specialize in imaging joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Pediatric sonographers — perform imaging of infants and children.
Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers — analyze imaging for female person reproductive organs and unborn babies.
Vascular technologists or vascular sonographers — work with imaging to examine blood vessels, and measuring blood pressure and volume to detect claret clots.

While there is a significant number of designations inside the field of sonography, these professionals' tasks remain the aforementioned; to operate imaging equipment and bear tests on organs and tissues in the human body. Depending on the title, your work surround and salary may vary.

Why Work as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer?

Co-ordinate to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the diagnostic medical sonographer chore outlook is positive.³

Within the industry, the BLS projects the number of cardiac sonographers to grow.³

1 reason behind such a high projected growth rate is an aging population. Every bit more babe boomers historic period, the demand for diagnosing medical weather condition such as middle disease and blood clots will likely increase. In add-on, the medical industry volition continue to use alternative imaging techniques for those that require radiation.³

Best Places to Work equally a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

The post-obit is based on BLS data from May 2020:

States that have the highest employment level of diagnostic medical sonographers:

Land	Employment	Employment per thousand jobs
Texas	5,320	0.44
Florida	five,230	0.62
California	4,650	0.28
Pennsylvania	iii,550	0.64
New York	3,360	0.39

Find Your Path as a Medical Sonographer

SJVC is committed to easily-on grooming in the skills you need as a Medical Sonographer. Learn more than about our program and exciting opportunities.

Skills for Ultrasound Technicians

In addition to postsecondary education and training, ultrasound technicians or medical diagnostic sonographers must possess sure abilities and skills to ensure career success, this includes:^two

Psychomotor abilities:

Arm and hand steadiness — the ability to keep your arm and hand steady while holding them in one position.
Information ordering — the ability to arrange pictures and other things that follow a specific set of rules.
Oral expression — the ability to convey ideas or data so that others volition understand.

Soft skills:

Active learning — consists of agreement new information and applying it to electric current or future decisions.
Active listening — is when you lot are able to requite your full attention to someone who is speaking to you, and understand their perspective.
Critical thinking — is an arroyo to problem-solving with logic and reasoning, allowing yous to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in conclusions or alternative solutions.
Effective advice — conveys both written and spoken information in a compelling manner.
Functioning monitoring — focuses on sentry dials, indicators, and gauges to ensure the equipment is properly set up and working correctly.
Reading comprehension — is the deed of understanding, whether information technology is medical terms, sentences, or paragraphs in written form.
Social perceptiveness — allows you to empathize with others and sympathise why they may react as they practice.
Time management — is the process of managing your time and the time of others in an efficient manner.

How to Become an Ultrasound Technician

Curious nigh what steps you need to take to become an ultrasound technician? Diagnostic medical sonographers and technicians need a formal education. Fortunately, yous take more than 1 path you can have to run across your career goals. Diagnostic medical sonographers need formal instruction, such equally an acquaintance's degree or a postsecondary document. Many employers also require professional certification.

Diagnostic medical sonographer schooling at a community college or technical school that includes ultrasound tech programs might be a great option. And at SJVC, our programs are concentrated on accelerated studies that are focused on preparing you lot for a career in sonography.

It is typical for sonography programs to be divided into specialized fields such as breast sonography, abdominal sonography, cardiac, vascular, or staff sonography—which is someone who has a broad cognition of all applications in ultrasound engineering science rather than specializing in one detail employment.

General coursework includes anatomy, applied sciences, and medical terminology, with most curriculum requiring supervised clinical hours in hospitals, physicians' offices, or imaging laboratories. Program coursework for specialties similar cardiovascular and vascular technicians may comprehend invasive and not-invasive procedures.⁶

Do I Need Certification to Work every bit an Ultrasound Technician?

Diagnostic medical sonography certification is not mandated in some ultrasound technician positions. However, most employers prefer to hire diagnostic imaging workers with professional person certification, or they may wait applicants to earn certification shortly after being hired.

In add-on, many employers prefer to hire candidates who have a basic life support (BLS) certification, which affirms that they are trained to provide CPR.

Few states crave diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed. Typically, professional certification is required for licensure; other requirements vary by state. Contact state medical boards for more information.

What to Look for in a Medical Sonography Plan

A high-quality postsecondary educational activity is essential to a successful and rewarding career in sonography. With the many options available today choosing the right ultrasound tech school that fits your needs and lifestyle can be a tough determination. To aid make a decision between ultrasound tech programs, it is of import to have a shut wait at the iv key factors:

Price : higher education is an investment in your hereafter. As with about institutions, applicants to San Joaquin Valley College can apply for federal and state fiscal assistance programs and private financing. Scholarships, grants, and student loans are available to qualified students.

For more information on the current tuition costs at San Joaquin Valley College, please run into our bookish itemize.

Accreditation: Institutional accreditation indicates to employers an institution meets the fix standards of quality. Graduating from an accredited institution may be necessary for diagnostic medical sonographer certification and licensure.
Teacher quality : experienced administration and kinesthesia that build relationships with their students tin have a positive influence on how well those students larn. This tin can besides assistance to ensure their success.
Hands-on feel: because ultrasound technicians have direct patient contact, a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program must offer hands-on preparation.

Tin I Nourish Diagnostic Medical Sonography School Online?

While you may find other online programs that offer diagnostic medical sonographer pedagogy, the educators at San Joaquin Valley College understand the importance of students having a easily-on approach to sonography. Nosotros believe the best way to provide a holistic learning temper is with in-person written report at our Bakersfield, CA campus.

What Will I Acquire in SJVC's Diagnostic Medical Sonography Courses?

One of the nigh of import factors about Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs is what y'all will take away from your training. Students enrolled in the Associate of Science caste in Diagnostic Medical Sonography at San Joaquin Valley College acquire:

Fundamental elements and professional person aspects of sonography.
Ultrasound principles and instrumentation.
Abdominal ultrasound imaging.
Obstetrics, gynecology (OB-GYN), and vascular imaging.
How to collect patient history and supporting clinical data.
Facilitate optimum diagnostic results.
Perform ultrasound scanning procedures.
How to record and perform anatomic, pathologic, and physiologic scanning procedures.
Yous volition learn suitable skills to facilitate patient and colleague communications.

Ultrasound Tech Classes

Equally with other health intendance professionals, sonographers are an integral office of high-quality patient care. Because sonographers have directly contact with patients, it is essential students larn about the body'south anatomy and part. Additionally, students must study the proper usage of sonography equipment through a combination of coursework, lab work, and clinical hours during diagnostic medical sonographer preparation.

Upon successful completion of our 73-week diagnostic medical sonography plan, graduates earn an Associate of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Upon completion of 1,680 hours of work experience as a diagnostic medical sonographer, graduates are eligible to sit for the ARDMS certification exam. An alternative examination pathway is available to graduates who have earned a previous health studies credential (please run across the Program Managing director for more data). Students also earn certification in CPR/First Aid.

SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.

Core Course Requirements

Orientation to Ultrasound Imaging Seminar
Abdominal and Small Parts Ultrasound Imaging
Abdominal and Modest Parts Ultrasound Imaging Laboratory
Fundamentals of Sonography
Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound Imaging
Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound Imaging Laboratory
Patient Treat Sonographers
Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound Imaging
Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound Imaging Laboratory

Equally illustrated by the diversity of imaging requirements listed above, a big part of sonography is post-obit precise procedures in social club to capture the perfect paradigm needed to diagnose and treat the patient.⁶

Professional Aspects of Sonography
Concrete Principles & Instrumentation of Ultrasound
Concrete Principles & Instrumentation of Ultrasound Laboratory
Clinical Practicum I
Clinical Practicum II
ARDMS Certifying Test Review

General Teaching Requirements

Ethics
General Psychology
Introduction to Folklore

In addition to the Acquaintance of Science degree, graduates earn certification in CPR and First Aid.

Prepare for a Career in Medical Sonography With San Joaquin Valley Higher

SJVC'south Diagnostic Medical Sonography programme is available at our Bakersfield campus. Whether you are interested in working at a hospital, clinic, or radiology imaging heart, our diagnostic medical sonography training will ready you to work every bit an ultrasound tech or entry-level sonographer. As a small community college, your success is our success. To help ensure the achievement of our students, we offer several offset dates throughout the twelvemonth. Plus, small class sizes and career services to assistance you find a chore in your career field. To asking more information nigh the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program , delight visit our website.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer FAQ

What does a diagnostic medical sonographer practice?

A diagnostic medical sonographer takes images of and conducts tests on body parts using ultrasound equipment.

Are there medical sonographer certifications?

Yep, you can earn certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists followed by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Cardiovascular Credentialing International.

How long is a diagnostic medical sonographer program?

Some institutions offering ane-year certificate programs. The program at San Joaquin Valley College program is 17 months.

Asking Information

Our RN to BSN programme is a Bachelors caste completion pick for Registered Nurses.