Become a Sonographer

This article provides an overview of things you might be interested in knowing if you were interested in becoming a sonographer.

A sonographer is an individual who is trained to use ultrasound technology to examine various parts of the human body. Sonographers make use of specialized sound-wave equipment to create images which may be videotaped, transmitted, or photographed for later use by physicians to make a medical diagnosis. They are trained to not only conduct the exam but also to monitor the screen which displays the images during the exam in order to select which images to store and show to the physician. Various specialties within the profession include obstetric sonography (the female reproductive system), cardiac sonography (the heart), abdominal sonography (the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas), vascular sonography (blood vessels), neurosonography (the brain), or breast sonography.

Education, Certification, Licensing

Formal training to become a sonographer can take anywhere from one to four years, depending on the level of education and the credential (degree or certificate) being earned. Individuals already in the health care field who are looking to increase their marketability by training in sonography may want to consider a one-year certificate program. However, a more common approach is to pursue a two-year (associate) or four-year (bachelors) degree program at an accredited college or university. Students should be careful to select a reputable program which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

No states presently require licensure in sonography; however, many employers prefer to hire sonographers who hold a formal credential in the field. The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) certifies the skills and knowledge of sonographers through a process which leads to the awarding of a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) designation. In order to earn this credential, an individual is required to pass an exam which consists of testing in general physical principles and instrumentation as well as testing in a specialty (e.g., obstetric, cardiac, abdominal, or some other type of specialized sonography). Certification must be kept current by completing a required number of continuing education hours periodically.

This article on ultrasound schools and jobs has been provided courtesy of City Town Info.