Ultrasound Technologist | What They Do, Salary, Required Skills, And More.

We will be taking a look at who an Ultrasound Technologist is, the role they play in the medical field, required certification to obtain to become a certified ultrasound technologist, skills they need to have, how much they get paid, etc.

Who is an Ultrasound Technologist?

There are quite several people who collectively function to ensure that the health care system is functional. Each of these groups of people has roles they play either in the hospital or in other medical settings.

Doctors play their role in diagnosing and treating patients, nurses serve as caregivers and have their roles in the treatment of patients. Nutritionist, pharmacist, lab scientist, etc each play their role.

The ultrasound technologist is one of such persons in the health care industry that plays a vital role in the diagnosis of patients. They have been rated as no 4 heath care support providing job.

An ultrasound technologist can also be referred to as a sonographer,  or an ultrasound technician. They are specialists in the examination of human body organs through the use of specialized equipment and tools. Most people think their work is just to scan pregnant women to see the progress of their pregnancy. Their work is however more than that.

They also perform scans on the reproductive system, abdomen, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Most times, they work in hospitals. They also work in private diagnostic labs, doctor’s offices, outpatient medical centers, etc.

The ultrasound technologist uses high-frequency equipment to create images of the internal body parts using sound waves that travel through the body and reflect on the machine.

Fields of specialization for Ultrasound Technologists.

There are different fields of specialty a person can pick in sonography they include:

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Gynecologic ultrasound
• Breast sonography
• Cardiovascular vascular sonography

Each of these areas of specialty concentrates on a special organ. You learn extensively about the organs and how to detect any abnormality in the organ. You can pick the specialty that you prefer and major in it.

Responsibilities of an Ultrasound Technologist

The major responsibility of an ultrasound technologist is the diagnosis of medical issues in a person’s internal organs. To efficiently do this, there are certain roles the sonographer is expected to play.

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• They are responsible for managing, maintenance, setting, and use of equipment
• They help prepare patients for certain procedures by telling them what to expect and what is required of them.
• The sonographer takes the scan of the patient, records the finding, and sends the report to the medical team for other diagnoses and treatments.

Skills required of an Ultrasound Technologist

Every job has certain skill requirements expected of professionals. These skills are what help them offer the best possible service. Certain skills are peculiar to the job a person is doing.

Those in the medical field are expected to have certain skills that will ensure they properly handle whatever case they have because the lives of people depend on their judgment. Any mistake or carelessness may cause someone his life.

For sonographers, they are expected to have certain soft skills and hard skills that are integral to their job. These skills include:

Soft skills

1. An ultrasound technologist should be compassionate and kind. You come in contact with people daily, patients and their relatives are most likely struggling with psychological issues as a result of whatever health challenges they may be having. The least you can do to them is show empathy. You should at no point be rude to them or act in anger. You must be kind and compassionate at all times.
2. Communication is key. You should have excellent communication skills and be a good listener at all times. Listening carefully to what the patient or their relative is saying could help in your diagnosis. Also when communicating with other health personals, you need good communication skills to work smoothly.
3. Teamwork is also critical. As an ultrasound technologist, you work alongside other medical personnel to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of patients. It is expected that you can work in sync with other members of your team.
4. A sonographer should be able to always be in control. Most times, you will be left alone to take scans and give reports. A sonographer should have the ability to work with little or no supervision.
5. It is also necessary that you have good professional ethics. You are not to go discussing patients’ health records with other people. This is against professional ethics. You should follow all professional codes of conduct and maintain high professional ethics at all times.

Hard skills

1. It is expected that an ultrasound technologist can operate all equipment necessary for his work. Proper hand and eye coordination are needed to be able to handle equipment properly and also get a proper diagnosis.
2. It is one thing to be able to handle equipment, it is another to be able to read and understand findings from the scan and record them properly. A sonographer is expected to have this invaluable skill.
3. Stamina and some level of strength are also important in this field of work. Certain equipment requires strength to be able to handle them.
4. Good knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and other relevant courses is important. They will help you make a proper diagnosis, you will be able to differentiate between a healthy organ and one which is having some issues. This is basically what ultrasound technology is all about. The ability to spot irregularities in organs

Ultrasound Technologist salary  in NY

The salary of an ultrasound technologist usually varies with qualification, years of experience, location, and the organization they are working with. Sonographers get paid well and they are ranked among the top paid 4 years course careers. Their salary is usually between $ 75,000 – 105,000 per annum. It is one of the best paying associate degree courses around also.

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Required certificates.

There are different certificate options for people who are looking to pursue a career in ultrasound technology. You can go for a 2-year program and obtain an Associate of Science degree (AAS) this option is available for those who have prior experience in the health care industry and are looking for a new career path in sonography. This is the minimum certificate accepted to allow you to practice.

It takes 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree as a sonographer. Those with a bachelor’s degree are usually at an advantage compared to those with just an AAS certificate. At the end of the degree program, you will be required to take an ARDMS qualifying examination.

You need to ensure that the program and school you are opting for is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied  Health Education Program.

Different states have specific requirements that a person is expected to pass to become an accredited licensed sonographer and is allowed to practice as an ultrasound technologist.

The required coursework consists of both classwork and a clinical externship. This is important to help the students learn both theory and practical aspects of the work.

Why seek a career in sonography.

There are many reasons why a career in ultrasound technology is a good and favorable option. Before now not many people were interested in studying ultrasound technology and there wasn’t much publicity about the possibility of choosing it as a career path.

A degree in sonography usually takes just 4 years. Then again you have the option of opting for the Associate of Science Degree which is just for 2 years. You do not have to spend too much time in school as in most other careers in the health care industry.

The salary is another reason why it is a good choice. As seen above, the salary is good and on average, it is best than most other short-term course career options.

You also have a variety of places you can choose to work in as an ultrasound technologist. You do not necessarily have to work in a hospital as other options of workplaces are available to you.

There is a strong growing market for ultrasound technologists, there is also an expected increase in their demand in no distant time.  There is an expected 17% growth increase expectancy within the next 10 years according to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics.

It is a good option for those who intend to seek a career path in the health industry but do not want to get involved with the “ goodness” involved in first-hand patient care like nursing and medicine.

The work is also not soo stressful. You are most times not required to stay overtime or have call duties. The work schedule is pretty flexible and you get time to do other things and rest.

Generally, ultrasound technologists enjoy a lot of advantages for their career choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

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