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Ultrasound Technician Job, Salary, Training, Certification And other useful articles written by a certified ultrasound technician.

What is an Ultrasound Technician?

Ultrasound technicians have an important role in medical care because they supply vital information for doctors to assess medical conditions. Doctors also use the information provided by ultrasound technicians to help monitor pregnancies and other medical conditions that have the potential to become problematic.

Responsibilities

Ultrasound technicians take sonograms or ultrasonograms of patients as directed by physicians so the physicians can monitor, diagnose or test for possible medical problems. Other responsibilities include adjusting and maintaining sonography /ultrasonography equipment, positioning patients to get the clearest possible images as well as selecting the best images for the doctor to review. Maintaining accurate records related to patient exams is part of the job as well. Ultrasound technicians may also be responsible for diagnostic imaging equipment evaluations and purchases.

Education

Many schools offer two year (associate level) and four year (bachelor level) training programs for future ultrasound technicians. Students can take classes at a community college, a university or a vocational school. As with any profession, the higher level of education you obtain will increase your ability to find a job and starting salary. Another option available for becoming an ultrasound technician is that some hospitals offer training programs and often hire students after they graduate.

Employment Opportunities

Ultrasound technicians can work in hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers or physicians’ offices. The many different specialties an ultrasound technician can pursue affect their employment opportunities. Ultrasonic technician specialties include abdominal sonography, echocardiography, neurosonography, obstetric/gynecologic sonography and ophthalmic sonography. Demand for ultrasound technicians is expected to increase by 60% over the next ten years.

Salary

As of 2011, ultrasound technician salaries range from $35,378 - $77,150 or more. The middle 50% in this profession earn approximately $67,379 per year. The technician’s level of training, previous experience and the size of the company they work all affect their earning potential. Many ultrasound technicians choose enter the work force after completing a two year degree and advance their career by continuing their education while they’re working in the field.

Being an ultrasound technician can be a very personally and financially rewarding career. However, ultrasound technicians often have to see several patients and a day and perform their duties quickly without compromising the quality of their results. Attention to detail, precise operational ability and good patient relationship skills are essential requirements for this career path.