Ultrasound Technician
The person who performs an ultrasound or sonography is called an ultrasound technician. An ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure, in which high-frequency sound waves are used to get dynamic images of the internal organs. Now the sonography is used even to scan digestive system and nervous system.
Ultrasound Technician Job Description
A sonographer or an ultrasound technician work in hospitals, clinics and private health centers. The job involves in preparing the patient for a sonograph or ultrasound exam. They have the responsibility of comforting the patient who come for the first time, as well as pregenant women and people with pain and sickness. There might be nervous patients and the Ultrasound Technician is required to record their medical history as well. The technician also has to help the patient undress at times and prepare them for sonograph.
The job also includes regular maintenance of the ultrasound equipments as they are very expensive. The machines have to be cleaned after usage on every single patient for health safety. In certain speciality health organization and laboratories, the Ultrasound Technician has the added responsibility of cleaning the examination rooms too.
Normally, the licensed physicians will make the diagnosis of the ultrasound. But the Ultrasound Technician has to know how to analyze results to save the doctor’s time in helping the patient. This skill will help in the career growth. All the paper works are normally done in the respective departments, so the Ultrasound Technician also has the task of maintaining patient’s records and assist the physicians and nurses in tracking the record of the required patient and the ultrasound results. The tasks will vary if the sonographer specializes in a particular filed like emergency room service, where the focus is on quick patient care; cardiology specializing concentrates on heart, OB/GYN involves in pregnant women and related ultrasounds.
Ultrasound Technician Training and Certification
As with all the other courses, becoming an ultrasound technician requires a specialized training program since this field requires unique skills. One has to complete a course in core science such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, physics, and physiology to be eligible for the ultrasound technician training program.
There are different training programs offered by various schools. A certified diploma course, which is for one year, an associate degree, which is for 2 years, or a bachelor’s degree, which is for 4 years are available and depending on the background and experience, a student can choose the suitable course.
Specialized courses in the following fields are offered:
- Sectional Anatomy
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy of the heart
- Obstetric and Gynecology Ultrasound
- Physics and Instrumentation
Hands-on training and exposure in a clinical atmosphere is offered as part of the training.
Ultrasound Technician Salary and Job prospects
The salary of an ultrasound technician is quite high. The lowest salary is close to $43,500 and the highest salary percent is around $84,000 approximately. Ultrasound Technician’s who have multiple specialties have more scope of growth in their field. The job prospects vary from place to place, however, given the current economy and the rapid need for quality medical professionals, it looks quite favorable.
Ultrasound Technician Working Hours
A Ultrasound Technician could choose to work part time as well as full time.
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