Ultrasound Technician
An ultrasound technician is an allied health profession, and is available to most people as a highly desirable job because it tends to pay very well. Ultrasound technicians are also referred to more properly as a “diagnostic medical sonographer”. This refers specifically to the type of equipment used by these health professionals – the sonograph. Ultrasound technicians are not to be confused with ultrasound service technicians, who perform repairs on ultrasound machines. An ultrasound technician is trained to use a sonograph, which works by using a probe containing acoustic transducers to send pulses of sound into a patient’s body. Materials with different densities reflect the sound waves back in different ranges, so that it is detected as an echo, and from this, an image is formed digitally. Both two dimensional and three dimensional images can be created by using different techniques, and ultrasound technicians are trained to create both forms… Read the rest
The health industry is one economic area that is always growing. Over the next decade, opportunities in the health field will greatly increase. But it can take years of preparation along with thousands of dollars in tuition costs to become a doctor. A career in ultrasound is very rewarding for those who have an interest in the health field, but are not able to commit a great deal of time and finances to education.
An ultrasound technician uses sonography to help doctors detect or diagnose disease, monitor pregnancies, and treat injuries. Using sound waves, the ultrasound technician captures images that a doctor will use to assess the patient and decide on what course of action to take. Because it uses sound waves to create an image, sonography does not carry the risks or dangers associated with X-rays and MRI’s.
Ultrasound technology is a growing field with considerable promise for the… Read the rest
You may be wondering what types of jobs are available for an ultrasound technician. Most ultrasound technicians work in a doctor’s office or hospital. When you are just getting started you will be considered a general tech and may work in every situation where an ultrasound is needed. As you get more experience, you can choose the area you enjoy the most and become a specialist. Following are some of the available jobs for an ultrasound technician.
OB/GYN Ultrasound Technician
One rewarding career option is to become an OB/GYN ultrasound technician specialist. With this job you will be taking ultrasounds that deal with the female reproductive system. One of the most exciting parts of this job is working with expectant parents. You will be the one who gives them their very first chance to see their baby.
Breast Ultrasound Technician
Once you have some experience as a… Read the rest
An ultrasound technician is also known as a sonographer or ultrasonographer. Ultrasound technicians work in various fields using equipment to view organs inside the human body. The work of an ultrasound technician can be very complex, especially because there are different areas of specialty within the field that require specialized skills. A common place where most patients scanned in an ultrasound is the upper abdomen area. For most women, ultrasounds are commonly used in obstetrics and gynecology. Another specialty area is echocardiography, which reveals any heart-related concerns that a patient may have. Nuerosonology is an area of specialty where an ultrasound technician examines the brain and areas of the spinal column. Sonographers that specialize in Ophthalmology make use of an ultrasound machine to scan the eyes and correlating muscles.
Ultrasonographers prepare the procedures for an ultrasound. Since there are different areas of specialty, the salary of an ultrasound technician… Read the rest
Qualified ultrasound technicians are in demand by a wide variety of employers. Students who have completed the necessary education may find jobs in doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals or imaging centers. Salaries are attractive and job outlook is positive on the whole even for new candidates in this important medical field.
In order to receive the necessary qualifications most students complete either a two year or four year education that provides them with either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. One year programs are also available on a limited basis, however, these programs are not generally recommended unless the student already has considerable experience in the health care field and is hoping to broaden the scope of their employability.
Clearly a four year education will be more expensive than a two year associate degree. Tuition for a two year degree is likely to be at least $20,000, while students who… Read the rest
